Build Your Bookshelf Series: Feelings + Emotions
Emotional regulation skills develop over time and, as adults, we can help support this development in many ways. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who a plays a role in a little one’s life, we all (as grownups) show up in some way to support, validate, and help the young children in our lives deal with the wild world of BIG FEELINGS.
The rollercoaster of navigating big emotions is something we ALL can wrap our head around, but what now? How can we help along the way?
One of our favorite ways to do this is, you guessed it, through children’s books!
By filling your home or classroom with books that introduce your child(ren) to emotions, you are setting the stage for social + emotional development and creating a ripple effect that will promote peace and balance in your home, life, and (most importantly) your child’s inner world.
Here are some of our favorite books about feelings and emotions:
Infancy (0-18 months)
Feelings of the Sky by Kate and Milo
Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions by Abrams Appleseed
Baby’s Feelings – A First Book of Emotions by Little Hippo Books
Toddlerhood (18 months-3 years)
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang - my first year teaching in a toddler classroom, Sophie was my guiding light and inspiration while dealing with toddler emotions! This book illustrates the power of nature as a coping tool, and is a tried-and-true favorite for two and up!
Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton - another hit from the toddler-approved, bestselling children’s book author, Sandra Boynton; this book explores all kinds of “moods” with playful animal characters, your kiddos will EAT IT UP!
Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl - a relatable book for toddlers that teaches self soothing in an effective way.
Scaredy Cat, Cautious Chameleon, Steady Sloth, and other books from the First Time Feelings Series by Michael Buxton - this series provides a simple introduction to feelings and emotions with lovable animal characters and are a crowd favorite with our toddler and preschool kiddos at school!
Preschool and up (3 years - school-age)
A Little SPOT of Emotions Box Set - an 8-book collection to introduce your kiddo(s) to big feelings in a way everyone can wrap their head around. In addition to being an introduction to feelings, these books are perfect to revisit as BIG emotions pop up in life! For instance, if your child is experiencing anxiety about a certain situation, A Little Spot of Anxiety would be the perfect book to pull out for a timely read aloud to provide emotional validation and prompt discussion with your child.
I’m a Feel-o-saur by Lezlie Evans – This 2021 publication welcomes all kinds of big emotions while teaching coping skills demonstrated by each “feel-o-saur” through a playful lens of –you guessed it– DINOSAURS! I mean, who doesn’t love a good dinosaur book?!
B is for Breathe by Dr. Melissa Boyd - Checking off multiple kindergarten readiness boxes with this one, B is for Breathe artfully ties together literacy and social + emotional development by teaching the ABCs of Coping with Fussy and Frustrating Feelings.
Ruby Finds a Worry + others from the The Big Bright Feelings collection by Tom Percival - If you’re a sucker for vibrant, eye-catching illustrations like I am, you will love these books! In addition to being chalked full of beautiful illustrations, the Big Bright Feelings picture book series provides kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics -- from being true to yourself to dealing with worries, managing anger, and making friends.
Ninja Life Hacks Self Awareness Box Set – includes: Frustrated Ninja, Nervous Ninja, Jealous Ninja, Growth Mindset Ninja, Forgetful Ninja, Memory Ninja
Combining ninjas and life skills… what a brilliant idea!! Loved by children ranging in age from 3-11 years old, this series is a great option for families with older siblings and young ones under the same roof!
Other Ninja Life Hacks Book Sets available to explore: Emotions and Feelings Box Set, Growth Mindset Book Set, Leadership Book Set, Mover and Shaker Book Set, Self Management Book Set, Decision Making Book Set, Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
We hope these children’s book recommendations give you the inspiration to take on each new day together and embrace ALL the feels with the little one(s) in your life!