RIC Alumna K. Jeffrey Authors Children’s Book

RIC alumna Kathleen Jeffrey has written and published her first children’s book titled “Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety” (2024), illustrated by Susan Kilmartin.

The main character is Katie, a second grader, who really loves school but has severe test anxiety. During a spelling test, she is so overwhelmed with anxiety that she can’t complete the test. With the guidance of her teacher, Katie discovers tools to calm herself such as belly breaths. The next time there’s a test, both Katie and her classmates practice belly breathing and everyone benefits.

Few children’s picture books focus specifically on the phenomena of test anxiety, especially written for an elementary school audience, says The U.S. Review of Books. Therefore, “Katie’s Really Bad Day” is not just a story, but an instructive and accessible tool for helping readers identify and manage anxiety in school.

“Like Katie, I had my own bout with early elementary school anxiety, which inspired me to write this book,” says Jeffrey. “Eventually, my anxiety developed into test anxiety that stayed with me through college. It didn’t matter if I knew the answers; the panic still set in.”

“In researching for this book, it was wonderful to learn of the many resources and tools available today for teachers to help their anxious students,” she says. “Some children are very good at concealing their anxiety and may suffer needlessly while thinking they’re the only ones. Test anxiety can also lead to a pattern of underachievement.”

To prevent test anxiety, Jeffrey suggests that children learn basic test-taking strategies and study skills. She also asks students to consider doing practice tests at home, doing mindful breathing techniques before or during a test, letting the instructor know they’re anxious about a test and asking for help.

The U.S. Review of Books says, “With issues of mental health affecting record numbers of populations – including children – this book could undeniably serve as a beneficial resource.”

Jeffrey adds, “I hope Katie’s gentle story about a real issue with real solutions will help children identify their own anxious feelings, know they are not alone and encourage them to tell teachers and caregivers what is going on so test anxiety doesn’t lead to a ‘A Really Bad Day.’”

A mother of three, Kathleen Jeffrey earned her B.A. in elementary education and psychology from Rhode Island College. After a career in national and international media sales, she left the corporate world to work for Glastonbury Abbey Bookstore in Hingham, Massachusetts, enjoying a 12-year indie bookstore adventure. She has enjoyed a three-decade career in sales and marketing for a variety of publishing companies, including Thomas Publishing Company, Ziff Davis Publishing, Cahners Publishing, Reed Business Information and Advanced Business Media. She is now writing children’s picture books. Jeffrey lives in Massachusetts with her husband, lab and westie.

See “Interview With Author Kathleen Jeffrey,” by BookView Review.

Also see “Interview with Children’s Book Author Kathleen Jeffrey” at BookMarketingBuzzBlog.