Children’s Books About Feelings
When it comes to social-emotional learning, there is no better way to teach your child than reading and discussing books about feelings.
Children learn through reading and talking about what they’ve read, which is why it’s so important to include feelings books in your home or school library.
From circle time to bedtime, the picture books we have chosen will teach little ones to identify and express their emotions in different ways.
The Best Children’s Books About Feelings
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Toddler Book About Feelings
In My Heart by Jo Witek – Jump to section
The Best Book About Feelings for Preschool
Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul – Jump to section
The Best Kindergarten Book About Feelings
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld – Jump to section
The Best Book About Feelings for Older Kids
I Walk with Vanessa by Karascoët – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Books About Feelings for Toddlers
Grumpy Monkey
Author: Suzanne Lang
Illustrator: Max Lang
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of the Grumpy Monkey series
Plot
It’s a beautiful day in the jungle, but Jim the monkey is feeling grumpy. At first, he denies his feelings as all the animals point out his grumpiness, but then as they encourage him to participate in their activities he realizes he NEEDS to be grumpy that day.
When his friend, Norman, acknowledges that it’s a good day to be grumpy too, Jim starts to feel a little better.
Why Kirsten loves it
This children’s book about feelings normalizes having bad days – and being OK with it.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Best Books for 4-year-olds
The Crayons’ Book of Feelings
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Year: 2021
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 5
Plot
A cute spin-off of the beloved Day the Crayons Quit series, this board book approaches feelings in a way babies and toddlers can understand. Each crayon expresses a different emotion on every page. The board book design is perfect for chubby fingers looking to turn pages.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s perfect for the list of books about feelings for toddlers because of its simple illustration of emotions.
Find this book in: Books about Feelings / Best Books for 1-year-olds
Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell
Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Year: 1995
Genre: Board Books
Age: 0 – 4
Plot
This book subtly reinforces the fact that Mama (and Dada) come back. It also shows that sometimes animals get anxious feelings. For babies, the white owls and dark night forest are mesmerizing before they can see in color.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a great one for working parents looking to teach little ones about separation anxiety. I found read it to my children when I went back to work.
Find this book in: Books about Feelings / Books for 1-year-olds / Book and Game Pairings / Gender Neutral Baby Books
Plot
This is a classic feelings book for 1-year-olds for a reason! Todd Parr uses his signature colorful illustrations to showcase the range of emotions we all feel from time to time. Have your little one make the faces in the book for more fun.
Why Kirsten loves it
 Simple words and pictures help even the youngest children identify emotions.
Find this book in: Books about Feelings / Books for a 1-year-old
In My Heart
Author: Jo Witek
Illustrator: Christine Roussey
Year: 2014
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of Growing Hearts
Plot
Kids need to learn all about their feelings in a way that is safe and comfortable. The tactile pages in this board book will please little hands as the hearts cut in the center get smaller and smaller.
Why Kirsten loves it
Children will learn to identify feelings with simple words that explain what each feeling feels in their bodies and minds.
Find this book in: Books about Feelings / Books for a 3-year-old / Gender Neutral Baby Books
Children’s Books About Feelings for Preschoolers
I Need a Hug
Author: Aaron Blabey
Illustrator: Aaron Blabey
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
Plot
When a porcupine decides he needs a hug, he has trouble finding someone willing to hug his spiky exterior. Until he stumbles upon a snake who is looking for love of their own.
Why Jackie loves it
This has a funny lesson about how everyone needs love. It’s a fun one to read over and over.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Best Books for 2-year-olds
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry
Author: Molly Bang
Illustrator: Molly Bang
Year: 1999
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Caldecott-honor winner
Plot
In this charming story, Sophie – and readers – learn that it’s OK to be angry. It was one of the first books for children that addressed anger and how to deal with it.
Why Jackie loves it
This classic children’s book is an award-winner for a reason. It normalizes anger and helps with social-emotional learning.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Best Books for 2-year-olds
Allie All Along
Author: Sarah Lynne Reul
Illustrator: Sarah Lynne Reul
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
When Allie’s crayon breaks, she turns into a furious, angry red monster. As she throws a fit, her brother helps her conquer her anger little by little. He guides her to punch a pillow, squeeze a favorite toy, take a deep breath, and count backward from 10 until she can be calm again.
Why Jackie loves it
This story teaches children that sometimes multiple steps need to be taken to help control our emotions and calm down.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Best Books for 3-year-olds
The Color Monster
Author: Anna Llenas
Illustrator: Anna Llenas
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
This adorable book about colors will not only teach your child about colors but will help them identify their emotions at the same time.
Why Jackie loves it
I love the idea of making emotions something your child can see because this will help your child identify how they are feeling more literally.
Find this book in: Books About Colors / Books About Feelings
Go Away Big Green Monster
Author: Ed Emberly
Illustrator: Ed Emberly
Year: 1993
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
What a wonderful way to explore fears. As children turn the pages of this book, they are in charge. They can build the big green monster and tell him to go away.Â
Why Jackie loves it
This book is so helpful for kids who may not be able to express their fears but, it can help them conquer them just the same.
Find this book in: Monster Books / Books for a 3-year-old / Books about Feelings
Books About Feelings for Kindergarteners
The Rabbit Listened
Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2- 6
Plot
When Taylor is sad, every animal tries to help by offering different advice from shouting to crying but they don’t make the sadness go away. But the rabbit sits there and listens.
Why Kirsten loves it
What a lesson for kindness, empathy, and dealing with emotions! It’s a wonderful way to explore sitting with sadness.
Find this book in: Books for 5-year-olds / Books about Feelings/ Rabbit Books for Kids
I Don’t Draw, I Color!
Author: Adam Lehrhaupt
Illustrator: Felicita Sala
Year: 2017
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
This is a lovely book that explores creativity as opposed to artistry. Â I love how the child in this book can express feelings and emotions with colors. Â
Why Jackie loves it
Often, it is so difficult for children to express themselves verbally and I love how this book gives another way to do this. Â
Find this book in: Books About Colors / Books About Feelings / Books for 5-year-olds
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Author: Anna Dewdney
Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Year: 2009
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2 – 7
More info: Part of the Llama Llama series
Plot
It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool and he is overwhelmed with feelings. He is trying to get used to the new toys and new surroundings but he just misses his mama. Soon he learns that it’s OK to love mama and have fun at school too. This was recently turned into a Netflix book adaptation starring Jennifer Garner.
Why Kirsten loves it
A solid introduction to preschool separation anxiety and how kids can deal with it.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Anna Dewdney Books / Books for 2-year-old / First Day of School Books
Way Past Jealous
Author: Hallee Adelman
Illustrator: Karen Wall
Year: 2023
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
More info: Part of the Great Big Feelings Series
Plot
For social-emotional learning, I love the Great Big Feelings series of books by Hallee Adelman. Each book is focused on a different big feeling, how it makes kids feel, and how they can help manage it. This particular one focuses on Yaz being jealous of her friend’s ability to draw.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love the cute pictures and easy way of explaining the emotions that Adelman uses in the book. The story names both the emotion, how it makes kids react, AND how it feels in little bodies.
Find this book in: Children’s Books About Feelings
Best Children’s Books about Feelings and Emotions
A Bad Case of Stripes
Author: David Shannon
Illustrator: David Shannon
Year: 2004
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 3 – 7
More info: Caldecott Honor Book
Plot
For little Camila, the first day of school doesn’t go according to plan when she wakes up covered in stripes! The reason? Camila is so worried about how people think of her that she breaks out in stripes!
Soon she’s not allowed to go to school, she’s being poked by doctors, and taking pills from experts, until a little old lady teaches her to accept herself and learn not to worry about what others think.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s a great way to discuss self-esteem with your child before they start school.
Find this book in: Back to School Books / Children’s Book about Feelings / Best Books for 4-year-olds
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Author: Judy Viorst
Illustrator: Ray Cruz
Year: 1987
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 9
Plot
Alexander and his bad days have been beloved for decades. This classic children’s book is one of the best books about feelings that exists.
Why Jackie loves it
I love this story because it’s funny and has unique illustrations to help with social-emotional learning. I know in my house, that we used this picture book to talk about bad days and how it’s perfectly normal to have them.
Find this book in: Feelings Books / Classic Kids Books / Best Books for 5-year-olds
Niko Draws a Feeling
Author: Bob Raczka
Illustrator: Simone Shin
Year: 2017
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
There are so many wonderful things about this book. Nico loves to draw but he doesn’t draw like other kids do. He draws what he feels inside. If only we could all express ourselves this way.
Why Kirsten loves it
My kindergartener loved it so much that he asked me to read it to his class. This wordless picture book allows children to explore bullying in their own voice.
Find this book in: Books for 5-year-olds / Feelings Books
I Walk with Vanessa
Author: Karascoët
Illustrator: Karascoët
Year: 2018
Genre: Wordless Picture Book
Age: 3 – 8
More info:
Plot
After a little girl watches her new classmate get bullied, she enacts a plan to welcome Vanessa and show her kindness. This wordless picture book allows children to explore bullying in their own voice and teaches kindness.
Why Kirsten loves it
This wordless picture book brought tears to my eyes the first time I read it. My son’s second-grade teacher used this in her curriculum last year too. This is not only an amazing back-to-school book but it’s also a great book to teach about kindness.
Find this book in: Books about Feelings / Wordless Picture Books / Back to School Books / Best Books for 5-year-olds
Expert Tip
- Use the books on this list to help your preschooler or elementary-age child discuss their emotions. Ask them how they think the characters are feeling or what might make the character feel better.
- It’s often easier for children to discuss feelings when they aren’t in the middle of an emotional outburst. After your child is calm, read one of the stories that relates to what you think an outburst is about and use the story to open up the dialogue about what happened and how to handle their feelings appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are books about feelings important for a child’s development?
Children’s books about feelings and emotions help kids identify and process the various emotions they are feeling. Seeing a character struggle with anger, sadness, and frustration helps your child learn the dos and don’ts of handling their feelings.
What children’s books teach how to process empathetic feelings?
If you are looking for empathic books, I recommend I Walk with Vanessa and The Rabbit Listened. Both are wonderful stories that address caring for other people’s emotions.
Related Content
Epilouge
You can see that I used lots of these stories in my own home. Which of these children’s books about feelings are you planning to read? Let me know below!
Book Lists by Age
If you are looking for more amazing book lists, check out these lists sorted by age.
