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When Worry Whispers

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Ease your little one's mind with this encouraging picture book all about worry––both what it is and how God's promises can help us fight against it––written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Joyce Meyer.

When Worry whispers "What if?" and tells you about all of the bad things that might happen, it can make you scared and afraid. It can even make your tummy ache! So what should you do when Worry starts whispering to you?

In this sweetly inspiring book, Joyce Meyer instructs children to remember God's promises when Worry's "What ifs?" start creeping in. Biblical assurances of God's constant presence, love, and care will comfort little ones and remind them that God is in control––no matter what! Beautifully illustrated and scripturally sound, this book is a great resource for any child struggling with the weight of Worry.

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

1 person is currently reading
2222 people want to read

About the author

Joyce Meyer

1,668 books3,926 followers
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and one of the world's leading Bible teachers. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches practically and candidly, openly sharing her experiences and helping millions of people to apply biblical principles to their situations and ultimately find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Her book Battlefield of the Mind has been a perennial bestseller, teaching people how to win the war in their minds and “think about what they think about.”

Joyce’s Enjoying Everyday Life program is broadcast to millions worldwide in 114 languages. She has also authored over 150 books, which have been translated into over 170 combined languages, including Battlefield of the Mind, which has sold over 7 million copies across the globe. We’ve also distributed over 43.5 million books around the world.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Joyce discovered how to overcome the emotional pain of her troubled past and experience true joy, hope, and healing by applying God’s Word to her life. Her passion is to help others do the same. For more than 40 years, Joyce has held conferences across the United States and around the world, teaching God’s Word and sharing the message of Christ with millions. Joyce also encourages millions each day through social media and online efforts and resources at joycemeyer.org

Joyce’s passion to help people who are hurting is the foundation of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Each year, Hand of Hope provides millions of meals for the hungry and malnourished, installs freshwater wells in poor and remote areas, provides critical relief after natural disasters, and offers free medical and dental care to thousands through their hospitals and clinics worldwide. Through their Project GRL initiative, they rescue women and children from human trafficking, provide safe places where they can receive an education and nutritious meals, and seek to let all girls everywhere know they are loved and valued by God.

In 2023, Joyce founded Hope Mountain Ranch, an 800-acre refuge in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Inspired by her own personal journey, Hope Mountain Ranch is a place where people can experience the transformative power of God and find hope and healing. It also serves as the hub for Joyce Meyer Ministries’ outreaches across the United States.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Cover Lover Book Review.
1,547 reviews89 followers
May 28, 2023
When Worry Whispers is an adorable book that reveals that worry is no match for God. The colorful and lively illustrations steal the show with adorable depictions of tasks and thoughts that might be worrisome to young readers.

I love how the little guy in this story shows what worrying does to his daily life. The incredible artwork shows that it can creep in and take up space in our everyday thoughts and happenings. It robs us of the wonderful things that are happening despite the worry, and how we can displace worry by praying and believing what God says.

I recommend this adorable children’s book with a delightful message. Adults need the powerful message as well, so it’s a great addition to any child’s, caregivers, parents’, or grandparent’s shelf.

First Line: Do you ever wonder what if?
Genre: Children
Author: Joyce Meyer
Page Count: 32
Reading Age: 4-7

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
Profile Image for Barbara Waloven.
630 reviews45 followers
May 20, 2023
I absolutely love the illustrations in this book. Very colorful, diverse, and have plenty of detail to provide materials for discussion with young children. The book describes many things (both real and imagined) that might worry a child as they go about their day. It suggests that worry can be lessened or at least tackled by trusting in God.
Profile Image for Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase.
325 reviews62 followers
June 16, 2023
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
Scripture Connection
"Give your worries to the Lord, and He will take care of you."
Psalm 55:22

Spiritual Themes
When Worry Whispers tackles the theme of worry and offers children practical guidance about how to respond to scary situations (and imaginings!). The Scripture Connection verse is quoted, in the NCV translation, at the start of the book.

What to Expect
When Worry Whispers begins with a question, “Do you ever wonder, WHAT IF?” It’s then followed up with a series of WHAT IF questions that pose concern for children. Meyers addresses everyday fears, like falling and embarrassing ourselves or failing to make friends. She explains what worry is, and how it “imagines the worst and says, ‘It could happen to you!'”

In addition to diagnosing the problem, Meyers also offers a remedy: tell God about your worries, and remember His promises:

I will always take care of you.

I love you no matter what.

I am always with you.

I have good plans for you.

(Joyce Meyer, synthesizing Scripture)

Finally, she revisits those fears, affirming that even when we have bad days and embarrassing moments, this does not change God’s promises for us!

Bright and colorful illustrations personify Worry, bringing a tangible representation to the abstract concept.

What I Liked
Writing
I liked how realistic and practical the book is! Meyers acknowledges that some of our fears are realistic, whereas some (“What if pirates attack your house?”) are our imaginations running wild. I also appreciated that her advice is practical and specific, as she points readers to specific promises God has made, demonstrating how these promises intersect with our everyday life. She shows how God can help us through the tough situations, pointing the reader to hope, rather than to fear. At the same time, she acknowledges that sometimes our fears do happen, BUT God is in control!

Illustrations
Worry is depicted as a little gray splotch that hovers around the main character. I think this is an excellent depiction, because worry looks more like a pest than something really scary. It was fun to watch Worry’s facial expression throughout the illustrations, especially in contrast to the protagonist’s. While Worry appears anxious throughout, we see the little boy looking happier and more hopeful, as the story progresses.

I also liked the varied formats of the illustration layout, with some scenes taking up full pages and others depicted in smaller bubbles with several on a page. This makes for a dynamic reading experience.

Recommendation Status
This is one of those titles that is great for kids AND adults! Recommended for those who could use the message (or reminder) that when worry whispers…. you don’t have to listen!
Profile Image for Andrew.
798 reviews13 followers
June 4, 2023
When Worry Whispers is a how to book showing children how they should deal when worrying hits them. It begins the book by stating Psalm 55:22 and how we are supposed to give our worries to God and it reminds us that God will take care of us. Many of us struggle with the what if questions and if something bad happens to us. What if we stumble and fall and get hurt. What if we made a mistake and we are laughed at and get embarrassed. What if we try something new and fail greatly. What if tomorrow turns out to be terrible and nothing goes right. Worrying causes us to live in fear and we tend to imagine the worst thing that can happen. It can even cause us a sickness such as a bad tummy ache. Joyce shared the answer to what we need to do to combat worry. We first need to talk to God and remember how He has always taken care of us. He has provided us with promises, such as how He has great plans for us. She ends the book by going back over how we need to answer the what if questions to obtain our peace.



I would recommend this life changing book to children aged 2-9. Joyce has an excellent way in helping us teach our children about worrying and living in fear. I loved how she answered some of the what if questions and helped flip the script we are telling ourselves to help us deal with fear. I also immensely liked how they drew a dark cloud over the characters of the book that is meant to be like an invisible whisper overseeing what we are doing and telling us how we should feel. This book makes a very moving conversation starter between our kids and their worries and provides us with way to teach them how to handle them. One of the most serious ways we can use against fear is to think and ponder on God’s promises especially, when we are faced with things to worry about. This book would be a great gift to children who are burden down by the what if questions and worrying about what might happen to them.



"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords/Worthy Kids for my honest review.”




418 reviews12 followers
May 19, 2023
“But God is bigger and stronger than Worry could ever be. God’s promises will help you defeat Worry every time because Worry is no match for God!” Joyce Meyer ends her children’s book, When Worry Whispers.

~ What ~
This thirty-two-page hardbound with a matching jacket targets children four to seven years old and focuses on worrying. With colorful and engaging artwork that fills the pages, it has an easy-to-read font.

In this quick tale, a little boy with large glasses on seems to worry about everything. Whether it is falling down while roller skating, making an artwork mistake, climbing a rock wall incorrectly, or worrying about what tomorrow brings, he always imagines the worst. But when he talks to God about His promises to him, the guy stops being worried and accepts his mistakes and errors, learning that through God, he doesn’t have to be afraid or scared.

~Why ~
This is a nice story that not only encourages children to handle the angst of worrying but also reiterates to trust in God. Young ones will enjoy its happy expressions and detailed artwork. I appreciate that it promotes God is the answer.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like books about trusting in the Almighty may not approve of this book. Beginner readers may have trouble with some of the two and three-syllable words. Some may question why lucky socks are mentioned as luck has nothing to do with God.

~ Wish ~
It would be helpful if a written-out Bible verse or two about worrying were included.

~ Want ~
If your young one is tense and worried often, this book may help calm them down as it looks to God to relieve the stress.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group, WorthyKids, and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.
Profile Image for Leslie McKee.
Author 8 books72 followers
June 7, 2023
I've read and enjoyed many of Meyer's books, so I was excited to check out her latest: a children's book. And it did not disappoint.

This is a charming book that reminds readers that God is bigger than their worries. The illustrations are colorful and inviting. The book starts out be listing Psalm 55:22 ("Give your worries to the Lord, and he will take care of you." NCV) The prose is relatable to concerns many children might face. The main character clearly depicts how worry can creep into our day and steal our joy ... but that can be changed by praying and trusting God. Meyer demonstrates how we can flip the script so we live in faith vs. fear. This is a great reminder for people of any age! This book would be a wonderful addition to any child's, parent's, or grandparent's bookshelf.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,332 reviews47 followers
June 21, 2023
Joyce Meyer is a fabulous Bible teacher and author. Her books are designed to help people of all ages live their lives the way God wants them to. When Worry Whispers helps children (and maybe adults) overcome the sin of worrying. So many are tempted to focus on the negative “what ifs” - what if today is a bad day, what if people make fun of me, what if I make a mistake. Joyce Meyer takes these what ifs one at a time and shows how God can turn each of them around if we only remember God’s promises
Marcin Piwowarski illustrates each page with pictures that help readers understand what the text is discussing.
When Worry Whispers is a beautiful book for the worriers in your life (child or adult). It would be a great addition to the picture book section of a k-12 Christian school library. It may be a useful resource for those who are trying to teach the word of God to children of all ages.
I received a complimentary copy of When Worry Whispers. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Monica H (TeaandBooks).
879 reviews86 followers
June 6, 2023
It doesn't matter our age, there are times we are all tempted to worry. When Worry Whispers by Joyce Meyer is aimed at children ages four to seven. This 32-page book is a good-sized jacketed hardcover book measuring about 9 1/2 inches almost square--a great size for reading aloud or reading alone.

I think When Worry Whispers is on target for what kids may worry about and how they feel when they worry. This book is a Christian-based book with talk about God and a Bible verse at the beginning of the book. The illustrations by Marcin Piwowarski is colorful and eye-catching. I like that they include children of all colors in the pictures. This is a good book for both those struggling with worry and to remind kids that aren't worrying yet that they don't need to because God cares for them.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.
173 reviews
July 6, 2023
I really liked this book! It was a great one to read with my son who is 8. I was a child who asked "what if" a lot so I could relate to this book as could my son. I liked the characterization of worry as the little gray cloud hanging around. Isn't that typical of worry for us? Lurking in the background and ready to make itself known in new or scary situations?

Reading this book is a helpful reminder to children (and adults) of God's comforting presence with us. This book is a good tool to use to start a conversation with your child about things they worry about and talk through solutions and reality.

I received a copy of this book from Hachette reviewer program for my honest review.
Profile Image for Michaela.
12 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2023
I love the illustrations, they are detailed and bright and playful and I also love how the book starts; “What if I stumble and tumble…” and “What if I make a mistake and everyone laughs?” It goes on to present a positive message about God and saying everything will be okay. However there were a few pages that read a bit too preachy like they were saying to never worry at all rather than reassuring young readers that it is okay and normal to have worries as long as they don’t control you. Overall I would still recommend this book because it can be a complicated subject and it does do a pretty good job at presenting the topic in a fun, relatable and easy manner for young children to understand.

Thanks to Goodreads, Joyce Meyer, and WorthyKids publishing for providing me with a copy.
20 reviews
December 3, 2024
I absolutely loved this book, this was my first time reading it and it was amazing. This book is wonderfully written and amazingly illustrated. This book goes through what a worry is and what it can do. This is an important thing for students to learn about because they need to know what their options are when they are worrying about something. This is a Christian themed book so, it is diverse and would be a good addition to my classroom library. This would allow students who may have a Christian background to feel seen and it allows them to read about something they believe in. Overall, this book would be a wonderful read for my future students and especially a wonderful read to my future children.
20 reviews
December 9, 2024
This book helps readers who deal with stress and anxiety, help them understand the meaning of it, and how to feel the emotions in a safe way. The story shows the audience a girl who learns how to handle the worry and fear she has by trusting in God to handle it for her, as well as constantly thinking positively in negative times. I believe that this book shows readers great advice while dealing with these types of issues, and how to not drown in these thoughts and how to stay confidence during hard times.
20 reviews
April 27, 2025
I personally don't agree with the message this book is trying to promote. Religion and Christianity aside I do not believe in telling students to just wash their worries away. Some students may struggle with severe anxiety and there are multiple techniques students can use to work through it. This book does not apply to all students in a classroom and does not feel like a valid addition to a classroom library. I think there are ways to introduce faith in a story without reducing their feelings. However, I did enjoy the way the author described worry throughout the start of the book.
Profile Image for Rachel.
179 reviews
June 9, 2023
This book is excellent for talking with your children about worry, fear, and/or anxiety with a faith-based perspective. I love it because it deals with a tough topic that kids may not always know how to express. It's written on a level that I think kids could readily identify with and it's wonderfully illustrated. Even as an adult, I found the content very encouraging and uplifting. Special thanks to LibraryThing and the publisher for granting me this free copy!
Profile Image for Orsayor.
752 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2023
When Worry Whispers by Joyce Meyer is a beautifully illustrated and comforting picture book that helps children understand and overcome worry. Through relatable storytelling and biblical promises, Meyer guides young readers to find solace in God’s love and care. With its inspiring message and captivating illustrations, this book is a valuable resource for any child struggling with the weight of worry.
955 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2023
The art in this is great and the toddler I read it to loved coming back again and again to the page with the bus.

That said, even as someone who has nothing against Christianity, the message was an absolute turn off. If you're going to use God to reassure young children, I don't think you should dismiss their worries outright in the same turn. It felt too much like teaching bad coping skills while reading this out loud. We ended up making our own story up as we read along.
22 reviews
December 7, 2024
I’ve really loved this story, it is a message of children who learns about god. God is someone we can talk too, pray too, and tell all of our promises. His message to our children is to not worry that everything will happen for a reason. We will continue to live our lives of not fearing what’s happening tomorrow but it is promised. With every worry you may have god is by your side through all of your hardships. I doesn’t have to be a message about those who love god, and speak him but a message to stay fearful and keep pushing through the challenges.
Profile Image for Amber Ginter Johnson.
56 reviews11 followers
May 24, 2023
I've never known Joyce Meyer to write children's books, but she did a fantastic job. As a mental health activist myself, it's crucial that our children know and understand how to respond to emotions like worry, fear, and anxiety. The illustrations are stunning, and the meaning behind the book is a great lesson for kids. I would recommend it for little kids.
Profile Image for Susan Shipe.
Author 46 books15 followers
May 27, 2023
Joyce knocks it out of the park with her children's book about worry and anxiety. Beautifully illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski, this book is a must for our precious littles as they navigate 21st century life with its worries and anxieties.

The big question, "What if," is addressed on every page and the promises of God are made tangible for children.

Highly recommended for children 5 and up.
Profile Image for Molly.
3,325 reviews
Read
September 14, 2024
Okay, shame on me for not seeing the author and realizing that this was going to be religious. Hence, I am not rating it. For families who talk about God, here you go- kids worry alot and it's good to have a resource for reassuring them. For families who don't talk about God, or who want to teach kids some coping skills, this one is a real pass.
Profile Image for Joshua McMullen.
21 reviews
October 10, 2024
This is a cute book written by renowned Pastor and spokesperson, Joyce Meyer. This picture book is to show children that worry is no match for God and that when we leave our worries with God he will give us peace about a situation. This book is aimed for children of Christian faith or of Godly faith.
20 reviews
November 20, 2024
This was a really great message for young kids, and even adults, who struggle with things like worry and anxiety. I am a very anxious and worry filled person, so I loved this book! Teaching young children to bring all of their problems to God is the best thing we can do as a parent, if these are your beliefs. These are mine and I will definitely have this book in my future home!
20 reviews
December 8, 2024
Though this is a religious book, It teachers students how to overcome anxiety and fear through finding peace and faith. The author shares her personal experience and advice on how she maintains her emotions. This book would be helpful for students who are seeking religious guidance or are trying to ease their anxiety through faith.
2,345 reviews7 followers
July 4, 2025
I am planning to gift this to a friend's grandchild but was not aware of recent controversy surrounding the author until after ordering.

The book starts by presenting worries and then segues into reminders about God and His promises.

I don't think the recent controversy is reflected within this book's message, but others might disagree.
Profile Image for Brittany.
271 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2025
What a sweet book! It is always helpful to find books that point children back to the truth when feelings or circumstances try to take over. The illustrations are also so cute and relatable!


I received a copy from Worthy Kids for LibraryThing's Early Reviewers June 2025 batch. A positive review is not required & all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for KarnagesMistress.
1,240 reviews12 followers
May 21, 2023
When I was little I didn't particularly care for religious children's books that were chock-full of Bible verses. There is only one Bible verse in this entire book, yet I believe Joyce Meyer's words successfully conveyed the message that you needn't worry, God will take care of you. The artwork was charming, too. I think my child self would have liked When Worry Whispers. I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
Profile Image for Kristina.
1,166 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2023
I thought that this was a cute book. I think that kids have a lot to worry about sometimes and it's good to know that God is there for you. I hope that we all can remember that as we get older in life. I think that the illustrations were wonderful as well. I would recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,416 reviews169 followers
May 28, 2024
Lovely cadence, beautiful illustrations and a nice variety of potentially worrisome circumstances that children will certainly be able to relate to as some of their own.

The ending, "Worry is no match for God" is pitch perfect!
Profile Image for Alicia Steagall.
106 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2023
Excellent Christian book for children to help ease and relax there mind from worrying. Worry is normal, but it’s okay, great story for children and adults alike!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews