Big Emotions! The hallmark of the toddler and preschool years.
It’s for me to remember sometimes, but those big emotions are a really good thing. Kids need to explore them, understand them, learn to recognize them, and hopefully learn to manage them.
Children’s books are a wonderful way to help kids learn about all those big emotions swirling around inside of them.
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Children’s Books about Emotions & Feelings
The list below was part of our A Read A Day challenge, the details are in this intro post, but they are good for a unit on Emotions or just to read aloud with your child at home any time of the year.
New Sibling Jealousy
Phoebe and Digger
by Tricia Springstubb
illustrated by Jeff Newman
There are a lot of emotions books that cheerfully discuss each emotion page by page. Many of these are great, this is a favorite, but I also love books that just bring all of these emotions out in their realistic little protagonist. The books begins “when Mama got a new baby…Phoebe got a new digger.” Phoebe is a new big sister who feels all the feels about her new role. The story climaxes when a bully at the park takes digger from Phoebe. Suddenly, Phoebe is a little girl who still needs her Mama very much. Fortunately Mama steps in at the perfect time ending the book with a wonderful message for all new siblings. Springstubb offers a unique and realistic portrayal of life with a new sibling. Phoebe is a character full of spunk and emotion whose realness makes her so easy to love. The perfect book for families getting ready for another baby.
Angry / Mad
I am a Tornado
by Drew Beckmeyer
I AM A TORNADO has solid read aloud potential (get your voices and dramatic emotions ready) and offers a lovely parallel between kids having a tantrum or feeling big emotions and a tornado. Beckmeyer weaves together a teensy bit of info about tornados, a mothering cow, and a lot of big emotions to navigate. I love how the tornado slowly simmers down at the end with the comforting cow by his side. A thoughtful, funny, engaging picture book.
Mouse Was Mad
by Linda Urban
illustrated by Henry Cole
What is the best way to show your anger? Bear, hare, and bobcat have ideas but Mouse can’t find a method that works for him. Eventually he figures it out in his own way. A gentle, but emotion filled story about big emotions and how to handle them.
Sweep by Louise Greig illustrated by Julia Sarda
This is such an amazing story. It is, on the surface, a story about a guy that gets a little caught up in sweeping all the leaves. If you dig a little deeper, the text is about a bad mood and how those bad moods can take over and grow if we allow it. Truly, it is the story of how to overcome. It’s a story of looking up and finding joy. The story is unique and poetic and lovely and the illustrations are magic. Together they swirl you up in the storm of sweeping and emotion. This book is all the good things that picture books can offer and more.
Fear
The Woods
by Paul Hoppe
A boy can’t find his bunny and the only place he hasn’t looked yet is The Woods. He bravely charges in only to be confronted by a bear, a three headed dragon, and a big monster. Hoppe artfully balances suspenseful excitement with a predictable structure which makes this delightful scary read aloud more fun than actually scary. As a bonus, this story also offers some wonderful opportunities to discuss fears, bravery, and misconceptions.
Don’t Worry, Little Crab
by Chris Haughton
I loved this story about braving new things. Little Crab experiences the ocean for the first time in this picture book. He’s excited but the waves make him feel a little unsure. When he braves his worries though he discovers a whole new world under the sea. The image of Little Crab’s claw in Big Crabs as the really big waves whooshes them over them is my favorite. I love how this shows a supportive parent, patiently encouraging their little one. A perfect empowering book for older toddlers and up about exploring the world and being brave through your worries about newness.
Happiness / Joy
All My Treasures: A Book of Joy
by Jo Witek
I shared the bestselling In My Heart book on Instagram for Valentine’s day and this is the follow up. It is bursting with joy. A little girl gets a box and wants to fill it up with the things she loves best. I love the message that the most precious treasures are moments and experiences, not things we can put in a box. Just holding this book in your hands makes you smile.
Impatience
Waiting is Not Easy
by Mo Willems
If you have not read from Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie series you are missing out. Seriously. He perfectly captures the simple delights and hardships of childhood with these sweet hilarious books. The difficulty of waiting is the topic of this latest addition. Piggie has a surprise for his friend, Gerald. It is big. It is pretty. BUT, they have to wait. Gerald tries, but waiting is very hard. Every child and most adults can relate to this hysterically depicted impatience. In the end though, everyone realizes that somethings are truly worth the wait.
The Great Grrrr
by Marie-Sabine Roger
illustrated by Marjolaine Leray
This is a book about patience…or a lack there of. It is about big emotions that are relatable. It is also about assumptions. I think this is a great starting point for a conversation with slightly older kids about things we assume, but also how to deal with frustration. I love the limited color palette. I can see a fun art prompt following a read aloud with this one as well.
Worry
Wemberly Worried
by Kevin Henkes
Sweet, lovable Wemberly is worrier. She worries about a remarkable number of things for her young age. These worries come to a head when she is confronted with her first day of school. Fortunately, supportive parents, a great teacher, and a new friend make Wemberly’s worries just a little more manageable. I adore little Wemberly probably and this brilliantly touching book by one of our favorite authors.
read also: Best Books to Discuss First Day of School Worries
