Talking about feelings and emotions at any age can be hard. Especially for younger kiddos with limited vocabulary, it can be challenging for them to know how they’re feeling, let alone talk about it with someone. But when children are given the words to express how they’re feeling, it can help them self-regulate and identify some healthy coping strategies when they are feeling upset. Check out our top 10 books to help start the conversation with kids and encourage them to talk about their feelings and emotions: 

  1. Sometimes I Need…
    Helping children understand and identify their emotions and needs is key to helping them care for their hearts, minds, and bodies. This book encourages children to check in with themselves to gauge how they’re feeling at a particular time.
  2. My Magical Feelings
    My Magical Feelings helps children see the beauty of their emotions and how feelings allow them to experience the world. Perfect for a home or school library collection, this book encourages kids to show their emotions.
  3. How Do You Feel?
    Perfect for toddlers with simple language and expressive illustrations, this story introduces kiddos to a wide range of emotions.
  4. Listening to My Body
    Use this book as a guide for helping kids understand the connection between their sensations and feelings so they can better understand their needs. This fun and interactive book also helps children name their feelings and the physical sensations that come with them.
  5. How Are You Feeling Today?
    This engaging book focuses on positive coping strategies. Littles will learn simple activities to help them cope with different emotions.
  6. The Boy with Big, Big, Feelings
    This story follows one boy with some BIG emotions and how he learns to see his emotions positively and celebrate them. 
  7. My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions and Express Feelings
    If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, this is the book for you and your kiddo! Including fun and captivating illustrations to calm-down activities, emotion cards, and more, this book helps teach kids about feelings in a clear yet fun way. 
  8. The Way I Feel
    Feelings aren’t good or bad, they just are. While reading The Way I Feel, children learn to positively express their feelings and build resilience. 
  9. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
    Learn to celebrate all feelings with the book, In My Heart. Not only does this book explore all emotions, but it also provides colorful and creative illustrations to captivate kids’ attention.
  10. All Feelings Are Okay
    This book highlights different emotions along with helping kids accept their feelings no matter what they are.

BONUS: To start talking about feelings and emotions with your youngest of kiddos, we recommend My First Book of Emotions for Toddlers. This engaging picture book introduces toddlers to common emotions by explaining what they are, how they feel in the body, and how to manage them in positive ways. For more books for toddlers, be sure to check out this article.

Looking for more educational resources to help your child with their feelings and emotions? Check these out! 
Top 10 Children’s Books to Help Kids with Stress and Anxiety
Recognizing Feelings and Emotions Video
Feelings and Emotions Chart