Feelings – Page 2

Picture books about Feelings from the Little Parachutes reviews library

Picture books that encourage young children to explore their feelings such as sadness, anger, disappointment and fear. Emotional intelligence, or being able to understand and manage feelings, is really important for children as they grow and develop. Children tend to feel happier, more confident and less anxious when they are able to identify, understand and manage their emotions well. Some books describe a character who has learned to manage a big emotion successfully. Others offer strategies to help a child deal with strong feelings such as anxiety, shyness, sadness and fear.

Animal Phobias

Books which either show animals such as mice, spiders and insects in a positive light, or which tackle the fears and phobias that some children experience when coming face to face with certain animals and insects.

Anxiety

Children’s picture books that explore anxiety, worry and stress.

Being Different & Being Yourself

Many children get anxious if they feel that they ‘don’t fit in’. These picture books promote the message that being different is a good thing.

Fear of The Dark

Books which acknowledge fears and phobias associated with the dark. Some titles aim to neutralise fears by promoting darkness as a positive and necessary aspect of the night.

Ghosts and Monsters

Books that acknowledge childhood fears of ghosts and monsters. Some books attempt to neutralise fears by featuring characters who seem frightening at first but ultimately reveal friendly qualities.

Sadness

Books to comfort children going through periods of sadness. Some books explain that feeling sad occasionally is normal, and offer practical ways to make the child feel happier.

Shyness

Books that either have a character who is shy, or reassure shy children that they can cope with this emotion.

Wanting to be Grown Up

Books that reflect the common childhood desire to be ‘grown up’. Many children can’t wait to be bigger, expecting this to lead to more excitement, control and variety.

The Bear and the Wildcat

This book covers themes of grief, loneliness and loss in a clear and touching way.

The Lonely Tree

This book may be useful to help a child how death is an inevitable part of ageing, and life continues after the sadness of bereavement. It also may be a good starting point to talk about how to cope with loneliness or isolation.

This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye

This entertaining book explores the idea of 'being different'. The central character has less conventional looks than his classmates, but the story reveals that his kindness and intelligence are more important than the way he looks. The book also has an anti-bullying message.

The Monster Who Ate Darkness

This book elegantly 'neutralises' fear of monsters by portraying a non-threatening (and ultimately caring) one. It also provides a fun and poetic explanation to why darkness is so necessary at night time.

The Copper Tree

This book approaches the difficult subject of grief with sensitivity and sound judgement. The perfect story for children who have lost a much-loved figure in their life.

The Great Big Book of Feelings

A child struggling with negative emotions may find great comfort in this sympathetic, entertaining and reassuring book which explores many different feelings: happy, sad, excited, bored, interested, angry, upset, calm, silly, lonely, scared, safe, embarrassed, shy, confident, worried, jealous and satisfied.

Rabbityness

Celebrates individuality, encourages creativity in everyone and positively introduces children to dealing with loss of any kind

Billy Monster’s Daymare

Exploring common night time fears about monsters under the bed, in cupboards or lurking in shadows. This book may help to explain to a child in a humorous way that lots of people feel the same way. The humour lies in the fact that this book is about a monster having a 'daymare' about a child!

Starting School

Providing a good overview of what happens at a typical primary school. A good starting point to encourage children to talk about anxieties and emotions they may be experiencing related to starting school.

I’m the Happiest

A lovely story which teaches children that the path to true happiness is to be content with what you already have. While all the other animals compete and compare, Racoon is happy to be himself.

Eeeek, Mouse!

This book may help a child who is frightened of mice to see a less threatening side to them.

Halibut Jackson

Reassuring anxious or shy children that others experience similar emotions. Providing a positive role model who learns to accept his shyness.

Sophie’s Masterpiece

May encourage a child who is frightened of spiders to look more favourably upon these fascinating creatures. The book also reflects the ageing process, and may strike a chord with a child who has lost an elderly relative. Additionally, it has underlying themes of tolerance and acceptance.

Aaaarrgghh, Spider!

Overcoming fears and phobias associated with spiders.

Emily Brown and the Thing

In this lovely book the tables are turned (the little girl is comforting a frightened monster, who is not at all scary). This may neutralise a child's fear of monsters.

I’m not cute!

Playfully addresses the way the very young often oscillate between wanting to be grown up and wanting to be babied.

The Worry Monster

This book may help children come to terms with childhood worries and encourage them to admit mistakes and tell the truth.

What Makes Me Happy?

May help a child to identify emotions they are experiencing and encourage them to discuss any they feel uncomfortable with. Reassures children that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions.

This is Our House

Promoting tolerance, co-operation and acceptance. Celebrating diversity.

Tinysaurus

This picture book may help a child who is feeling fed up about being the youngest and not being able to do some of the things an older sister or brother gets to do.

Amazing Grace

Inspiring children to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice.

Harry and Hopper

To comfort a child who has lost a loved one. It may be a good starting point for a discussion about bereavement and grief.

Looking after Louis

Explaining to young children how autism can affect behaviour and promoting tolerance and understanding of others.

Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero

A great choice for a child who wears glasses (the featured hero is bespectacled). It's also a good way to discuss prejudice and stereotypes with children, and to encourage them to look beyond outward appearance.

The Scar

This supportive and compassionate book would be an ideal tool to explain grief and loss to young children. A child who has lost a parent or other loved one may identify with the emotions felt by the boy in the story.

Ebbs and Flows

An exploration of feelings and emotions. Join Pia as she journeys through life with her Ebbs and Flows (the downs and ups we all experience). “Learn from the Ebbs. Remember the Flows, and grow from them both.” “Ebbs and Flows are the dances that keep her moving.”

Milo’s Monster

This is another book in the Big Bright Feelings series by this author which deals with friendship, jealousy and what happens when a new friend comes along. It looks at what happens when the friendship dynamic changes and how to deal with this in a child friendly way.