From the time our kids are born, they’re trying to communicate how they’re feeling. It starts with the basics—feeling hungry, tired, wet, or cold—but as our babies grow into children, they begin to experience emotions they don’t yet have the words to articulate. These feelings can come out in tears, temper tantrums, clinginess, or acting out.
Throw in a disruption to routine, an unexpected hurdle, or, you know, a global pandemic, and we might see the emotions in our kids magnified. We can help them by acknowledging their feelings, helping them notice changes in their body when they feel a certain way, like clenched fists or a racing heart, and naming what we think they’re feeling. Books can be helpful companions in this learning for parents and for kids, so we rounded up some editors’ favorites and highly-rated books to help you help your kids with their big emotions.
Understanding Emotions
The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings
The color monster's emotions are all mixed up until a friend helps him describe each feeling.
Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers
A beautiful book with captivating illustrations that touches on all of the emotions of the human experience—just how Mister Rogers would've wanted.
In My Heart
An adorable book to help describe how emotions make us feel in our bodies and in our heart.
Anger and Frustration
Llama Llama Mad at Mama
In Llama Llama's rhyming fashion, we see Llama Llama's frustration mount into a tantrum while on an errand with his mama.
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry ...
In this award-winning book, we see a range of emotions in Sophie, including ways to move on from anger.
I Love My New Toy
Best friends Elephant and Piggie have to deal with some big feelings when something happens to Piggie's favorite new toy.
Pete the Cat: Robo-Pete
When Pete's friends don't want to play what he wants, he invents a Robot to play with him, but things don't work out exactly as Pete planned.
Curiosity
Ada Twist, Scientist
Ada Twist asks all the questions, to her parents' exasperation. An editor favorite, this heartwarming tale explores where curiosity can lead.
Life
For kids who wrestle with the big questions, this book is poignant and beautifully illustrated.
Courage
Perfectly Norman
Norman was a perfectly normal kid, until he grew a pair of wings. A heartwarming story about what happens when you have the courage to be yourself.
Jabari Jumps
An adorable story about working up the courage to do something that scares us.
Love and Empathy
Love Is
Relatable to parents as much as kids, this sweet book shows love in action.
Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug
Tiny T. Rex learns how to help a friend who is sad in a way he didn't expect.
The Rabbit Listened
This charming story covers the confusing and difficult emotions that can come when unexpected things happen.
Worry and Anxiety
Life Without Nico
Whimsical illustrations help tell this sweet story about coping when a friend moves away, but also feels relatable for any child who can't be with their friends right now.
The Invisible String
This story highlights how love connects us to those we care about. It can help kids deal with separation anxiety, family far away, or the loss of a loved one.
Little Tree
In this story, a tree is afraid of losing his leaves, until he sees the other trees growing bigger and stronger. A great book for kids who have a hard time with change.
Ruby Finds a Worry
Ruby learns the worst thing and the best thing to do when you find a worry. A great dialogue opener if you suspect your little one worries more than others.
Wilma Jean - The Worry Machine
A fun book to help kids and parents describe how anxiety feels and develop strategies together.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
A practical guide to help children work through their worry and anxiety with storytelling and written exercises.
Read More: 10 Ways to Manage Your Child’s Anxiety
