Book Description
Children often struggle to explain feelings that feel too big to name. In Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin, anxiety quietly interrupts learning and reveals the importance of gentle guidance and understanding.
Katie typically feels happy and confident, but tests cause her anxiety to spike. When a spelling test begins, physical sensations and racing thoughts make it impossible for her to focus. Her reaction draws attention and leaves her feeling embarrassed and uncertain.
Instead of punishment, the story centers on a compassionate response from Katie’s teacher. Through conversation and practice, Katie is introduced to calming strategies that help her regulate her breathing and slow her thoughts. As she begins to use these tools, she learns that anxiety before tests is common among students. The narrative highlights how understanding emotions and learning coping techniques can help children regain confidence and feel supported during stressful academic moments.
Q&A
What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read—but you secretly hope someone notices?
Empathetic, concerned faces of Katie’s teacher, Mom & Dad, and her classmates when Katie is upset. No one is making fun of her.
When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it?
During critique group sessions with a long manuscript, I discovered I actually had two books to write. The first became Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety, to identify Katie’s character with school & test anxiety, which is based on my personal story I had to tell for authenticity. The second book will feature Katie once again and will be illustrated sometime this year.
Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why?
Katie’s sidekick Finn turned out to be quite the entertaining cut up as well a very concerned and empathetic friend.
If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with?
“Inside Out” by Michael Giacchino, (From joyful school yard to Katie’s sudden test anxiety.)
“When I Breathe” by Stephanie Leavell (Learning belly breathing with Miss Julie and later with the class.)
“When I’m Nervous” (A song for kids about overcoming anxiety.)
Overall story wrap up. Would play at the end of the book.
What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book?
That many students are anxious in school or before tests so you are not the only one. Because you are anxious before a test does not mean you are not smart or capable.
Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn.
I was determined to have Mom take Katie into school the day she did not want to go because that was my personal experience. Through teacher critique partner advice and their experiences with children in today’s classrooms, I realized Katie would have to take the bus, work through it and tell Miss Julie what was going on.
If your protagonist (or the central figure in your nonfiction) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be?
Lots of kids get anxious before tests! Let your teacher and caregivers know when you are anxious. There are always solutions!
What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book?
My second grade elementary classroom and getting caught having scratched on my varnished desk was a deep rooted memory. A boy noticed it and yelled out to the teacher. She was very angry and scolded me in front of the class. I was so embarrassed I refused to go to school the next day so my mom had to bring me in and talk to the teacher.
What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely shocked you?
Through my research on childhood, school and test anxiety, I learned test anxiety can start as early as second through fourth grade and may lead to underachievement. Between this research, writing my bio, interviewing my mom, older sister, adult neighbor and childhood classmates, I was able to make connections. The seeds of my overall school anxiety started with significant separation anxiety my first three weeks of kindergarten. By fourth grade my overall school anxiety did lead to test anxiety and eventually underachievement. Anxiety triggers fear and panic which makes it hard to concentrate when learning new concepts or taking notes while trying to keep up with the teacher or actually taking a test.
If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story?
Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cooke (Classic, Funny, Popular)
The Big Feelings Book for Children: Mindfulness Moments to Manage Anger, Excitement, Anxiety, and Sadness by Sharon Selby MA (Respectable, Useful, Popular)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst & Ray Cruz Total Classic! (Happiest)
Find KATIE’S REALLY BAD DAY at Amazon.
KATHLEEN JEFFREY is an author of children’s picture books, fulfilling her mission to create stories that shine with love, light, spirit, truth, and joy—helping children navigate life’s challenges, explore big emotions, and grow with courage, kindness, and wonder.
Visit Kathleen at her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4qDMemF
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210447560-katie-s-really-bad-day
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