Children’s Books about Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety in kids can be challenging. Read these children’s books about separation anxiety to help your child cope with these difficult feelings.

Children's Books about Separation AnxietyImagine the infant who cries the instant her parents put her down, or the preschooler who has to let go of daddy’s hand and stay with his new teacher.

Whether it’s the first day of school or meeting a new sitter, dealing with separation anxiety isn’t easy on anyone. You might get annoyed (“Why does he cry every time I step five feet away?”), worried (“How is he coping in his new school?”), or downright frustrated.

Despite these emotions that separation anxiety riles up in us, it’s actually quite normal and even beneficial, especially when faced with a new environment. All kids feel it at some point—a healthy sign that they know whom to trust.

They just might need a little help understanding the situation and feel reassured that mom or dad will always pick them up after daycare. That we’ll come back after stepping away to the kitchen, and that we’ll be there in the morning after a whole night’s sleep.

One of the best ways to talk about these scenarios is by reading about them with your child. Take a look at these children’s books about separation anxiety to help your child learn how to cope. He’ll realize that others feel the same way, feel reassured that it’s normal, and learn how to manage his feelings.

Anxiety in Children

Children’s books about separation anxiety

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Schaefer Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher

Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Schaefer Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher

Wherever You'll Be by Ariella Prince Guttman and Geneviève Godbout

Wherever You’ll Be by Ariella Prince Guttman and Geneviève Godbout

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell

Mommy Always Comes Back to You by Christine Yeung and Anna Liang

Mommy Always Comes Back to You by Christine Yeung and Anna Liang

See You Soon by Dilraz Kunnummal

See You Soon by Dilraz Kunnummal

Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety by Steve Herman

Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety by Steve Herman

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

A Little SPOT of Anxiety by Diane Alber

A Little SPOT of Anxiety by Diane Alber

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick

Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper

I Miss You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore

I Miss You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore

Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris

Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris

Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt

Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt and Jane Dyer

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

No Matter What by Debi Gliori

No Matter What by Debi Gliori

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

When I Miss You by Cornelia Spelman

When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman and Kathy Parkinson

The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton

The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton

Get more tips:

Free printables: Want even more book ideas? Join my newsletter and grab your Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:

Read Aloud Book List

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. Kathi Appelt says:

    Thank you so much for including my book on this nice list.
    KA

    1. My please, Kathi! Thanks so much for dropping by! ~Nina

  2. We love books! They can help kids understand so much, but sometimes they help parents understand too. I am sending my last little one off to preschool next fall I think we may have to make a trip to the library!

    1. Absolutely, Shana. One of the best ways to talk about things with kids is through books.