Spring 2025

What to Do When Fear Interferes

A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Phobias

From the Series What-to-Do Guides for Kids

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Can kids learn to face their fears? Absolutely—and this workbook helps them do it step by step!

Lots of kids feel nervous about things like spiders, heights, or loud noises. But when fear starts getting in the way of everyday fun, it’s time to take action—and this book is here to help.

What to Do When Fear Interferes is a friendly, interactive guide that helps kids understand their fears and build the confidence to face them. With engaging activities, colorful illustrations, and expert strategies, this workbook helps kids face their fears with confidence and courage.

Whether your child is afraid of the dark, dogs, or something else entirely, this book offers a safe space to explore those feelings and discover how brave they really are.

Key Features:

  • Written for kids ages 6–12 who struggle with phobias or overwhelming fears
  • Step-by-step tools based on cognitive-behavioral therapy to help kids manage anxiety
  • Encourages emotional awareness and builds resilience through creative exercises
  • Helps kids identify triggers, challenge scary thoughts, and take brave steps forward
  • Part of the trusted What-to-Do Guides for Kids series—used by parents, educators, and therapists for more than 20 years
  • Includes a supportive guide for parents and caregivers to help kids succeed
  • Created by Magination Press, the children’s imprint of the American Psychological Association—trusted experts in children’s mental health and well-being
Format Your Price Add
978-1-4338-2974-1
$16.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on library bound hardcovers and all eBook and eBook with Audio editions when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Copyright 2019
Publisher Magination Press, American Psychological Association
Imprint Magination Press — American Psychological Association
Language English
Number of Pages 88
Publication Date 2025-01-01
BISACS JNF024140, JNF053160, JNF001000
Dimensions 8.5 x 11
Features Glossary, Index, Original artwork, and Table of contents

Author: Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD

Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, working for more than thirty-five years with youth and their families. She is interested in bringing the general principles of cognitive–behavioral therapy to families everywhere.

Author: Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD

Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, is the author of multiple award-winning books for kids and teens which focus on topics in psychology. Prior to her writing career, she spent thirty-five years as a clinical child and family psychologist and served as chief facilitator for a medical resources project with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Carnegie Mellon University.

Illustrator: Janet McDonnell

Janet McDonnell’s illustrations combine traditional media and digital techniques. In addition to illustrating books, magazines, and puzzles, Janet has both taught and written for children from preschool to high school ages.