Katie's Really Bad day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin

 

Katie's Really Bad Day by Kathleen Jeffrey Illustrated by Susan Kilmartin
Published:  February 17th, 2025 by Kathleen Jeffrey
Format:  Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
Pages: 30 

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Moments of anxiety can reshape an entire school day for a child. In Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin, one student’s stress escalates during a familiar routine.

Although Katie generally enjoys school, test days trigger uncomfortable feelings she struggles to control. When a spelling test begins, her anxiety intensifies, making it impossible for her to think clearly or stay on task. Her reaction draws attention and leaves her feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed.

Rather than reacting with frustration, Katie’s teacher offers calm reassurance and guidance. Katie learns simple breathing and calming strategies that help her manage anxious moments. As she practices these tools, she begins to understand that feeling nervous before tests is common and does not define her abilities. Over time, these techniques become shared and normalized, creating a supportive atmosphere focused on emotional awareness and reassurance.

Q&A with Kathleen Jeffrey:

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 Voist & Ray Cruz Total Classic! (Happiest)

Excerpts:

My thoughts:

Katie's Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand and cope with their anxiety. Each illustration feels like a small portrait, capturing the children's facial expressions and playful energy with lifelike detail. The characters are relatable; the colors are vibrant and full of emotion and Katie's anxiety is portrayed with sensitivity.

I loved the moments when Katie talked with her parents and how encouraging they were. Her teacher, Miss Julie, also calmly explains what's happening and gives her practical, concrete strategies to help Katie relax and refocus during tests. These scenes brought me back to my days working with individuals with cognitive impairments. We used a similar approach called Brain Gym, created by Gail and Paul Dennison. One of our techniques was the "lazy eight," where you repeatedly draw an infinity symbol to support focus and attention. This cross-lateral integration exercise is designed to get the right and left hemispheres of the brain warmed up before writing. It's a very calming and useful technique and I was happy to see it included in the book.

Overall, it's a comforting, heartfelt, and authentic story that speaks to the anxiety many children experience and inspires them with practical skills they can use. This would make a wonderful read-aloud to children and I can see this being utilized by teachers as a means to open up discussions about children's feelings and fears with test taking. Highly recommend.

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 or Instagram