Finn Throws a Fit

by David Elliot illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering (Candlewick Press, 2009)

A stormy toddler lets it rip!

How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods

by Saxton Freyman and Joost Elffers (Scholastic, 2004)

Simple rhyming text and beautiful colour photos of fruits and vegetables bring out expressions that illustrate feelings of all kinds.

Ages 3+

When I Feel Angry

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Nancy Côté (Albert Whitman and Co., 2000)

Bunny talks about things that make her mad. She talks about why it important to separate feelings from bad actions and has ideas about good actions to do instead. Part of The Way I Feel Book Set of 7 books. Ms Spelman is a clinical social worker and former child and family therapist. For the other titles see below as well as When I Care About Others and When I Feel Good About Myself.

Ages 3+

When I Feel Sad

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson (Albert Whitman and Co., 2002)

Guinea Pig talks about things that make her sad and learns that sad feelings don’t last forever

Ages 3+

When I Feel Scared

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson (Albert Whitman and Co., 2002)

Bear talks about things that frighten him and what helps him to feel better.

Ages 3+

When I Feel Jealous

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson (Albert Whitman and Co., 2003)

Bear talks about things that make her feel jealous and what helps her to feel better.

Ages 3+

When I Miss You: A Concept Book 

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Kathy Parkinson (Albert Whitman and Co., 2006)

Guinea Pig talks about how she feels when Mum and Dad go away and what helps her to feel better.

Ages 3+

Wemberly Worried 

by Kevin Henkes (Scholastic, 2000)

Wemberly worries about everything so it comes as a huge relief to meet Jewel on the first day of school.

Author of over 50 books Kevin Henkes has received both the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honors.

In another of his books - Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse - Lilly moves through a range of emotions including pride, enthusiasm, humiliation, fury, vengefulness, and remorse.

Ages 3+

Millie Fierce

by Jane Manning (Philomel Books, 2012)

Millie feels invisible – like no-one sees her, or hears her or even considers her. Tired of not being noticed, Millie makes a plan which involves stomping, growling, and generally being quite wild. She gets noticed, but perhaps being fierce wasn’t the best idea.

Ages 3+

The Way I Feel

by Janan Cain (Parenting Press, 2000)

14 poems and illustrations introduce the vocabulary of feelings.

Ages 3+

Hooway for Wodney Wat

by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynne Munsinger (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2002)

Poor Wodney can’t pronounce his R’s but even if you aren’t in speech therapy you’ll appreciate the gentle humour of Wodney’s impediment saving the day when his class is overshadowed by big, mean, smart Camilla Capybara.

Ages 4-8

Feelings

by Aliki Brandenberg (HarperCollins Children’s Books-Mulberry Books, 1984)

Explores all sorts of feelings in a way that invites exploration and discussion.

Ages 4+

Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased

by Heather Lonczak, illustrated by Marcy Ramsey (Magination Press, 2006)

Mookey’s complete absence of fur makes him a target for teasing when he starts school. He learns to ask for help, stay positive, keep his cool, ignore taunts and find good friends. Includes Note to Parents and Teachers about the effects of childhood teasing and a range of coping strategies for children who are being teased. Practical strategies for little people. Not meant for a chronic bullying situation.

Ages 4+

Drawing Together to Learn About Feelings

by Marge Heegaard meant to be illustrated by children. (Fairview Press, 2003)

An art therapy tool for children. Children are encouraged to write, draw and colour. Book provides information and projects and poses questions. Meant to be shared by child and adult – therapist or parent.

Ages 4+

The Great Big Book of Feelings

by Mary Hoffman, illustrated by Ros Asquith (Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2013)

A whole range of feelings are described as they might arise in scenarios from everyday life. Happy, sad, bored, excited, interested, angry, upset, safe, calm, silly, lonely, scared, embarrassed, shy, confident, worried, jealous, and satisfied - they're all here. Click for review by Roxanne on 'Books that Heal Kids' Blog.

Ages 4-8

A Terrible Thing Happened

by Margaret M. Holmes, illustrated by Cary Pillo (Magination Press, 2000)

Something terrible happened to Sherman – something so frightening and awful that he couldn’t bear to think about it. But trying not to think about it led to all sorts of problems – nightmares, stomachaches, and angry, nervous feelings. When Sherman meets Ms Maple and gets a chance to talk and draw about what happened he begins to feel better. For children who have witnessed violent or traumatic events. Includes an afterword for caregivers with suggestions for how to help children in these circumstances.

Age 4-8

Shy Spaghetti and Excited Eggs: A Kid’s Menu of Feelings

by Marc Nemiorff and Jane Annunziata, illustrated by Christine Battuz (Magination Press, 2011)

Includes Note to Parents. Helps kids understand what they’re feeling and why, as well as how to deal with feelings that are too big or hard.

Age 5+

Peach & Blue

by Sarah S.  Kilborne, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (Dragonfly Books, 1994)

Peach knows that she won’t live forever and she longs to see the world before it is too late. Blue – a blue-bellied toad – is inspired to help her and become the legs she needs to explore. Their friendship is a beautiful gift to both of them.

Age 5+

Badger’s Bad Mood

by Hiawyn Oram and Susan Varley (Picture Lions – HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 1997)

Badger is feeling “all out of it”. His friend Mole rallies the woodland creatures to help him feel better.

Age 5+

Jessica

by Kevin Henkes (Scholastic, 1989)

Jessica’s friend Ruthie is very real to her despite the fact that no one else can see her.

Age 5+

Scaredy Squirrel

by Mélanie Watt (Kids Can Press, 2008)

Captures anxiety with humour and empathy. See also Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, Scaredy Squirrel at Night, Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping, Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween (Scaredy’s Halloween Safety Tips Video), Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party, Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award for Children’s Picture Book

Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award

Age 5+

Ellie Bean the Drama Queen!

by Jennie Harding, illustrated by David Padgett (Sensory World,  2011)

Sensitive and intense (link each to blogposts temperament traits) readers will identify with young Ellie and benefit from the suggestions made for Ellie to cope with her Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

I’m Bored

by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (2012)

A little girl embodies boredom until she is confronted by a potato with attitude. May lead to a new word - “potatotude”.

Farmer Duck

by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Candlewick Press, Anniversary Edition, 2017)

Having to deal with lazy farmer leaves Duck feeling “sleepy, weepy and tired”. Fortunately the other farm animals take action.

British Book Awards - Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year 1992

Winner Smarties Book Prize

I’m so Embarrassed!

by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko (Scholastic Canada Ltd. 2005)

Lends itself beautifully to an exuberant read-aloud. Does Andrew dare to go shopping with his mum. It’s a risky proposition!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (Aladdin Paperbacks, 1972)

A perennial favourite. Some days are just doomed from the start.

Alexander knew it was going to be a terrible day when he woke up with gum in his hair.
And it got worse...

Ages 5-9

I Love You The Purplest

by Barbara Moss, illustrated by Mary Whyte (Scholastic Inc. 1996)

One mother’s way of handling sibling rivalry and small jealousies telling one son “I love you the reddest” and the other son “I love you the bluest”.

Read in response to the question “who do you love best?”

Moody Cow Meditates

by Kerry Lee MacLean (Wisdom Publications, 2009)

Peter, aka Moody Cow tells us about his terrible day full of angry encounters and explosions. With the help of Grandfather and the Moody Cow Mind Jar, Peter is able to mindfully settle his angry thoughts and feel much better.

for instructions on how to use a “Calm Down Jar”

for instructions on how to make a “Calm Down Jar”

Frog’s Breathtaking Speech - How Children (and Frogs) Can Use the Breath to Deal with Anxiety, Anger and Tension

by Michael Chissick, illustrated by Sarah Peacock (Singing Dragon/Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012)

Frog has to give a speech about breathing and he’s very scared. Consulting with his friends he learns about using Crocodile Breath to calm himself, using Humming Bee Breath when he has a headache, using Woodchopper Breath to get rid of anger and using Lion Breath to make his voice stronger. At the end of this interactive story, Frog gives a good speech and the reader has learned how to use these four breathing strategies for dealing with anxiety, tension, anger and voice development. Originally developed for teachers of primary children wishing to introduce breathing techniques and yoga postures to their classes, but, works well with any adult reader/child listener who are willing to pause, mimic and practice as they progress through the book.

Good Morning Yoga - A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up story

Good Night Yoga - A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story

by Mariam Gates, illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder (Sounds True, 2015) Ages 4-8

Author Kids is creator of Kid Power Yoga. Each story introduces a dozen poses that help prepare children for the day or the night respectively. A lovely way to introduce and have fun with a regular yoga practice.