10 Children's Books That Teach Emotions

The short answer

Young children aren't unwilling to calm down; usually they just don't have words yet for the storm of feelings inside them. The ten picture books below help children recognise and name emotions: anger, sadness, fear, worry and joy. Once a child can say "I feel angry", half the tantrum has already settled. All of these books are good for reading together at bedtime and can be repeated without getting old.

Why teach emotions through books

A child's brain isn't yet mature enough to control its own feelings. When we read a story about a character who is angry or scared, children learn that feelings are normal, have names and pass. Picture books give a safe distance: children see the emotion in another character first, before recognising it in themselves.

10 picks for teaching children emotions

1. The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. A little monster is confused because all his feelings are mixed up, until a girl helps him sort each emotion by colour. The most basic and effective book to start with.
2. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek. Each page explains one feeling through the body: "when I'm happy, my heart feels light, like a balloon". Ideal for ages 2–5.
3. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. When Taylor's block tower falls, all the animals try to fix things; only the rabbit comes and listens. A wonderful lesson in empathy for children and parents alike.
4. Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival. Ruby's worry is drawn as a yellow creature that grows bigger the more she keeps it to herself. Teaches children that worries shrink when we talk about them.
5. When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang. Shows anger honestly and models a healthy way to calm down. Great for children who explode quickly.
6. Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. Jim the monkey feels grumpy for no reason, and that's okay. The book confirms that sometimes we're just low, and we don't have to be forced to be happy.
7. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. A gentle illustrated book full of words about courage, kindness and asking for help. Worth reading together well into adulthood.
8. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. The idea of an "invisible bucket" teaches children that kind words fill other people's hearts and harsh words empty them.
9. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. For children anxious about separation: an invisible string of love always connects them to the people they love, even far away. Soothing for children afraid of being left.
10. The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. Simple rhymes name one emotion after another: disappointed, excited, jealous, happy. A complete feelings vocabulary for preschoolers.

How to use this list at home

Don't read them all at once. Choose one book a week, read it again and again, and connect it to what actually happened in your child's day. When your child is angry tomorrow, remind them: "Like Sophie in the book, remember? Let's count to five." The book is only the beginning; the small conversations afterwards build a child's emotional intelligence.

Read also

• How to help kids understand and manage emotions: 7 simple activities at home, from a feelings thermometer to a worry jar.
• Calm Kids Feelings Activity Book: a printable feelings activity book for kids ages 5–9.
• Printable activity books for kids: five activity books for ages 3–10.

Closing thoughts

Teaching emotions isn't about keeping children happy all the time, but helping them understand that every feeling has its place. With a cup of warm milk and one picture book, evenings at home can become the gentlest place for a child to learn about their own heart.