9 Books to Teach Children About Their Emotions
As children grow up, they collect new and exciting experiences. These can be accompanied by feelings and emotions that children have not yet encountered or know how to process. Learning how to handle these reactions is an important part of young readers becoming their best empathetic, compassionate, and healthy selves. Help your child have a positive year and improve their communication through emotional education.
When children read, they have the opportunity to enhance their emotional intelligence. This social-emotional development helps children thrive in their education, relationships, and futures.
From anger to fear and sadness, these stories will teach children about their emotions and how to process them in a healthy way. Our BookSmart app has thousands of digital books to make understanding children’s feelings easier.
Bravery
Frustration
The Elephant in the Room by Sam Wilson
Published by Book Dash
Ages 6-8
Lindi finds a very large elephant in her room. But is it really there if no one else believes in it?
► Learn how to fight frustration here.
Grief
The Remembering Day/El Día de los Muertos by Pat More
Published by Art Público Press
Ages 0-5, 6-8
This bilingual picture book introduces children to the idea that, even though we may lose a loved one, they remain with us forever in our memories. / Este libro ilustrado bilingüe introduce a los niños a la idea de que, aunque perdamos a un ser querido, permanece con nosotros para siempre en nuestra memoria. Awards: 2016-2017 Tejas Star Reading List; 2016 Texas Institute of Letters Denton Record-Chronicle Award, 2016 Skipping Stones Honor Award; 2016 MOSAIC Multicultural Book Display, Lincoln (NE) Public Schools.
► Learn how to navigate loss here.
Anger
Angry Akku: Level 2 by Vinayak Varma
Published by Pratham Books
Ages 6-8
Akku is having an awful day and it’s making her very angry. Read this book to find out how Akku’s anger melts away, and get ideas on what to do when you are very angry.
► Create an outlet for anger here.
Sadness
Jealousy
Feeling Jealous by Dolphin Press
Published by Dolphin Press
Ages 6-8
This book helps children identify, understand, and accept when they feel jealous.
► Get a jump on jealousy here.
Joy
It’s My Birthday! by Mubuso Zamchiya
Published by Edtrivia LLC
Ages 0-5, 6-8
► Celebrate here.
Calm
Let’s Play Yoga!: How to Grow Calm Like a Mountain, Strong Like a Warrior, and Joyful Like the Sun by Márcia De Luca and Lúcia Barros
Published by The Experiment
Ages 6-8
A playful, exuberantly illustrated book that introduces yoga to kids ages 5 to 8 with simple postures and techniques to foster a calm mind and healthy body.
► Learn how to stay calm here.
Fear
Kooky Is Afraid of the Dark by Anna Hamzah
Published by Worldreader Originals
Ages 0-5
► Learn how to face your fears here.
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