The Worry Balloon — Monica Mancillas

A thoughtful and reassuring picture book about how one child experiences anxiety, and what kids can do to manage their worries. Perfect for social-emotional learning and Back to School reading, The Worry Balloon includes a guide for kids to build their own worry tool bag that children and caregivers alike can use when faced with anxiety and change.

On the first day of school, Isla's mind plays the what if game. Scary thoughts come, the world goes dark, and everything feels stormy.

With Mami at her side, Isla takes a deep breath and blows her worries away in a big balloon. But as school gets closer, Isla's worries come back like a tornado. Mami encourages her to imagine something happy, and Isla remembers there's nothing she can't handle.

The storm might come again, but for now, her mind is quiet.