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

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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.

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.