Ruby’s Worry: questions to ask and activities to try
Ruby's worry starts small, and grows bigger every day she keeps it to herself. Ruby's Worry gives a child a picture for that feeling, and shows telling someone as the thing that helps.
What age is it for? Ruby’s Worry is best for ages 4–7. Good for: A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves.
Ruby’s Worry (Tom Percival)
- Age
- 4-7
- Best for
- A child whose worry grows while they keep it to themselves
The worry is never treated as silly. Ask what Ruby's worry looked like, and what made it shrink. Then talk about who your child could tell, and that worries often get smaller once they're shared.
Why I like this one
Ruby's Worry is one of the books I'd recommend most often. It shows something I think children really need to hear: a worry you keep to yourself tends to grow, and talking about it makes it smaller.
I'd read it on an ordinary day, not only when your child is worried, so the idea is already familiar when they need it. Afterwards, you could ask, “If a worry was a shape, what would it look like?” Drawing it can be easier than saying it.
Apoorva, Growing Wise
What it helps with
- Keeping worries to yourself
- Telling someone about a worry
- Anxiety that grows quietly
- Noticing when others have worries too
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “If your worry had a shape, what might it look like?”
- “Why did Ruby's worry keep growing?”
- “Why didn't Ruby tell anyone at first?”
- “What made the worry get smaller?”
- “Who could you tell if you had a worry?”
- “How did Ruby help the boy at the end?”
5-minute activities to try together
Draw your worry
Draw your worry together, then decide who you could tell about it.
Worry shrinking
Draw a worry big, then draw it again smaller after talking about it. Talk about what made it shrink.
Free printables: Ruby’s Worry worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Feeling scared, and using your wits
- Age
- 3-6
Stick Man (Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler)
- Best for
- Missing home or family, and being away from people you love
- Age
- 3-6
The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)
- Best for
- Talking about worries
- Age
- 5-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.