There is a point in almost every school year when a child decides school is scary.

Sometimes it happens before the first day. Sometimes it comes after a difficult assignment, a friendship problem or the realization that everyone else seems to know exactly what to do. As an educator, I saw those worries in children of every age — including students who appeared perfectly confident on the outside.

One of the tools I used in the classroom was also one of the simplest: a good book.

Reading about a character who is nervous, makes mistakes or has trouble fitting in gives children a safe way to talk about their own feelings. Instead of asking, “Are you afraid?” I could ask, “Why do you think this character feels that way?” More often than not, the conversation eventually became personal.

Here are several books I would recommend for helping children build confidence at school:

  • The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn — Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to leave his mother and go to school. This is especially helpful for younger children dealing with separation anxiety or a new school experience.
  • First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg — A favorite because of its surprise ending. Sarah Jane Hartwell is terribly nervous about the first day at a new school — and children discover that students aren’t the only ones who can have first-day jitters.
  • The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds — Vashti believes she can’t draw until a teacher encourages her to make one simple mark. It’s a wonderful opening for talking about trying something even when we don’t believe we’ll be good at it.
  • Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes — Chrysanthemum loves her unusual name until classmates tease her about it. The story opens conversations about teasing, self-worth and appreciating what makes each person different.
  • After the Fall by Dan Santat — Humpty Dumpty survives his famous fall, but afterward he is afraid of heights. His journey back to doing something he loves offers children a powerful lesson about fear, persistence and courage.

I learned that the most important part often came after the last page.

That’s when I would ask questions such as: Have you ever felt that way? What helped the character? What could you try if that happened to you?

Children don’t need to be told that they should never be afraid. They need to learn that being afraid doesn’t mean they can’t move forward.

Sometimes confidence begins with raising a hand, walking through a classroom door or trying something one more time.

And sometimes it begins with a book.

Young Reader’s Shelf is a KnoxTNToday feature connecting children and families with books that entertain, encourage and open the door to conversation.

Enjoyed this article. Read more Young Reader’s Shelf by KnoxTNToday.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter. Comments may be sent to news@knoxtntoday.com.