Wilma Jean the Worry Machine

Wilma Jean is a little girl who worries about everything. She experiences the many phases of anxiety, from “what if” to worry to full-blown anxiety, but with help and guidance she works through her feelings and emotions, develops a plan to deal with her anxiety, and learns strategies for self-regulation. This picture book, with engaging visual elements and rich vocabulary, presents an authentic representation of children with anxiety and can be used as a read-aloud and discussion starter about feelings, worries, self-regulation, and developing strategies to manage worries before they escalate, and would be at home in a school or classroom library. Social considerations noted.