Recommended books
Books for parents and the kids they love
Our own books, plus the reading we recommend most often to families working through anxiety and OCD.
01 / From our team
Books by Dr. Khanna and Dr. Kendall
Practical, research-based guides from the creators of Coping Cat, written for parents and for kids.
The Resilience Recipe: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Fearless Kids in the Age of Anxiety
Muniya S. Khanna, PhD, & Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP · Foreword by David H. Barlow, PhDWe live in an age of anxiety. Between a changing climate, economic stress, a global pandemic, social media, and academic pressure, it’s no wonder kids are anxious and stressed out. The good news is that you can help your child manage anxiety and stress, no matter what life throws their way.
The Resilience Recipe gives parents the same gold-standard strategies used in hospitals and clinics around the world, so you can help your child build emotional resilience and adaptability, worry less, and thrive.
Find the book ›
The Worry Workbook for Kids: Helping Children to Overcome Anxiety and the Fear of Uncertainty
Muniya S. Khanna, PhD, & Deborah Roth Ledley, PhDAnxiety management strategies based on the most rigorous science, in your child’s hands.
Worry and stress take a heavy toll on kids, both mentally and physically, and rates of anxiety in children are rising. Learning to handle stress early can set kids up for a lifetime of happiness and success. This workbook gives them the tools to do just that, with 25 activities.
Find the book ›02 / For parents
Books that may be helpful for parents
Recommended reading on anxiety, OCD, separation anxiety and school refusal, and building resilience. Open a topic to see its titles.
Anxiety 7
- You and Your Anxious Child: Free Your Child from Fears and Worries and Create a Joyful Family LifeAlbano, A. M., with Pepper, L. (2013). Avery/Penguin.
- The Coping Cat Parent CompanionKendall, P. C., Podell, J., & Gosch, E. (2010). Workbook Publishing.
- Freeing Your Child from Anxiety: Powerful, Practical Solutions to Overcome Your Child’s Fears, Worries, and PhobiasChansky, T. (2004). Broadway Books.
- Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for ParentsRapee, R., Spence, S., Cobham, V., & Wignall, A. (2008). New Harbinger.
- Help for Worried Kids: How Your Child Can Conquer Anxiety and FearLast, C. (2006). Guilford Press.
- Your Anxious Child: How Parents and Teachers Can Relieve Anxiety in ChildrenDacey, J., & Fiore, L. (2001). Jossey-Bass.
- The Worried Child: Recognizing Anxiety in Children and Helping Them HealFoxman, P. (2004). Hunter House.
OCD 3
- Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Powerful, Practical Program for Parents of Children and AdolescentsChansky, T. (2001). Three Rivers Press.
- What to Do When Your Child Has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Strategies and SolutionsWagner, A. P. (2002). Lighthouse Press.
- OCD in Children and Adolescents: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment ManualMarch, J. S., & Mulle, K. (1998). Guilford Press.
Separation anxiety and school refusal 1
- Helping Your Child Overcome Separation Anxiety or School Refusal: A Step-by-Step Guide for ParentsEisen, A. R., Engler, L. B., & Sparrow, J. (2006). New Harbinger.
Sensitivity and negative thinking 2
- The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms ThemAron, E. N. (2002). Three Rivers Press.
- Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking: Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and HappinessChansky, T. (2008). Da Capo Lifelong Books.
03 / For kids and teens
Books that may be helpful for children and teens
Stories and first-hand accounts kids can read on their own or with you. See also our workbooks for teens.
For younger children 4
- What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming AnxietyHuebner, D., & Matthews, B. (2005). Magination Press.
- Night Light: A Story for Children Afraid of the DarkDutro, J., & Boyle, K. (1991). Magination Press.
- Cat’s Got Your Tongue? A Story for Children Afraid to SpeakSchaefer, C. E., & Friedman, J. (1992). Magination Press.
- Up and Down the Worry Hill: A Children’s Book about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Its TreatmentWagner, A. P., & Jutton, P. A. (2004). Lighthouse Press.
For teens 2
- Kissing DoorknobsHesser, T. S., & Allen, A. J. (1999). Laurel Leaf.
- The Thought That Counts: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager’s Experience with Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderKant, J. D., Franklin, M. E., & Andrews, L. W. (2008). Oxford University Press.
Have an article, measure, or book to suggest? Our web editor, Dr. Muniya Khanna, would love to hear about it.
Suggest a resourceLinks to outside retailers are provided as a service and are not an endorsement. Some older titles may have newer editions.