Book Lists

Big Feelings, Little Readers

Feelings come in all shapes and sizes. For many children, some emotions may feel too overwhelming to handle, and they end up missing out on amazing experiences because they don’t know how to process or react to what they’re feeling. We’ve put together a list of some outstanding picture books perfect for addressing big feelings of all kinds with little readers.

Featured Titles

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

Trudy Ludwig

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond, from a trusted expert in social development.

In book 1, a young perfectionist learns from her mistakes when her first week of school turns into a perfect mess!

Because of a Shoe

Because of a Shoe

Julie Fogliano

Everybody has tantrums (kids and moms) in this tender yet funny picture book about an especially impossible-to-put-on pair of shoes—from New York Times bestselling author Julie Fogliano and three-time Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee, creator of The Boss Baby.

Big Feelings (An All Are Welcome Book)

Big Feelings (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold

In their bestselling picture book All Are Welcome, Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman celebrate kindness, inclusivity, and diversity. Now with Big Feelings, they help children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.

Bored Panda

Bored Panda

Mike Bender

Come along with a tech-obsessed Panda as he goes from having a “boring” no-screens day to a joyful, out-and-about day. The New York Times bestselling creator of Awkward Family Photos wants you to know: being bored is not boring!

A Cure for the Hiccups

A Cure for the Hiccups

Jennifer E. Smith

Is it possible to have the hiccups forever? In this delightfully fun picture book, a determined kid who’s good at everything discovers that being patient and taking a deep breath may be the perfect place to start.

Gathering the Light

Gathering the Light

Joy Harjo

From the U.S. Poet Laureate and author of the award winning picture book, Remember, this luminous and lyrical story reminds readers to cherish their place in the world and make a positive impact wherever they go.

The Island

The Island

Gideon Sterer

A powerful and poetic picture book, featuring gorgeous watercolor art, about a child who learns to make peace with their overwhelming emotions.

Not Like Every Day

Not Like Every Day

Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

For Henry, lockdown drills can be scary. Staying quiet and still is tough, but with the support of his teacher, he’s able to stay calm. This reassuring story explores the complex emotions surrounding school lockdown drills and includes helpful resources from a school psychologist and safety expert.

Nunu and the Sea

Nunu and the Sea

Isabella Kung

In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination.

Owl by Myself

Owl by Myself

Pete Oswald

From the New York Times-bestselling illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy and The Good Egg comes an irresistible new character who insists on doing everything owl by himself today. He might not be great at it, but it’s fun to see him try!

The Worry Monster: Calming Anxiety with Mindfulness

The Worry Monster: Calming Anxiety with Mindfulness

Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone

Give kids tools to calm their inner worry monster with this interactive, vibrantly illustrated book! Tried-and-true methods from a child pscyhologist will have little ones mindfully breathing, practicing gratitude, and gracefully surfing their worry waves.

Mindfulness Moments for Kids Series

Dealing With Feelings Series

This Makes Me Angry

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

This Makes Me Anxious: First Day of School

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Jennifer Amaris

This Makes Me Happy

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

This Makes Me Jealous

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

This Makes Me Sad

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

This Makes Me Scared

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

This Makes Me Silly

Courtney Carbone; illustrated by Hilli Kushnir

More Books to Explore Big Feelings

Brave Every Day

Trudy Ludwig; illustrated by Patrice Barton

A Cure for the Hiccups

Jennifer E. Smith; illustrated by Brandon James Scott

The Creature of Habit Tries His Best

Jennifer E. Smith; illustrated by Leo Espinosa

The Creature of Habit

Jennifer E. Smith; illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Crunch the Shy Dinosaur

Cirocco Dunlap; illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Grumpy Monkey

Suzanne Lang; illustrated by Max Lang

The Inactivity Book

Kyo Maclear; illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Sunday Scaries

Debra Kempf Shumaker; illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Tenacious Won't Give Up

Pam Vaughan; illustrated by Leanne Hatch

Related Articles

Related Resources

Random House Children's Books Teachers and Librarians