My Favorite Books About Emotions for Kids
Picture books that help children identify, understand, and talk about their feelings
Helping young children understand their emotions is one of the most important parts of early learning. Big feelings can be confusing—especially for preschoolers who are still learning how to express themselves.
One of my favorite ways to teach emotional awareness is through picture books. Stories give children the language, visuals, and comfort they need to recognize what they’re feeling and learn how to respond in a healthy way.
Below are some of my favorite books about emotions—including a few from my own collection that were created with intentional, calming techniques for little learners 💛
🌈 Why Books About Emotions Matter
Before we dive into the list, here’s why these books are so powerful:
They help children name their feelings
They teach kids that emotions are normal and safe
They introduce simple tools for self-regulation
They create opportunities for connection and conversation
For preschoolers especially, learning emotional skills early can build confidence, resilience, and stronger communication.
💛 My Books for Teaching Emotions
These books were created with young children in mind, combining storytelling with breathing techniques and calming moments.
🌿 Mindful Breathing & Calm-Down Stories Collection
This collection incorporates simple breathing techniques like:
These stories help children:
Calm their bodies
Understand big emotions
Feel more in control
👉 These are especially helpful for toddlers and preschoolers who need simple, repeatable tools
📚 Two Favorite Emotion Books from Amazon
These are widely loved and pair beautifully with your emotional learning routine:
🎨 The Color Monster
This is a must-have when teaching emotions.
The story uses colors to represent different feelings, helping children visually understand emotions like:
Happiness
Sadness
Anger
Calm
Why kids love it:
Bright, engaging illustrations
Simple explanations
Easy to remember
Why parents love it:
Makes emotional conversations feel natural
Great for younger children just starting to identify feelings
😡 The Way I Feel
This book walks through a wide range of emotions in a way that’s relatable and easy for kids to understand.
It helps children:
Recognize different emotions
Understand that feelings change
Express themselves with words
Perfect for:
Daily reading
Classroom or homeschool use
Emotional check-ins
🌼 Simple Ways to Use These Books
You don’t need a big lesson plan—just a few intentional moments can make a huge impact:
💬 Ask simple questions:
“How do you think they feel?”
“Have you ever felt that way?”
🎭 Act it out:
Make faces for different emotions
Use your voice and body to show feelings
🌬️ Pair with breathing:
After reading, practice a calming breath:
Dragon Breath for anger
Star Breath for calm
Snake Breath for focus
🎨 Follow up with an activity:
Draw how you feel
Sort emotions by colors
Create a “feelings chart”
💛 Final Thoughts
Teaching children about emotions doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right books, you can turn everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.
By combining stories, conversation, and simple calming tools, you’re helping your child build skills they’ll carry for a lifetime.
And the best part?
You’re doing it together 💛
