All children experience a wide range of emotions, which can sometimes be too big to keep bottled up. While each child handles feelings differently, learning to manage them is a significant part of child development. These books can help children recognize and handle these important feelings and emotions.
Board Books
“How We Feel”
by Leah Osakwe
From the Little Voices series of books, designed to inspire and empower the youngest readers, “How We Feel” focuses on feelings and the importance of sharing them. Bright, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text highlighting emotions from cheerful to sad — conveying how each feeling is a special part of who we are.
“May We Have Enough To Share”
by Richard Van Camp
This beautiful board book focuses on gratitude and gives readers of all ages a chance to step back and reflect on the big and little things to be thankful for. Celebrated Indigenous author Richard Van Camp’s simple verse is brought to life with beautiful photographic portraits from Tea & Bannock, a collective blog by Indigenous women photographers.
Picture Books
“Feelings Are Wild”
by Sophy Williams
More than a counting book, this sweet story tells the tale of how emotions can wildly fluctuate over the course of a day. Animals count up to 10 with negative feelings but the countdown from 10 features positive emotions. The cute animals are rendered in soft, cozy watercolors and the text is sparse and calming.
“The Trickster Shadow”
by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Zoon has a trickster shadow that follows him everywhere and causes mischief, for which Zoon gets blamed. Zoon turns to Nookomis, his grandmother, who begins tapping a beat on a drum and tells Zoon it’s like a heartbeat. The drum helps Zoon create balance and relate to his shadow. Short sentences and beautiful artwork rich with cultural symbols amplify this universal story of finding strength. A glossary of Ojibwe words used throughout the book is included.
Early Elementary
“Parker’s Big Feelings”
by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
Everything is going wrong for Parker Curry, who doesn’t know how to deal with having such a rotten day. Her mother reminds her to use her tools to deal with big feelings, and Parker works through her emotions by breathing, exercising and being still. This is perfect for emerging readers, with a large font and few words on each page complemented with eye-catching, colorful artwork. An end note provides additional information about processing feelings.
“Salma Makes a Home”
by Danny Ramadan
Salma’s father has been in Syria for almost two years and has finally headed to Canada to be with his family. But when he arrives, Salma fears his dislike of the cold weather and his struggles to learn English will send him back to the country he loves. The thoughtful story is strengthened with expressive illustrations, especially those of Salma and her many complicated emotions surrounding her family’s migrant experience.
Middle Grade
“Mayowa and the Sea of Words”
by Chibundu Onuzo
Ten-year-old Mayowa is sent to stay with her Grandpa Edward, who loves jumping on books — an activity her parents frown upon. But when Edward tells her that she comes from a long line of logosalters — book jumpers who can channel the emotions from books into real people, Mayowa comes to learn the responsibility this talent carries. This is a funny, imaginative and magical story that deftly explores how literature elevates compassion.
Teens
“First Love Language”
by Stefany Valentine
Taiwanese American Catie feels that finding her biological mother will help her feel a sense of belonging. After her parents’ divorce, her father brought Catie to America and remarried. Her dad recently died and her stepmother lost her job, prompting a move to Salt Lake City. Catie meets Toby and the two make a deal — he’ll teach her Mandarin and she’ll help him win over his longtime crush. Of course, Catie and Toby are drawn to one another in this sweet romance with important themes of identity, trauma, trust and forgiveness.
