Books to help children – and their adults – explore and get talking about their feelings and emotions.
When children have a problem, they don't always have the language or experience to express it. Meeting book characters having similar experiences can provide comfort, as well as helping kids to find a way of expressing their own emotions. Here are some great children's books for toddlers to middle graders to help them learn how to deal with and communicate how they're feeling.
For toddlers, pre-schoolers and younger children
The Little Big Feelings series have "colourful illustrations and interactive pages that encourage children to explore and share their emotions. The wheels, flaps and sliders provided great discussion points . . . and are great for reading together as they raise a lot of questions to get the whole family talking about their feelings." Dr Amanda Gummer's Good Play Guide
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
It can be hard being (and having!) a toddler. Sometimes everything's great, sometimes you are absolutely FURIOUS. But, as the little girl in this hilarious and reassuring story discovers, it's nothing that can't be sorted out eventually.
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Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
A comic look at child autonomy and how to navigate strong emotions. Some days, you want to put your coat on, sharing is fine, baths are great and you can't wait to join in with everyone else. And some days, you just WON'T. Sometimes, that's OK. But with kindness and encouragement, you might find something you WON'T can become something you love.
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Pre-order now Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
When their teacher asks them to think of a hero, Kev knows exactly who to pick: the fast, brave and strong captain of the Roaring Bears rugby team! Rob, however, feels unsure. Do heroes really have to be big and strong? Rob and Kev start to realise that being a hero isn't all about strength and muscles – it's much, much more than that . . . Inspired by the real-life affection between rugby legends and best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, Try shows young readers, especially young boys, the power of friendships based in love, trust and vulnerability – and that there are many ways to be strong.
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Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Breathe deep to smell the jungle scents. Stretch to join the monkeys high up in the trees. Listen carefully to the creatures all around.
Rory is anxious about show-and-tell tomorrow as he doesn't have anything special to share with the class. But that all changes when he meets the worry tiger. This enchanting story is full of mindfulness actions that anyone can use to feel calm and beat anxiety, helping children relax and share their thoughts and worries.
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Buy the book Amazon Blackwell's Bookshop.org Foyles Waterstones WH Smith Wordery
Victor is worried about lots of things. That he isn't brave, or big, or fierce enough. . . everything, really. But when he tells his friend Pablo, he starts to feel a bit better, and learns even more ways to deal with his worrying thoughts. This is a comforting and reassuring tale that is especially helpful for little ones who have trouble talking about their feelings.
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For ages 6+
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Perfect for children growing up with siblings, Wheelies brings together the first two books in The Pain and the Great One series. Meet Jake and Abigail. Abigail thinks that Jake is a massive pain. Jake thinks that Abigail thinks she is sooo great. Whether they are riding bikes, doggie-sitting, having fun at school, getting their hair cut or throwing parties, there's always something for them to argue about. But despite these little disagreements, this pair are always there for each other, sharing in the fun!
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Tom Percival's action-packed Dream Defenders series are exciting adventures that help children to understand and deal with things like anger, a lack of self-confidence and stress.
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Tom Percival
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Tom Percival
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Tom Percival
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Tom Percival
For ages 9+
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When Dad leaves, ten-year-old Jay has questions. Where has he gone? Why did he go? When no one can give Jay the answers he needs, he makes up his own stories, setting off a chain reaction that sees regular old Jay go from just another face in the crowd, to the centre of attention. But being the coolest kid in school comes at a cost. And as things spiral out of control, can the most unlikely person help him learn the most important lesson of all?
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Discover more from Judy Blume
Whatever your age, and whatever you're going through, there's a Judy Blume book for that. Read more
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Karen's parents have always argued, and lately they've been getting worse. But when her father announces that they're going to get divorced, Karen feels like she is also falling apart. Jeff, her brother, decides it's their mum's fault. Amy, her younger sister, is scared everyone is going to leave. Karen really just wants her parents to get back together. This is a thoughtful, realistic look at divorce and family separation.
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