Are you looking for books about emotions and feelings to support social-emotional learning in your classroom? Helping young children gain control of their emotions and feelings is a two-step process. First, they need to learn how to identify their emotions, and then how to manage them through self-regulation. This book list will help you teach your students to identify and name their emotions.
Books About Emotions
Social-emotional learning means learning how to identify and manage our own emotions and respond appropriately to everyday feelings like anger and sadness. As adults, this can be very difficult, but it’s a skill young children will learn when we read age-appropriate picture books to help them identify their own emotions and those of others.
As teachers and parents it is our job to help young children understand and identify their feelings, as well as communicate those feelings effectively to others.
Books About Feelings
The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! by Mo Willems
Children will laugh along as Pigeon explores his feelings in this hilarious tale of working through emotions.
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh, by Supriya Kelkar
Harpreet chooses his colorful turbans to match his many different outfits and moods. Struggling to fit in at his new school, Harpreet learns to make new friends around discussion of his turban. A delightful and diverse way to discuss colors, feelings, and emotions!
Glad Monster, Sad Monster, by Ed Emberley
These monsters will help your little learners explore emotions, from happy to sad, to silly to mad.
When Sophie’s Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt, by Molly Bang
Sophie’s feelings are hurt when her friends tell her all the ways her painting is wrong. Your kids will learn about using their imaginations and being respectful of other students’ work.
Big Feelings, by Alexandra Penfold
A wonderfully diverse picture book to help young children manage the emotions they experience in their daily lives.
The Way I Feel, by Janan Cain
Useful words and phrases to help your preschoolers describe their emotions so they can work through them.
The Feelings Book, by Todd Parr
Tough Guys Have Feelings Too, by Keith Negly
A lighthearted story about how everyone everywhere experiences big emotions.
Books About Feeling Grumpy
The Grumpy Dinosaur, by Michael Gordon
Dinosaurs plus emotions is the perfect combo to help young children identify emotions and understand how to deal with them.
Grumpy Pants, by Clare Messer
Preschoolers everywhere will be able to relate to this little penguin and all of his grumpy emotions.
Grumpy Bird, by Jeremy Tankard
Bird is grumpy, but his friends are there to help him overcome his feelings.
Grumpy Monkey, by Suzanne Lang
Kids everywhere will be able to relate to Jim and his grouchy day, but they’ll also learn the valuable lesson that it’s ok to have a bad day.
Grumpy Cat, by Britta Teckentrup
A very grumpy cat attempts to make new friends. When he rescues a cheerful kitten, Grumpy Cat becomes a hero!
Mean Soup, by Betsy Everitt
Horace’s mom has just the recipe to to fix a bad day and help him overcome his mean feelings.
Crabby Pants, by Julie Gassman
Roger the cat gets crabby about a lot of things. This adorable little book explores the very important message about how to manage feelings.
Books About Being Mad and Angry
Llama Llama Mad at Mama, by Anna Dewdney
An instant classic from bestselling author Anna Dewdney, little Llama Llama will have everyone reading along as they learn about big emotions together.
When I Feel Angry, by Cornelia Maude Spelman
Little bunny learns how to manage her angry emotions to feel calm and happy again.
When Sophie Gets Angry…Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
The simple preschool friendly text in this book will help your kids explore the many different feelings that come along with anger, and how to deal with them appropriately.
Mouse Was Mad, by Linda Urban
We all get angry at times. Your kids will discover that everyone has different ways they express their emotions, and we all have to do what works best for us.
Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, by Rachel Vail, Yumi Heo
Your kids will learn about the value of taking time to calm down instead of using ugly words and fists – a must read for all preschoolers!
If You’re Angry and You Know It! by Cecily Kaiser
A helpful book to teach your kids how to react calmly when they’re angry.
The Angry Dragon, by Michael Gordon
Dragons and emotions, what’s not to like? In this book, young children will learn about dealing with disappointment and how to manage their emotions.
Books About Feeling Worried
Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes
This is the perfect book for children who are consumed with worry and anxiety, helping them see how much worrying gets in the way of having fun.
Ruby Finds a Worry, by Tom Percival
In this story, children will learn how sharing your worries can help them work through their feelings.
I’m Worried, by Michael Ian Black
Children will learn that it’s ok to not be ok, and how friends can help us overcome some of our big emotions.
The Don’t Worry Book, by Todd Parr
Todd Parr’s bright illustrations will help teach children solutions for overcoming their anxiety.
Books About Feeling Scared and Afraid
Courage, by Bernard Weber
This is a precious book about all the different kinds of everyday bravery. It will help children understand that having courage is an everyday occurrence.
The Doghouse, by Jan Thomas
A hilarious tale using vivid descriptions to tell about how various animals overcome their fear of a dog.
There’s a Nightmare in My Closet, by Mercer Meyer
Join Little Critter as he learns how to deal with his fear of the nighttime.
Scaredy Squirrel, by Melanie Watt
An encouraging book about all the great things that one can experience if they overcome their fears.
Nana in the City, by Lauren Castillo
The big sounds and bright lights of the city can be scary for a little boy. Learn how grandma helps him overcome his fears in this sweet book.
Bear Feels Scared, by Karma Wilson
You can’t go wrong with a Karma Wilson picture book! Everyone will love this story about being lost, and how good friends don’t let friends stay lost.
Books About Having Courage and Being Brave
Max the Brave, by Ed Vere
Adults and children alike will enjoy reading about how to be brave in this fun, adventurous book
Tomorrow I’ll be Brave, by Jessica Hische
No matter what happens today, tomorrow is a new day and full of endless possibilities.
Sheila Rae, the Brave, by Kevin Henke
A sweet tale of being brave and what to do if you get lost.
Daredevil Duck, by Charlie Adler
Why does Daredevil Duck sees himself as both afraid and brave?
Books about Being Kind and Making Friends
Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Miller
In this book, children will learn what it means to be kind, and how no matter how big or small, an act of kindness can make a difference.
Lottie & Walter, by Anna Walker
Everyone needs a special friend that can help us overcome our fears.
Trevor, by Jim Averbeck
Friendships can be made despite our differences.
The Kindness Book, by Todd Parr
With his signature illustrations, Todd Parr teaches children that no matter what you choose to do in this life, kindness is the most important action you can choose.
More Books About Feelings and Emotions
There Are No Animals in This Book (Only Feelings), by Chandi Sanchez
A groundbreaking picture book to help your kids learn how feelings can be expressed through contemporary art.
One of Those Days, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Even when you have a bad day, it’s ok! Tomorrow is a new day.
It’s Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel, by Jamie Lee Curtis
Self-control is a hard thing to learn! In this playful book, children will relate to all the hard things they have to learn at their age.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings, by Jo Witek
The child-friendly illustrations will encourage children to talk about how they feel as they deal with their ever-changing emotions.
The Color Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings, by Anna Llenas
Don’t let the title fool you, this is a book about feelings that also uses colors. This book helps children learn how to identify their feelings and understand how to process them in positive and affirming ways.
This list was updated on 3/2022
Also check out our Feelings and Emotions books, posters, and cards.
