All the Feels: 10 Books to Help Kids With Their Emotions
by Dena McMurdie
Kids come with a full spectrum of emotions, some of which are too big to keep inside. Every child handles feelings differently, but learning to deal with them is an important part of growing up. Here are some of our favorite books for helping kids manage their emotions.
-
How Do You Feel?
Available from:This nonfiction board book introduces toddlers to the feelings they might encounter on the playground. Whether they’re feeling happy when they’re playing or angry when things don’t go their way, children will learn to recognize emotions in themselves and others.
(Ages 0 - 3)Also available from: -
Llama Llama Mad at Mama
Available from:When Llama loses his patience and throws a tantrum in the store, Mama keeps her cool and decides to let Llama be more involved with the shopping. Llama learns that while the chore may be boring, spending time with a loved one is more important.
(Ages 2 - 5)Also available from: -
My Little Box of Emotions
Available from:With simple text and vibrant illustrations, this collection of stories is the perfect way to educate young readers about their feelings. From anger to happiness and every emotion in between, children will learn how to recognize their feelings.
(Ages 3 - 5)Also available from: -
Millie Fierce
Available from:When Millie gets frustrated at being constantly overlooked, she starts acting out to get attention. It works at first, but quickly backfires when everyone starts avoiding her. She soon discovers there are consequences for her actions and a big difference between getting noticed and being mean.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Where Happiness Begins
Available from:If you read and loved When Sadness is at Your Door, you’ll appreciate this companion book. Written and illustrated in the same straightforward style, readers will learn that simple actions can lead to happiness, even when it’s hard to find.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Breathing Makes It Better
Available from:Learning how to identify emotions is an important skill. So is knowing how to deal with those emotions. This book introduces children to the art of breathing as a way of coping with strong and unpleasant feelings. Kids can use breathing exercises to help themselves feel calmer and more peaceful.
(Ages 3 - 7)Also available from: -
Feelings
Children that enjoy interactive elements will love this peek-through book. It gently introduces children to their emotions while reminding them that all feelings are important. The stunning illustrations and lyrical text make this book a must-have for every child’s bookshelf.
(Ages 3 - 7)Preorder from: -
The Barefoot King
Available from:In a kingdom where everybody goes barefoot, the king inevitably stubs his toe on a rock. To prevent any additional accidents, he decides to cover the land in leather, which results in some unintended consequences. This delightful tale comes with a short guide to jump-start discussions on handling life’s challenges in a healthy way.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
Big Feelings
Available from:From the creators of All Are Welcome comes a guide to the big feelings that children have. Things don’t always work out the way we want them to. When that happens, it’s a good idea to know how to handle feelings of frustration, disappointment, or overwhelm. With rhyming text and cheerful artwork, this book is a must-read for school-age children.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from: -
The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon
Available from:How do you cheer up a grump? With playful language and subtle rhymes, this delightful read-aloud is about a young girl determined to get her brother out of his funky mood. When nothing seems to work, she soon finds herself in a funk of her own. A fun and charming story that allows readers to start a conversation on how to budge their own curmudgeon.
(Ages 4 - 8)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2021.