Katie's Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety Book Tour

For many kids, stress doesn’t look like worry. It looks like panic, frustration, or shutting down.

Classroom pressure doesn’t always look the same from one child to the next. Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin, presents a thoughtful look at how internal stress can surface during a routine school experience.

Katie is typically cheerful and energetic, but tests bring on anxious feelings she has trouble explaining. Even when she knows the material, worry takes over and makes it hard for her to think clearly. During a spelling test, her anxiety becomes so intense that she cannot complete the task and reacts in a way that draws attention from others.

Rather than focusing on what went wrong, the story follows Katie as she receives calm, supportive guidance from her teacher. Through gentle conversation and practice, Katie is introduced to simple techniques that help her slow her breathing and steady her thoughts. As she begins to use these tools, she learns that nervousness before tests is something many students experience. The story emphasizes understanding emotions, learning practical coping strategies, and creating an environment where children feel supported as they work through challenging moments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Jeffrey is an author of children’s picture books, fulfilling her mission to create stories that shine with love, light, spirit, truth, and joy—helping children navigate life’s challenges, explore big emotions, and grow with courage, kindness, and wonder.

MY REVIEW

Were you ever very nervous before a test in school? Many times children will fail because they get physically ill when they are overcome with anxiety. School affects every child differently and this lovely book teaches about how we can help children like this succeed, despite their nerves.

Katie sat down to take her spelling test and started feeling awful. Her emotions caused her to get headaches, feel anxious, and her face turned bright red. After she started scribbling on her desk, her friend told the teacher.

The teacher recognized that Katie had become overwhelmed by the emotions of fear and anxiety. She showed Katie ways to breathe and use a Breathing Board. Katie’s parents were understanding and supportive, which helped Katie.

As the book ends, a really bad day was replaced with a really good day. I love how this book teaches understanding, methods of improving anxiety, and has a happy ending.

Visit Kathleen at her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4qDMemF

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210447560-katie-s-really-bad-day