Favorite Books About Feelings for Young Kids
When my kids were toddlers, bedtime was usually pretty rough! At the end of a full day of child-care, my kids would often dissolve into tears, start screaming, and need hugs all at the same time while I tried to get their pajamas on and their teeth brushed. As a parent, trying to navigate this mix of emotions at bedtime – or any time of day – can be very frustrating.
Learning to control big emotions can be challenging for young kids who are also developing a sense of personal control and independence. Unfortunately, this jumble of feelings can often peak at the end of the day when parents are trying to get kids to bed. A consistent bedtime routine that includes reading books can help ease the nightly toddler drama!
Reading every night with my kids, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, has been part of their bedtime routine since infancy. One day, hoping to navigate my kids’ bedtime meltdowns, I went to the children’s section of our local bookstore to see if I could find some new books. The Color Monster: A Pop Up Book of Feelings was on display. Opening this book, I knew immediately that my toddlers would connect with the fun colors and characters and enjoy sorting the pop-up “feelings” into jars on the book’s pages. I hoped the book’s themes would help us through bedtimes for years to come. It did – and over time, I found several other helpful books about feelings; here are a few of my favorites:
Books About Feelings for Toddlers
Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick (age focus 1.5-4 years)
When I Am/Cuando Estoy (English/Spanish) by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza (2-4 years)
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney (2-5 years)
The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings by Anna Llenas (2-5 years)
Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman (3-6 years)
Books About Feelings for Early School Aged Kids
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang (3-7 years)
My Body Sends a Signal by Natalia Maguire (4-7 years)
Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival (4-7 years)
The Happiest Kid by Sarah Bagley Steele (4-8 years)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (5-9 years)
Books With Strategies for Kids to Cope With Strong Feelings
Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl (ages 1-4)
B is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping with Fussy and Frustrating Feelings by Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd (2-5 years)
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi (3-6 years)
Breathing Makes it Better by Christopher Willard and Wendy O’Leary (3-6 years)
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker (4-7 years)
The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald (4-7 years)
Kids learn well through stories and connecting with the characters in them. Books about feelings can be a great addition to your family collection or your next baby shower gift. Whether it’s The Color Monster, Llama Llama, Alexander, or Grumpy Monkey, these characters are sure to be enjoyed by parents and kids alike!
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy
How to Share Books with Children 2 and 3 Years Old
How to Share Books with Your Preschooler
Zero to Three
Featured Author
Dr. Frost's biography reads: I joined the pediatrics team at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento in 2018 to help kids thrive. Outpatient pediatrics is a unique and rewarding medical specialty. I enjoy being able to foster long-term relationships with patients and their families, providing care in both health and illness as children grow. I believe that it is important to truly partner in health care with patients and their families; this allows not only for the best possible care but also for me to continue to learn and grow as a pediatrician. A professional interest of mine is to support breastfeeding families as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). During my medical training, I also pursued a degree in public health/health promotion - a field which applies to every patient visit in pediatrics. Yet, some of my most relevant experiences as a pediatrician has come from my two children, who have “trained” me first-hand on the challenges of parenthood and in finding the balance between evidence-based recommendations and reality to achieve optimal childhood growth and development. Being part of Kaiser Permanente allows physicians and patients access to integrated care and resources that are not readily available with other health systems. Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to preventive care is also an important piece of my personal care philosophy. I am proud to be part of the team at South Sacramento and I look forward to getting to know you and your family.
Dr. Frost's full biography can be found on My Doctor Online. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.