The toddler and the preschool years are full of big feelings. Tantrums, frustration, excitement, sadness, and worry are all a normal part of early childhood. Kids can experience these emotions deeply, but they often don’t have the words or skills yet to understand what they are feeling or how to cope with it. That can make everyday moments overwhelming for both children and parents.
Talking about emotions from an early age can help children build self-awareness, express themselves more clearly, and begin learning healthy ways to manage their feelings and emotions. As parents and caregivers, one of our most important jobs is helping children recognize their feelings and respond to them in safe, supportive ways. One simple and effective tool is reading together. Books can introduce emotions in a calm, relatable way and give children language for what they are experiencing.
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Below are some favorite books for helping young kids better understand their feelings and emotions, along with recommended age ranges.
Babies Love Feelings – A Lift-a-Flap Board Book for Babies and Toddlers Learning about Emotions (Baby-2 years)
Mad, Mad, MAD: (A Gentle Introduction to Emotions and Coping with Big Feelings for Babies and Toddlers) (1-3 years)
Little Monkey Calms Down (Hello Genius) (1-3 years)
A Little SPOT: My First Emotions (2-3 years)
My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers (2-3 years)
The Rabbit Listened (2-4 years)
A Little Emotional (2-4 years)
Grumpy Monkey (2-5 years)
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions (2-5 years)
All About Feelings: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Emotions For Kids (2-6 years)
A Little SPOT ABC’s of Feelings (2-6 years)
Harper Handles Big Feelings: Lessons for Littles on Anger, Worry, Frustration, and Other Emotions (3-5 years)
The Feelings Monsters: Children’s Book About Emotions and Feelings (3-5 years)
The Feelings Dinosaurs: Children’s Book About Emotions and Feelings (3-5 years)
Helping kids understand their feelings and emotions takes time, patience, and support. It isn’t always easy. Reading books about feelings and emotions together is a simple way to teach toddlers and preschoolers how to recognize what they feel, talk about big emotions, and begin building healthy coping skills. Even a few minutes of reading each day can help children understand their emotions and start building their ability to regulate emotions.
