Children’s Books about Feelings

Feelings can overwhelm kids, especially difficult ones to process. Read these children’s books about feelings to help your child cope.

Children's Books about Feelings

Many of the challenges with our young children stem from their inability to process big emotions the way you and I can.

The tightening of the chest and the awful, cloudy feeling are  difficult to understand. They can’t figure out why they feel the way they do now that the new baby is here. They might even believe they’re the only ones who feel this way, or that they’re somehow “bad” for doing so.

And so, they act up or hit instead of communicating because these feelings are too confusing for them.

That is, until we define these feelings and label them so they know that they’re normal. You might tell your child that he feels anger, grief, or sadness so he can begin to put words to these feelings. You can also point out happier feelings like pride and joy.

As he builds his vocabulary of feelings, he realizes that they come and go. That they don’t define who he is and has nothing to feel ashamed of. He develops the skills to cope and understands that everyone goes through them at some point.

Over the years, he learns to handle feelings and the proper ways to express them. He recognizes the physical sensations that come with each feeling. From feeling silly and happy to downright grumpy and frustrated, everyone feels a vast range of moods and emotions.

What better way to boost that knowledge than by reading children’s books about feelings at an early age? He meets other characters who feel the way he does and sees how they get through them in a positive way. And you get to discuss these topics without risking him feeling attacked or scolded.

Take a look at my top selections of picture books about feelings to read together:

Children’s books about feelings

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney

Way Past Jealous by Hallee Adelman and Karen Wall

Way Past Jealous by Hallee Adelman

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold

Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook

Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cook

In My Heart by Jo Witek

In My Heart by Jo Witek

Sometimes I’m Bombaloo by Rachel Vail and Yumi Heo

Sometimes I’m Bombaloo by Rachel Vail

Tiger Days by M. H. Clark and Anna Hurly

Tiger Days by M. H. Clark

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer

How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath

My Body Sends a Signal by Natalia Maguire

My Body Sends a Signal by Natalia Maguire

Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis

Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley

Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee

How Are You Peeling? by Saxton Freymann

How Are You Peeling? by Saxton Freymann

B Is for Breathe by Melissa Munro Boyd

B Is for Breathe by Melissa Munro Boyd

On Monday When It Rained by Cherryl Kachenmeister

On Monday When It Rained by Cherryl Kachenmeister

Baby Happy Baby Sad by Leslie Patricelli

Baby Happy Baby Sad by Leslie Patricelli

Lots of Feelings by Shelly Rotner

Lots of Feelings by Shelly Rotner

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley

I Feel by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.

I Feel by Cheri J. Meiners

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