We can all use some help handling our emotions sometimes. These new kid’s books about emotions are a great way to get kids talking about their feelings, giving names to their emotions, and learning to control their emotional outbursts before they happen.
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How Are You?
Written by Edouard Manceau
This adorable board book introduces confusing emotions to little ones with simple text and illustrations. The text starts with a simple question “How are you?” and the character answers with various emotions that they feel on different days. This is a great way to explain to little ones that they can feel a lot of emotions, and that sharing them is ok.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Babies: Big Emotions (Bubble Up)
Written by Andrea J. Lonely and illustrated by Irene Chan
This board book follows a group of ocean friends who are playing tag. When Dolphin plays too rough, everyone has big emotions. With the help of a little octopus, the friends learn to name their big emotions and how to calm themselves down again. The back of the book includes a note to parents with tips to help little ones handle big emotions.
My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers
Written by Orlena Kerek, MD and illustrated by April Hartmann
This guide to emotions walks the reader through a simple explanation of what emotions are, and when we can feel them. The text also discusses what to do when you feel certain emotions, and celebrates all of them for being normal. The back of the book includes a note to grown ups about how to help little ones regulate their emotions.
Related Post: Teaching Kids to Deal with Multiple Emotions
Sometimes I Am Furious
Written by Timothy Knapman and illustrated by Joe Berger
In this book, a little girl shares that sometimes she is sweet and kind and caring, but sometimes she can also be furious. She shares situations that make her angry which little kids can relate to, and in the end her grandmother helps her learn to control her furious feelings and calm herself back down. The colorful text and illustrations become more agitated as the young girl gets angrier.
Roaring Mad Riley: An Anger Management Story for Kids
Written by Allison Szczecinski, M.Ed. and illustrated by Dean Gray
This story follows a young dinosaur named Riley who is happily building a tower at school, when a classmate knocks it over. Riley is suddenly roaring mad, but with help from his teacher Mr. Rex, he learns how to control his temper and calm his body. The text outlines the physical feelings of anger and how it affects your body too. The back of the book includes activities for kids to explore their feelings.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story about Big Feelings
Written by Pete Oswald
This rhyming book follows a young boy who is exploring his emotions with his dad. When his brothers tease him during a trip to the beach, the little boy starts dealing with complicated emotions. As his dad encourages him to name his feelings, they explore the many emotions that can affect a child’s life, and ends with a reminder that all emotions are okay.
Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions
Written by Mike Wohnoutka
This book outlines lots of emotions for young readers with very simple text and colorful illustrations. The images show young kids experiencing highs and lows throughout a typical day. From delight and disgust at breakfast time to regret and apologetic after an accident at home, there are tons of familiar situations and emotions for kids to explore.
Related Post: Teaching Kids about Emotions
Are You Mad at Me?
Written by Tyler Feder and Cody Feder
Opal Feather loves her long ostrich neck, but when she gets nervous, it gets super wobbly. She is excited to help out with the family party and pick up the important dessert, but what will happen if she gets too anxious? This is a great book for young kids who recognize the feelings that anxiety can bring, and offers a reminder of what happens when you worry the day away.
I Am a Tornado
Written by Drew Beckmeyer
In this story, Tornade is spinning wildly out of control and tearing things apart. When it picks up an empathetic cow, the cow calmly talks Tornado down and explores the negative feelings that make Tornado want to destroy things. In the end, Tornado just needs someone to sit with it and listen to it. This is a great way to demonstrate empathy and active listening for young kids.
Harold the Iceberg Melts Down
Written by Lisa Wyzlic and illustrated by Rebecca Syracuse
Harold is iceberg lettuce, but his covered sticker makes him believe that he is an iceberg. So when he sees a documentary about icebergs melting, he worries that he will melt too. With the help of his friends in the fridge, he learns to “cool down” from his own “meltdown”. The back of the book includes tips for kids on how to cool down when they are upset, as well as tips to combat climate change.
Small Knight and the Angry Prince
Written by Manka Kasha
When Small Knight’s family comes to visit, they are excited to make a new friend. But when their cousin arrives, he is jealous of Small Knight’s skills as a knight. When he snaps at Small Knight, they take out their sword and take their anger out on a tree stump. Small Knight starts to realize that anger is contagious, and decides to put a stop to it.
Related Post: 5 Children’s Books for a Bad Day
Like Lava in My Veins
Written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough and Adriano Lucas
This comic book styled picture book follows Bobby Beacon, who has fire in his veins. He is excited to start a new school that will help him with his powers. His first teacher stokes the fire in Bobby, landing him in the principals office. But he soon meets another teacher who helps him learn how to calm himself down. Kids will love the comic book style illustrations and the superhero spin on an emotional tale.
Wolfboy is Scared
Written by Andy Harkness
This sequel to Wolfboy follows Wolfboy as he travels home through the lair of the Grumble Monster. He is definitely not scared. Except as everything around him starts to look like something else, he realizes he might actually be scared after all. And when he comes into contact with the Grumble Monster, will he be able to get away?
Where’s My Cow?
Written by Susan Blackaby and illustrated by Scott Brundage
This story about separation anxiety follows a young egret who is afraid to venture to the seashore for fear of not being able to find her friend Cow again. But with the help of her friend Cow, Egret learns to face the new experience and still find her way home again.
Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries
Written by Eva Mendes and illustrated by Ammey Bryant
This book follows a young girl named Desi who always feels worried. Her mom explains to her about the job that her brain has to do and how it can sometimes become overwhelmed. Together, they work on ways to train Desi’s brain to release her worries and flood her brain with positivity.
The Drama Llama
Written by Rachel Morrisroe and illustrated by Ella Okstad
This rhyming book follows a young boy who worries a lot. Whenever he worries or experiences drama, a big pink llama appears and follows him around. Kids will love the funny llama in the illustrations, and adults will appreciate the important lesson that talking to someone trusted is the best way to shrink your worries.
The Big Feelings Book for Children
Written by Sharon Selby, MA
This nonfiction book offers mindfulness activities for kids who need help managing anger, excitement, anxiety, and sadness. The book begins with a table of contents, showing how the book is broken down into the 4 big emotions. Each emotion is explored through a short paragraph, and then has 4 activities to help young kids handle that emotion.
The Feelings Activity Book for Toddlers
Written by Stacy Spensley
This activity book offers 50 fun activities meant to help kids identify, understand, and manage their big feelings. The book starts with an explanation of how to introduce feelings and how to use the book. The rest of the book offers activities to help kids name their feelings, recognize the physical effects of those feelings, show empathy, and handle big feelings. Each activity has a materials list and easy step by step instructions for completing it.
What are your favorite new kids books about emotions? Share them in the comments below!
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