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Books for kids or tweens that discuss dealing with BIG feelings, such as anger, frustration, and overexcitement, used to be as rare as hen’s teeth. Thankfully, as time ticks on, more of these great books are becoming available.
As the parent of a highly anxious girl, I wanted an easy-to-read book with nice illustrations to keep her engaged while reading and give her some ideas on how to navigate life as a highly sensitive human. I am fairly certain I am not the only mama looking for these types of books, so I thought I would compile a booklist of children’s and tween books about dealing with BIG feelings.
Books about BIG Feelings For Kids
Mission: Control! A Big Feelings Adventure! by Nan Arkwright
When a young boy’s tantrum sends him into outer space, can he stop the aliens from controlling his feelings?
Joseph doesn’t want to go to bed. When his mom asks him to turn off the TV, the imaginative boy’s meltdown launches him on an intergalactic adventure. But as Joseph escapes to Planet Kelvin 273, he must battle the Green HypnoZoids to save himself from their hypnotizing powers.
Joined by his beloved dog Gretchen, Joseph has to gather the self-control to defeat the aliens. But if he can’t master his overwhelming emotions, he fears his pesky enemies will always have command over his life. Written by a certified and licensed occupational therapist, Mission: CONTROL! A Big Feelings Adventure is an inspiring children’s picture book suitable for ages 4 – 10 to help youngsters deal with their emotional reactions and grow from setbacks. If you and your children like valuable lessons, inventive journeys, and relatable heroes, you’ll love this fun tale. Learn more about the book and the author HERE.
Heart by Deedee Cummings
Lyrically and visually beautiful, Heart is a book for all ages and all walks of life. Within the pages of Heart, readers, parents, and educators will find affirmations that when hearts close from fear, other emotions like love, peace, joy, and happiness also become closed off. Inspired by her work with foster children, the author uses lyrical prose and stunning illustrations to share beliefs of love, life, faith, and the power of prayer.
This is a much-needed book for children of all ages, especially those who have experienced trauma. Heart provides an overall message to readers that, to find faith, they must never stop believing that there are good people in the world. This book is an excellent resource for classrooms, home bookshelves, and children’s counselor’s offices. Heart will help lift readers’ spirits and serve as a guide to the path to healing. {ages five and up}
*** Deedee Cummings is a veteran therapist who has written several other books, including My Trip to The Beach and Think of it Like This, that are filled with coping techniques for kids.
Visiting Feelings encourages children to treat their feelings like guests — welcome them in, get to know them, and perhaps learn why they are visiting. Visiting Feelings harnesses a young child’s innate capacity to fully experience the present moment and invites children to sense, explore, and befriend all of their feelings with acceptance and equanimity. A Note to Parents provides more information about emotional awareness and mindfulness, plus practical advice and activities for introducing mindfulness into the daily family routine.
It is a story about the power of hope, renewal, and inspiration. A little girl awakens, feeling there is nothing to look forward to, and walks through her day oblivious to the small glimmer of hope that was always with her until the tree shows her.
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts)
Sometimes my heart feels like a big yellow star, shiny and bright.
I smile from ear to ear and twirl around so fast,
I feel as if I could take off into the sky.
This is when my heart is happy.
Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically and inside. With language that is lyrical but also direct. Toddlers will be empowered by this new vocabulary and able to practice articulating and identifying their emotions. With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this unique feelings book is gorgeously packaged.
This full-color book has vivid, expressive illustrations that help children ages 2 to 8 describe their emotions and understand that feelings are a normal part of life.
Hilly’s quest is motivated by one simple question: How do I feel? Hilly Discover Her Feelings is the third book in a series in which Hilly is the main character.
As shown in the first two books, ‘Hilly Colors Her Dreams’ and ‘Hilly Finds Her Quiet Place’, Children straightaway connect to Hilly, who is a unique character with a charming personality. Hilly conveys important messages to children, e.g., addressing their emotions, positive thinking, connecting to the peaceful self, and more. These themes are brought with humor, fun, love, and care.
Every child who reads the book drifts into Hilly’s world.
Peanut and the BIG Feelings: A Guidebook for Children
Peanut is a kid with really BIG feelings. This interactive guidebook invites 3-12-year-olds to join Peanut on the journey to emotional regulation using advanced techniques from mind-body psychology and neurobiology. Brilliant, inspiring, and refreshing, this book helps adults teach children essential tools for a happy, healthy, and prosperous life. Includes an implementation guide for parents, teachers, and therapists by educator and author/illustrator Jenifer Trivelli, M.S. REVIEWS “This book is a must-have resource for every professional working with children with BIG feelings.
The American Psychological Association has a children’s book imprint called Magination Press, a catalog full of picture books dealing with emotions! Here’s one of their books:
The Tween Book: A Growing-Up Guide for the Changing You: The tween years are a time of change and possibility. They are also a time when kids may feel confused, unsure, and even different. Have you ever felt like that? This book is for you — the tween!
Though she would roll her eyes and claim she was dying of embarrassment if I mentioned in public that she was an American Girl Doll fan, she is 🙂 One of the things I love about the American Girl Company is that they have beautiful books, and their A Smart Girl’s Guide series has been incredibly valuable in dealing with many of her concerns, apprehensions, and anxiety. Here are a few that I recommend:
A Smart Girl’s Guide: Worry: How to Feel Less Stressed and Have More Fun (Smart Girl’s Guides):
Every girl worries from time to time. Maybe it’s an argument with a friend, a big test, or a performance in front of a crowd. Perhaps it’s her body. Maybe it’s even something fun, like a slumber party, overnight camp, or something big, like moving away or her parents’ divorce. For many girls, even small worries can take over their lives and get in the way of their enjoyment of life. But this book will help you take charge of your worries. You’ll learn tried-and-true ways to overcome fears and create a sense of calm. You’ll take quizzes and find out about yourself and what concerns you, and you’ll read advice from real girls who found ways to deal with their worries. The book is packed with proven techniques for handling worry and creating confidence–freeing you to be the girl you’re meant to be.
Starting middle school can be scary. But knowing what to expect will make you feel more confident. Packed with tips and fun quizzes, here’s the inside scoop on topics like classes, lockers, homework, and getting involved in after-school activities. Get help deciding the best way to introduce yourself to those new classmates. Plus, you’ll read letters from other girls who were just as worried about starting middle school and advice from girls who have already been there.
The Feelings Book (Revised): The Care and Keeping of Your Emotions:
This invaluable companion to The Care & Keeping of You received its fresh update! The Feelings Book will help you understand and deal with your emotions positively. You’ll get tips on how to express your feelings and stay in control, plus get sensitive advice on handling fear, anxiety, jealousy, and grief. Learn how to stay in the driver’s seat and control your emotions!
Wow! I love this list, need to bookmark this post – Thanks for joining The Bloggers Pit Stop