Picture Books That Teach Big Feelings

Picture books for big feelings

Convenience links to find any of these. Many are widely available second-hand or in libraries.

Anger and frustration

• W Where the Wild Things Are — Maurice Sendak
  Anger journey — beloved classic
• W When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry — Molly Bang
  Anger explicitly named and processed

Fear and anxiety

• T The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark — Jill Tomlinson
  Classic — fear of dark, gently resolved
• T The Color Monster — Anna Llenas
  Naming feelings to manage them
• R Ruby's Worry — Tom Percival
  Anxiety as a growing creature — brilliant

Sadness and loss

• T The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse — Charlie Mackesy
  Gentle reflection — works for adults too
• B Badger's Parting Gifts — Susan Varley
  Bereavement classic
• T The Rabbit Listened — Cori Doerrfeld
  Grief; what to do when someone is sad

Friendship and kindness

• T The Invisible Boy — Trudy Ludwig
  Loneliness and inclusion
• W We're All Wonders — R.J. Palacio
  Picture book version of Wonder
• P Perfectly Norman — Tom Percival
  Difference and self-acceptance

Change and transition

• C Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small for School — Lauren Child
  Starting school
• P Pumpkin Soup — Helen Cooper
  Friendship change
• T The Invisible — Tom Percival
  Family difficulty handled gently

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Selected based on subject, grade, and type — with a free option always included.