Emotional regulation can be a challenge for many children, especially those who have been through tough experiences and are still learning how to express their feelings in healthy ways. Picture books can be a powerful tool for houseparents to help children better understand their emotions and develop strategies for managing them. Here are five engaging and accessible picture books that can assist children in recognizing, naming, and navigating their emotions.
Below, we have linked to the books on Bookshop.org, but encourage you to borrow through your local library, search for used books on ThriftBooks, or purchase from an independent book shop near you.
The Color Monster is a beautifully illustrated story about a monster who feels all mixed up inside. With the help of a friend, the monster learns to separate and identify each emotion by color—yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, and so on. This book provides an approachable way for children to understand that emotions can be confusing, but naming and talking about them can help bring clarity.
Why it’s helpful: This book offers a simple, visual way to help children recognize their emotions and understand that all feelings are normal and manageable.
This classic story follows Sophie, a young girl who experiences a burst of intense anger and doesn’t know what to do with it. As the story unfolds, Sophie learns how to calm herself down by connecting with nature and finding peace within. It’s a powerful book for children who struggle with anger and need a way to process it in a healthy manner.
Why it’s helpful: This book shows that it’s okay to feel strong emotions, while also offering children a model for calming down and finding emotional balance.
This series focuses on different emotions like anxiety, anger, happiness, and sadness, represented by colorful "spots" that help children understand how each feeling affects them. Each book in the series offers simple, kid-friendly strategies for managing the emotion, making it a perfect resource for ongoing emotional learning.
Why it’s helpful: The series covers multiple emotions, giving houseparents a set of tools to address specific emotional challenges as they arise.
This interactive book introduces children to mindfulness techniques that help them calm their minds and bodies. With short, easy-to-follow exercises like breathing like a bear or imagining themselves as a mountain, the book offers creative ways to help children slow down and manage overwhelming emotions.
Why it’s helpful: It teaches practical strategies for calming down, making it ideal for children who need help regulating their emotions in the moment.
This beautifully illustrated book explores the wide range of emotions that children feel, from happiness and love to fear and sadness. Each emotion is described in poetic language, helping children understand that their feelings can change and fluctuate, but all are important.
Why it’s helpful: This book normalizes the range of emotions that children experience and encourages them to accept and express their feelings without judgment.
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