Nellie in Knots: Talent Show Trouble

Hilarious, heartwarming, and secretly packed with tips from a clinical psychologist, Nellie in Knots is the perfect read for anxious kids.

“Nellie is a treasure who deserves to find a home on every bookshelf!!!  She is so beautifully relatable, and her life experiences will help even the most anxious child feel that they are no longer alone. This is an incredible gift for any individual who has felt the sting of rejection or a sense of being different. I cannot wait to watch Nellie grow up and share more of her life-changing trials and tribulations!”—Melissa Bernstein, author of LifeLines and creator of Melissa and Doug Toys

“Readers will cheer for Nellie as she faces her worries head-on, while they learn some great skills for managing anxiety in the process.”—Dr. Torrey A. Creed, PhD; Assistant Professor, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania; Founder, Penn Collaborative for CBT and Implementation Science

“Nellie in Knots is candid, witty, and relatable, with a nod to evidence based cognitive behavioral strategies to manage anxiety. A great read for all kids!”—Dr. Andrea Mazza, clinical psychologist, and Founder and Co-Director of The Center for Anxiety and OCD in Chicago, Illinois

Nellie has worry thoughts—lots of them. Math class. Parties. Lightning. Catastrophes in the making! But when Ms. Rubinflaker announces a class talent show, it's officially too much. Can Nelly conquer her anxiety, or will it be the biggest disaster of the year? 

Anxious kiddos will instantly find a friend in Nellie in Knots, the funny, heartwarming story of Nellie, her talking bird Larry, and her journey to navigate one of today's most common childhood challenges: anxiety.

Told in humorous, first-person narrative and filled with funny doodles and illustrations, the book is both earnest and humorous—a perfect balance to help anxious kids find validation and guidance through their own nervous struggles.

Best of all, author-psychologist Amy Neeren, PhD, weaves in practical tips and practices to help kids take control of worry thoughts of their own.