The Worry Bug Project was funded by The Rata Foundation, Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and the New Zealand Red Cross. The project included book-based resources, videos and support materials for families, schools and mental health/support professionals.  The Worry Bug Project was created and authored by Sarina Dickson & Julie Burgess-Manning. For more information visit The Worry Bug website, or Facebook page.

Wishes & Worries Written by Sarina Dickson, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
He kanehe, he manatunatu  Written by Sarina Dickson, translated by Kaharau Keogh, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
Dan is always listening for the sounds of danger. He is listening so hard that sometimes he doesn’t hear the people around him. His Mum and his teacher wish he would pay attention! If only they knew how hard Dan was trying and how much he wished his worries would vanish.
Wishes and Worries is an easy read aloud story that has applications for use in the classroom and at home.  An excellent starting point to chat with children about worries with practical solutions for how to manage them.  The lesson plans in the back can be easily adapted for use at home to extend the story.
This book is designed for 4-8 year olds to be read aloud in the classroom, and then used in conjunction with the exercises included to address mild to moderate anxiety in children. The exercises, aligned with the National Curriculum,  will help children identify their worries, find ways to talk about them, and provide strategies for managing them.  Wishes and Worries has also been enjoyed at home for children that have general worries.
This is part one of a two part resource. Part two is a home-based book consisting of another story and exercises for the child's family to work through which was authored by psychologist Julie Burgess-Manning. The whole resource is founded on principles of cognitive behavioural and narrative therapy and uses home-school scaffolding to support change.
Rising Tide Written by Sarina Dickson, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
He Tai Pari  Written by Sarina Dickson, translated by Kaharau Keogh, illustrated by Jenny Cooper
To most people, Ari McInnis is just an ordinary kid. And that's just the way Ari likes it, because he's got some secrets that he doesn't want to share-not with anybody. But then somethign happens that threatens to expose Ari's secrets to everyone...
Rising Tide is an engaging story for 8-12 year olds that follows Ari and his family through some big events. The book explores themes of worry, family bonds, self-belief, resilience and self-doubt. ​ In the back you'll find curriculum linked lesson plans, and notes and exercises for families. 
The concept of Home and School Scaffolding is at the heart of this resource. Home and School Scaffolding utilises the trusted attachment relationships children have within their homes and schools to support them to develop their emotional intelligence. The activities for classrooms and homes have been informed by evidence-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Narrative Therapy, and by the objectives of the New Zealand Curriculum.