Toddlers and Preschoolers have a lot to learn. One of the things they need to learn about are feelings and emotions. Sometimes it is hard to talk about all the different feelings. Thankfully, books can help! Here is a list of different books that you can read with a little one to help talk about different emotions, feelings, and whatnot to help them understand what they are.
Written by Ame Dyckman
Illustrated by Abhi Alwar
New York: Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 2023. Picture Book.
This may be my new favorite book on emotions. It shows what to do when a volcano gets angry (a bird accidentally drops a coconut on the volcano…then another…) Big Volcano reminds Little Volcano to breathe, count, and think happy thoughts. This works the first time around, but not quite the second time. And Little Volcano EXPLODES! Then has to apologize for the outburst. This is a great book that has personally helped my little one learn how to not “kabloom!”
By Jeff Mack
New York: Holiday House, 2023. Picture Book.
This is a book that teaches a bit about fears and being afraid (but in a gentle way.) Some cats want to open a wrapped gift…but are afraid of what might be inside the gift. Young readers (many of whom are most likely not afraid of gifts) will laugh at the various implausible potential gifts that the cats are afraid of. It is a great chance to talk about fears —especially the fears of the unknown. The only frustrating thing about this book (for some readers) may be that nobody ever sees what is really inside the present, due to the “scaredy cats” not wanting to open it.
Written by Matthew Ward
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
New York: Clarion Books, 2023. Picture Book.
Now, this may be considered more of a trait than a feeling —but I often try to teach my little one about determination. We try to teach how to get dressed (manipulating those clothes on and off or learning how to write letters is so hard —until it isn’t). So, this may not be a total feeling, but I wanted to add this book here. Three birds can’t fly. And they try all sorts of things to make it so they can fly. This whole book is about how these three birds are “unflappable” and don’t give up, even when they have tried so many times that you think they would! If you need to talk to a kid about perseverance, determination, or the whole “try, try again” concept, this is the book for you!
By Mike Wohnoutka
Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2023. Picture Book.
This book goes through all the emotions that happen throughout a day. The great part about this book is that you can talk to little readers about how many emotions happen all in one day. Plus, the emotions are listed as a single word on the page —so even the very littlest toddlers can understand and follow what is happening. If a reader can only check out one book to talk about emotions, this is a great choice to pick.
By Angela and Tony DiTerlizzi
New York: Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023. Picture Book.
Kids will learn all about what it means to be cranky in this book. A “very cranky book” is just that —and there are a lot of readers who want to read the book. After a lot of shenanigans, the book realizes that maybe being cranky isn’t always in the book’s best interest. This is a great way to show kids that their attitude makes a difference and maybe being cranky isn’t the best idea.
By Àlàbá Ònájìn
New York: Random House Studio, 2023. Picture Book.
In this book parents can talk to kids about tantrums, being upset, not getting their way, being sad, or parents/grownups who are exasperated! Táwà wants what she wants, and if she doesn’t get her way, she throws a temper tantrum. In the end, the exhausted caregivers all then cry and wail in response to one more round of Táwà’s antics.
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