Separation anxiety in kids can be challenging. Read these children’s books about separation anxiety to help your child cope with these difficult feelings.
Imagine 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.
Children’s books about separation anxiety
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Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs by Susan Schaefer Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher
Wherever You’ll Be by Ariella Prince Guttman and Geneviève Godbout
Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell
Mommy Always Comes Back to You by Christine Yeung and Anna Liang
See You Soon by Dilraz Kunnummal
Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety by Steve Herman
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
A Little SPOT of Anxiety by Diane Alber
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper
I Miss You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore
Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris
Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt and Jane Dyer
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman and Kathy Parkinson
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton
Get more tips:
- Effective Techniques to Help Your Child’s Separation Anxiety at Night
- How to Gently Handle Separation Anxiety in Babies
- What You Need to Know About Separation Anxiety
- 8 Keys to Explaining Emotions to Your Child
- What to Do when Your Toddler Prefers One Parent
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:
Thank you so much for including my book on this nice list.
KA
My please, Kathi! Thanks so much for dropping by! ~Nina
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!
Absolutely, Shana. One of the best ways to talk about things with kids is through books.