Preschool Books About Emotions and Reading Activities
A character can give children words for a feeling they recognize but cannot yet explain. These preschool emotion books offer a gentle starting point for talking, drawing and playing together.
At a Glance
- Best for: Preschool read-alouds with an adult
- Explore: Feeling words, picture clues and different perspectives
- Try next: A puppet conversation or a feelings drawing
Jump to:
Three Places to Start
- The Feelings Book by Todd Parr: Bright, simple scenes introduce many feelings. Ask, “Which picture would you like to talk about?”
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain: Expressive illustrations and verse connect feelings with words. Look for clues in a character’s face and body.
- Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard: A story about a grumpy bird and his friends. Talk about what changes over the story, without expecting every uncomfortable feeling to disappear quickly.
More Preschool Books About Emotions
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$5.61Buy NowToddlers may be small in size, but they have enough emotions to fill an entire playground! This fun picture book introduces little ones to common emotions by explaining what they are, how they might feel in the body, and how to express them in positive ways.
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12/07/2025 08:05 am GMT -
$7.43Buy NowToddlers are still learning how to speak, socialize, and understand their emotions. It's common for them to react with their hands when they get frustrated—but hitting is never okay. What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting helps toddlers understand why hitting is not allowed and shows them how to react to their feelings with actions that are safe and kind.
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12/07/2025 10:03 am GMT -
$10.89Buy NowHow to teach kids about emotions and feelings? Like teaching them everything else - using clear words, familiar situations, exciting pictures and a lot of hands-on activities (games, puzzles, coloring pages, etc.) One can, of course, spend time and find various resources online. Or one can get just one book.This book is an excellent educational source that has is all. The book includes a cute story that kids can relate to, beautiful illustrations that capture children's attention, calming-down activities for kids, instructions to adults on the follow-up activities, emotions cards, feelings cards, coloring pages and related short stories to teach kids empathy.
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12/07/2025 08:05 am GMT -
$24.99Buy NowThis book is awesome for helping kids to recognize various moods, emotions, and feelings, as well as positive actions on how to manage those feelings in a fun and educational way. Moreover, it facilitates children make connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
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12/07/2025 08:07 am GMT -
$42.49Buy Nowhis box set includes 8 Emotion Books:
A Little SPOT of Anger
A Little SPOT of Anxiety
A Little SPOT of Happiness
A Little SPOT of Sadness
A Little SPOT of Love
A Little SPOT of Confidence
A Little Peaceful SPOT
A Little Scribble SPOT
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12/07/2025 01:03 am GMT -
$15.98Buy NowWe teach toddlers to identify colors, numbers, shapes, and letters—but what about their feelings? By illustrating such common emotions as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and calm, this sensitive book gently encourages young children to open up with parents, teachers, and daycare providers. And kids will LOVE the bright illustrations and amazing 3-D pop-ups on every page!
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12/07/2025 04:00 am GMT -
$7.64Buy NowHelping children identify and express their feelings in a positive manner is important for their social-emotional learning, developing empathy, and building resilience. Feelings are neither good nor bad, they simply are. Kids need words to name their feelings, just as they need words to name all things in their world.
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12/07/2025 08:00 am GMT -
$7.93Buy NowFrom the letter A to the letter Z, B is for Breathe celebrates the many ways children can express their feelings and develop coping skills at an early age. Fun, cute, and exciting illustrations, this colorful book teaches kids simple ways to cope with fussy and frustrating emotions. This book will inspire kids to discuss their feelings, show positive behaviors, and practice calm down strategies.
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12/07/2025 07:02 pm GMT -
$11.99Buy NowThis charming and humorous story helps kids recognize and manage their emotions.
*It is OK to feel different emotions and talk about them
*Learn how to deal with challenging emotions and find solutions
*Making friends and having fun with other monsters
*Emotions can also be a source of inspiration and imagination
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12/07/2025 01:01 am GMT -
$11.99Buy NowHelp your child self-regulate their emotions. The Emotions Books: A Little Story About BIG Feelings teaches emotional control and how to act effectively when faced with overwhelming feelings or challenging circumstances.
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12/07/2025 05:09 am GMT -
$12.95Buy NowFind Your Calm is a wonderfully accessible book that teaches children how to tap into their sense of safety when they experience anxiety so they can learn to find their calm. It includes kid-friend activities and coping tools for them to practice.
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12/07/2025 05:30 am GMT -
$12.99Buy NowMy Tiny Temper (a book best for kids ages 2-7) follows a kid around his day as he accomplishes daily tasks while battling a growing monster of emotions.
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12/07/2025 10:05 am GMT -
$10.88Buy NowOne day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Everyone will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.
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12/07/2025 01:01 am GMT
How to Read Together
- Choose a calm moment and let your child enjoy the story first.
- Pause once or twice to wonder how a character might feel.
- Accept a different answer: faces and situations can be interpreted in more than one way.
- Offer a follow-up activity, or simply reread a favorite page.
Try This After Reading
- Draw a character feeling two different things at once.
- Use a puppet to ask, “What could I do when I need help?”
- Invite your child to connect with a story if they want to; sharing a personal feeling is optional.
Other Themes to Explore
The original list also includes I Am Peace by Susan Verde, Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis and When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman. Preview a title and choose the theme that fits your conversation.
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