Kids come with a wide range of emotions, some are more difficult to handle than others. Feelings like anger, frustration, loneliness, worry, sadness, grief, and fear can be uncomfortable, but learning to deal with them all is an essential part of growing up. Check out our list below for 8 books to help kids understand their feelings.

It’s important for kids to be able to accept all their feelings, even the uncomfortable ones. We can talks with them about comfortable and uncomfortable feelings—rather than good or bad—to better equip them to accept any of the feelings that come with being human. 

Books can be a great tool for connecting and empathizing with all kinds of different emotions. As you read these stories talk about the feelings of the characters, ask questions, listen, and learn.

The Kissing Hand

When Chester the raccoon is reluctant to go to kindergarten for the first time, his mother teaches him a secret way to carry her love with him.

Grumpy Monkey

When Jim the chimpanzee can’t shake his bad mood one day, he discovers the danger in suppressing unexplained feelings.

The Color Monster

When Color Monster wakes up with his emotions all over the place, a little girl helps him gains self-awareness and peace by identifying each feeling through color.

The Feels

Join Yeti on a journey of self-discovery as she meets her feelings and learns how to take care of each one.

The Rabbit Listened

When Taylor’s block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling.

Download the Novel Effect app for free to bring these stories to life with music and sounds that respond to your voice.

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