Katie’s Really Bad Day

School days don’t always go as planned. Katie’s Really Bad Day shows how anxiety can quickly reshape a familiar classroom routine for a child.

About Katie’s Really Bad Day

Title: Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety

Author: Kathleen Jeffrey

Illustrator: Susan Kilmartin

Released: November 17, 2025

Find it: Amazon and Goodreads

It’s spelling test day and Katie feels anxious…

Cheerful fun-loving Katie sometimes gets anxious before tests, even when she knows the answers. One day Katie’s feelings were so enormous, she panics and can’t seem to do the test at all. She even disrupts the entire class. Luckily, with the guidance of her teacher, Katie discovers calming tools to soothe her nerves. Soon, the whole class is joining Katie to beat that test stress!

A beautifully illustrated relatable story with teaching points and practical advice for anxious kids.

Review for Katie’s Really Bad Day

This sweet, relatable story hits home—especially if you’ve ever seen how test anxiety can completely derail a capable kid. Katie has no trouble spelling… until test time, when nerves take over. Thankfully, she’s supported by a kind, patient teacher you can’t help but root for, along with a thoughtful moment of conflict resolution with a classmate that adds extra heart to the story.

The illustrations are a standout, perfectly capturing both the emotions and the journey Katie is on. Best of all, the book reassures kids that they’re not alone while offering practical, kid-friendly strategies to help manage anxiety. A comforting and genuinely helpful read for young readers (and the adults who care about them).

About the Author

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 her at kathleenjeffreyauthor.com

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