Explaining emotions and feelings

The Way I Feel
By Janan Cain, 2000

The wording and pictures in this book provide a simple and concrete explanation of how we express feelings. It is designed to help children understand their own feelings, as well as the emotions they may see in the people around them. Recommended for ages 2 through 9 years.

Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day
By Jamie Lee Curtis, 2007

This book helps children understand and identify the shifting of their moods. Recommended for ages 4 through 8 years.

My Many Colored Days
By Dr. Seuss, 1996

This book compares feelings to colors as a way to help young children understand feelings. Recommended for ages 2 through 4 years.

The Huge Bag of Worries
By Virginia Ironside, 2011

This is a funny and reassuring story for children who have occasional worries. It describes how worries can feel overwhelming. It teaches children that when you slowly take out your worries and talk to someone about them, they will soon go away. Recommended for ages 5 through 10 years.

I Was So Mad
By Mercer Mayer, 2000

This book looks into different situations that may anger a young child and how to deal with each situation in a positive way. Recommended for ages 3 through 7 years.

F Is for Feelings
By Goldie Millar, 2014

This book goes through the alphabet and invites children to share, express and embrace their emotions every day. Recommended for ages 3 through 8 years.

When You Just Have to Roar!
By Rachel Robertson and Priscilla Prentice, 2015

A fun story about expectations and playing by the rules.

Visiting Feelings
By Lauren Rubenstein, 2013

This book promotes mindfulness and encourages children to treat their feelings like guests. It is designed to help children welcome and explore their feelings and learn why the feeling is visiting. Recommended for ages 3 through 8 years.

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
By Jo Witek and Christine Roussey, 2014

This book explores feelings of bravery, happiness, anger and sadness and how they might be felt on the inside. Recommended for ages 3 through 10 years.

Fire In My Heart, Ice In My Veins
By Enid Samuel Traisman, 1992

A journal for teenagers experiencing a loss and supporting the range of difficult feelings that may come with loss.

The Invisible String
By Patrice Karst, 2000

A simple story that reminds children and adults that they are never truly alone and that you are always connected to those you love. Recommended for ages 4 through 10 years.

Explaining loss to children

Something Happened: A Book for Children & Parents Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss
By Cathy Blanford, 2012

Addresses the anticipation of a sibling who is expecting a baby and the sadness when the baby does not come home. Recommended for ages 3 through 9 years.

No New Baby
By Marilyn Gryte, 1988

A young child tells how she feels about the death of an unborn sibling and her grandmother helps to explain it. Recommended for ages 5 through 10 years.

Stella, Our Star: Coping with a Loss During Pregnancy
By Mandi Kowalik, 2012

Emily gets a pet hamster for her birthday. She is excited to be a mommy just like Aunt Mandi. Emily’s hamster unexpectedly dies and she discovers that her feelings are like Aunt Mandi’s after she loses her baby. Recommended for ages 6 through 9 years.

Someone Came Before You
By Pat Schwiebert, 2006

A book for parents to read with the child who comes after a baby who died. Recommended for ages 2 through 12 years.

We Were Gonna Have a Baby But We Had an Angel Instead
By Pat Schwiebert, 2012

This book uses simple language to tell the story of when an expectant baby died. It is told from the point of view of the sibling. A resource list for parents on how to support their children is included in the back of the book.

Loss and general bereavement

The Next Place
By Warren Hanson, 1997

This book is a celebration of life and helps children understand more about the afterlife. Recommended for ages 5 and older.

When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief
By Marge Heegaard, 1996

A coloring book/journal for children designed to teach basic concepts of death. Helps children understand and express emotions after someone they love dies. Recommended for ages 6 through 12.

What Is Dead?
By Heather Lawrence, 2010

This book explores the word death in simple and easy to understand terms. Recommended for younger children and can be helpful for children with autism or developmental delays to understand the permanence of death.

Where Are You? A Child’s Book About Loss
By Laura Olivieri, 2007

This book helps young children understand about coping with the loss of a loved one through age appropriate language. Recommended for ages 3 through 8 years.

I Miss You: A First Look at Death
By Pat Thomas, 2001

This book helps children understand that death is a natural part of life. A funeral is discussed as well as the many types of feelings children might have following the death of a loved one. Recommended for ages 4 and older.