Here to Help: Books about Feelings

By sharing stories together and having conversations about the books you read, you can help young children understand the world around them. Seeing diverse experiences represented in books helps children to explore their own identities and develop empathy for others.

It can be hard for young children to control their emotions. These books for kids ages 2 to 6 explore a wide range of feelings and how to cope with them.

Not every book is available at all locations, but any title can be requested. The children’s librarian at your neighborhood library is also here to help, with suggestions for additional titles on topics of interest–or feel free to suggest some titles to us. New books are always being added to the collection. You can find more Here to Help booklists on different topics by clicking here.

Big Feelings

What should we do when things don’t go to plan? We may feel mad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but by talking it through, compromising, and seeing another point of view, we can start fresh, begin anew. 


Grumpy Pants

Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can’t shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla.


How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?

Illustrations and rhyming text explore some of the things that dinosaurs might do when they are angry–and how they should control their tempers.


I Used to Be Afraid

A novelty picture book exploring the many forms fear can take and the importance of overcoming it.



I'm Sad

Flamingo learns that it is okay to be sad sometimes and that her friends, the little girl and Potato, will stand by her no matter how she feels. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.



My Cold Plum, Lemon Pie, Bluesy Mood

Jamie describes his mood throughout the day, using colors and rhythmic text, as he changes from an “easy green mood” while drawing a picture for his sister to a “brooding black mood” when he is teased for doing so.








You Get What You Get - Picture Book

Melvin likes to throw a tantrum when he does not get what he wants, but he learns that the classroom rule, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit” applies at home as well.