Black Lagoon Bind-Up

A parent should reach for this book when their child is expressing big, imaginative fears about starting school or facing a new situation. The Black Lagoon series validates a child's anxiety by taking it to a silly, monstrous extreme. The stories follow a young boy named Hubie, whose wild imagination turns his teacher, principal, librarian, and other school staff into literal, goofy monsters. Each story humorously builds up the scary expectation, only to reveal a kind, normal person in the end. This funny and repetitive formula is perfect for ages 6 to 9, offering a low-stakes way to talk about how our worries can feel huge, but reality is usually much friendlier. It's an excellent tool for externalizing anxiety and laughing at it together.