I am a huge fan of using books as a resource to open discussion with kids about all manner of situations and problems. This collection of books about feelings and emotions was sparked by the popularity of our Managing Big Emotions emotional awareness series, with the picture books featured here handpicked for their capacity to spark discussions with children about a range of emotions.
Helping children learn to identify emotions, the situations that spark these feelings and effective coping skills provides them with a strong emotional foundation, which in turn can lead to increased self confidence and sense of self esteem.
Picture books are great for exploring with tiny tots but these stories are also wonderful for initiating discussion with children in preschool, kindergarten and even children in the primary/elementary years.If you are looking for books for talking with children about a specific emotion, be sure to check out our partner posts;
- 25 Children’s Books About Anger
- Books for Kids Who Worry
- 12 Picture Books About Anxiety
- Books About Facing Fears
Each of the books about feelings featured below is linked to our pick of the best online bookshops (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for those you might not be personally familiar with.
21 Picture Books about Feelings & Emotions
When I’m Feeling books by Trace Moroney  The When I’m Feeling series includes books exploring a range of emotions – angry, jealous, kind, scared, lonely and loved, and they are one of my favourite resources for introducing children to emotions and strategies for expressing our feelings in ways that are appropriate and acceptable to ourselves and others. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis  Exploring a wide range of emotions and reasons they can differ vastly even within the same day, this is a great book to read with early primary/elementary aged children. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee  This is a GREAT read for kids who experience very big feelings. Though he tries hard to cope by stuffing down his feelings, with a little help and artistic inspiration, this boy realises that feelings are something to be celebrated. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Today, I Feel…:An Alphabet of Feelings by Madalena Moniz  A lovely ABC of feelings book that is fabulous for starting conversations about emotions. While some of the letter words are less obviously representations of feelings, they offer a great opportunity to talking about what each means and represents. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
All About Feelings by Felicity Brooks  A fabulous pick from Usborne Publishing. Exploring a range of emotions in depth, it is a great resource for children when learning about feelings. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
1-2-3 My Feelings and Me by Goldie Millar  A friendly, positive first book of feelings for younger children, this great little book talks about how feelings effect our bodies and minds, alongside strategies for learning to manage overwhelming emotions. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
| For more first books about feelings, check out our Best Toddler Books About Feelings list. |
How Are You Feeling Today? by Molly Potter  Filled with fun and imaginative ways to help children understand and cope with a whole range of different emotions, this is a helpful dip-in book where children can choose a feeling that relates to them and then turn to the page that provides child-friendly strategies for dealing with that feeling. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Pig’s Big Feelings by Kelly Bourne  Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Feelings by Libby Walden  Uses rhyming text, thoughtfully chosen metaphors and sweet illustrations to bring each feeling to life. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
My Mixed Emotions by DK  Divided into happiness, fear, anger, and sadness, this detailed book of feelings explores these four main emotions, the reasons why we feel them, and the science behind each one. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
What Are Feelings: Lift-the-Flap First Questions and Answers by Katie Daynes  A lovely, interactive lift-the-flap books about feelings that is great for preschool and kindergarten. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley  Did you know wrestlers have feelings? And knights. Even superheroes and ninjas feel sad sometimes! A fun reminder that we all feel big feelings sometimes. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia  A lovely, interactive guide to help children learn to name their feelings and the physical sensations that accompany each one. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Feelings by Aliki  Aliki uses comic style illustrations and brief text to explore a range of commonly felt emotions, with each featured in it’s own short story. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
My Many Coloured Days by Dr Seuss  The fabulous illustrations and simple rhyming couplets bring any discussion about emotions with young children to life. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek  A beautiful book that describes a range of emotions and how they make you feel physically, with simple language that children will relate to. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas  Perfect for engaging children in discussion about emotions, The Color Monster relates each emotion to a colour. A kind little girl helps a friendly monster to identify and sort his mixed up emotions. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
There Are No Animals In This Book (Only Feelings) by Chani Sanchez  My girls love this fun narrative that’s just a little bit silly! I love that this book engages children with contemporary art to teach them about feelings. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Theo’s Mood by MaryAnn Cocca-Leffler  I love this book for exploring the complexity of emotions with young children. How can Theo possibly feel happy and sad and jealous and proud all at the same time!?? It’s a great story to share with a new big brother or sister too. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
A Book of Feelings by Amanda McCardie  Siblings Sam and Kate know what makes them happy, but they can’t be happy all the time! Follow them (with their parents and dog, Fuzzy Bean) on a journey through emotions and the everyday situations that can impact upon the way we feel. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain  Vivid, expressive illustrations are paired with clever rhymes to describe a wide range of emotions (silly, disappointed, bored, angry, etc). Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Great Big Book of Feelings by Mary Hoffman  Each two page spread features lots of different children, in lots of different situations, making The Great Big Book of Feelings a fun way to explore emotions with preschoolers and bigger kids. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood  There are many different types of quiet and this book is perfect for inviting discovery and discussion with children about the emotions behind each of the different kinds of quiet – be it nervousness, excitement, concern or silent awe. This truly is a lovely book. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
For more social emotional learning with kids, check out these super popular resources;
Pin for later;
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
