The most recommended books about fear

Who picked these books? Meet our 83 experts.

83 authors created a book list connected to fear, and here are their favorite fear books.
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What type of fear book?

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Book cover of Jabari Jumps

Jeff Mack Author Of Scaredy Cats

From my list on childrenā€™s picture books about facing your fears.

Why am I passionate about this?

If you want to live your best life, youā€™ll need to face some fears. Iā€™ve faced a lot of my fears: great white sharks, sky-diving, caves, spiders, meat sauces. Iā€™m still scared, but what else can I do? Stay in bed my whole life? I love writing and illustrating for kids. Itā€™s how Iā€™ve spent the last twenty years. Iā€™ve written and/or illustrated almost fifty books. The scariest part is figuring out how to start. Thinking of an ending is scary too. Then thereā€™s all that stuff in the middle. Ugh! My first books about facing fears were Hippo and Rabbit. Now, Scaredy Cats. Fear gives me ideas!

Jeff's book list on childrenā€™s picture books about facing your fears

Jeff Mack Why did Jeff love this book?

I feel like I lived this story as a kid. Iā€™ll bet a lot of kids do. A young boy overcomes his fear of the high dive. 

Step by step, Gaia Cornwall takes us through Jabariā€™s jump. Jabari starts by telling his dad heā€™s not scared at all. He clearly is. He delays, makes excuses. Dad never pushes. He wants this to be Jabariā€™s decision, Jabariā€™s victory. Itā€™s so relatable, the perspective even changes to first person once Jabari is high above the pool. 

Everything rings true. Itā€™s exactly what a scared kid would say and do. Itā€™s exactly what I said and did when I was Jabariā€™s age trying to summon my own courage on the high dive. Except when I hit the water, my swim trunks fell off.

By Gaia Cornwall,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Jabari Jumps as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for. Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take theirā€¦


Book cover of Swim Team

Misty Wilson Author Of Play Like a Girl

From my list on graphic novels featuring girls who persevere.

Why am I passionate about this?

Growing up, if I wasnā€™t good at something right away, Iā€™d quit. I didnā€™t want to embarrass myself in front of others. Because of that, I never experienced how great it felt to overcome obstacles, to succeed at something hardā€”until I played football. Girls Who Persevere is an important topic to me because so often, girls are treated as if theyā€™re inferior or incapable. Itā€™s ingrained in them that they shouldnā€™t try certain things (like football!), and if they fail at first, it must mean they canā€™t do it. I think itā€™s important to see strong girls doing big things, even when theyā€™re hard. These books show just that.

Misty's book list on graphic novels featuring girls who persevere

Misty Wilson Why did Misty love this book?

My favorite thing about this graphic novel is easily the Black history that is woven into this fictional story. As someone whoā€™s always struggled with anxiety, I love how the main characterā€™s anxiety is depicted in the story. Though she doesnā€™t know how to swim, and sheā€™s scared of the water, Bree leaves her comfort zone. This book is a must-read for kids. It feels important.

By Johnnie Christmas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Swim Team as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid

A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas!

Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees-until she's stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she's forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta,ā€¦


Book cover of Jabari Jumps
Book cover of Swim Team

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