10+ Best Books About Emotions for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Navigating the world of emotions can be a big task for little ones! That's why finding the right books about emotions for 3-year-olds is so crucial. They not only help your child understand their feelings but also teach them how to express these emotions healthily. Curious about which books can help? Keep reading to discover our top picks for books about emotions for 3-year-olds, perfect for bedtime stories or any reading moment.
Table of Contents
Fun Books About Emotions for 3-Year-Olds
- The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This book introduces a friendly monster who is confused about his feelings until a little girl helps him figure out what each color represents in terms of emotions.
- Why we recommend this book: It uses vivid illustrations and simple concepts to help young children understand and differentiate their emotions.
- Perfect for: Children who are beginning to explore their feelings and parents who want to assist them in identifying and expressing emotions.
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: A young girl describes various feelings she experiences, each one linked to a specific color and shape, showing that emotions are a natural and important part of life.
- Why we recommend this book: Its interactive die-cut pages and engaging metaphors make emotions accessible and relatable to young readers.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who need help articulating their feelings and anyone who enjoys creative visual storytelling.
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: The book details various emotions a child can feel, such as jealousy, excitement, sadness, and pride, through engaging rhymes and dynamic illustrations.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to express their emotions clearly and teaches them that all feelings are valid.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are learning how to express themselves and parents looking to discuss emotions with their children.
- When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This story follows Sophie as she deals with her anger, showing what she feels and what she does when overwhelmed by this strong emotion.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a realistic portrayal of handling anger and offers a comforting message about how to return to calmness.
- Perfect for: Children who occasionally feel overwhelmed by their emotions and need guidance on how to cope with anger.
- Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley & Anne Miranda
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Monsters demonstrate different emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear through engaging masks that children can wear.
- Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and fun, allowing children to literally try on different feelings, which helps in understanding and managing their own emotions.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy play-acting and those who learn best through interactive activities.
Educational Books About Emotions for 3-Year-Olds
- My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Poetry
- Synopsis: This book uses vivid colors and a variety of animals to describe different feelings and moods, associating each emotion with a specific color.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional recognition, color identification, rhythmic reading skills
- Why we recommend this book: Dr. Seuss's poetic style combined with vibrant illustrations makes it a captivating way for children to explore and relate to their emotions.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic texts and colorful illustrations, and those beginning to explore their emotional range.
- Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: The book takes readers through the changing moods of a young girl, from silly to angry to excited, showcasing the wide range of emotions a child can feel in a single day.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional literacy, self-expression, vocabulary related to feelings
- Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and honest look at how feelings can change quickly and how they are all part of normal life.
- Perfect for: Children who experience frequent mood swings and parents who want to teach their kids about emotional flexibility.
- The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This brightly illustrated book describes a range of emotions that children might experience, encouraging them to express themselves in healthy ways.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, empathy, self-awareness
- Why we recommend this book: Todd Parr's distinctive, colorful style and simple, reassuring messages help children feel safe discussing their emotions.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers learning to name and manage their feelings, and classrooms that focus on emotional development.
- Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Bird wakes up feeling grumpy and too grouchy to do anything, but his mood lifts as he takes a walk and meets some friends along the way.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, emotional regulation, friendship
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that moods can change and that interaction with friends can have a positive impact on our feelings.
- Perfect for: Young children who are learning how social interactions can affect emotions and those who might need encouragement to get moving when they're feeling down.
- Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Mouse tries several ways to deal with his anger, each suggested by different animals, until he finds the one that works best for him.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-regulation techniques, understanding of emotions, problem-solving
- Why we recommend this book: It offers various strategies for coping with anger, showing that what works for one might not work for another and that it's okay to keep trying.
- Perfect for: Children who are dealing with feelings of frustration and anger and need practical examples of how to calm down.
Challenging Books About Emotions for 3-Year-Olds
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn until all sorts of animals come offering advice. Finally, a gentle rabbit arrives and simply listens, which is just what Taylor needs.
- Why this book is challenging: The book deals with complex emotions like loss and the process of healing, which are profound and nuanced topics for a 3-year-old.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches the power of listening and shows that sometimes, being there for someone is better than trying to fix their problems.
- Perfect for: Children who are learning how to cope with loss or change and caregivers who want to help in a meaningful way.
- Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This book encourages children to treat their feelings like guests — acknowledge them, understand them, and let them go when they're ready.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts of mindfulness and emotional intelligence, encouraging kids to engage in introspection.
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes emotional health by teaching children to explore their feelings without judgment and fosters a healthy approach to handling emotions.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are beginning to notice and name their emotions and parents who wish to introduce mindfulness at an early age.
- The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: A girl, curious and filled with wonder about the world, puts her heart in a safe place after losing someone dear. Eventually, she learns to open her heart again.
- Why this book is challenging: It tackles themes of loss and emotional protection in a metaphorical way that requires abstract thinking.
- Why we recommend this book: It addresses the difficult process of dealing with grief and the importance of staying open to new experiences and emotions.
- Perfect for: Children who have experienced loss and need help understanding and expressing their feelings.
- When Sadness Is at Your Door by Eva Eland
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This book personifies sadness as a visitor, suggesting ways to interact with it, like sitting together quietly and eventually, finding that it might not be as overwhelming as it seems.
- Why this book is challenging: It personifies an emotion in a gentle yet abstract way, encouraging children to see feelings as temporary states.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a compassionate approach to dealing with sadness, teaching kids that it’s okay to feel sad and that they can handle it when it comes.
- Perfect for: Youngsters who might feel overwhelmed by their emotions and need reassurance that those feelings are normal and manageable.
- Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This book shows various strong, tough characters like superheroes and astronauts, demonstrating that everyone has feelings and it’s okay to express them.
- Why this book is challenging: It challenges traditional gender norms by showing that it's healthy for everyone, including those perceived as "tough," to express vulnerability.
- Why we recommend this book: It breaks down stereotypes and encourages emotional openness and honesty, important lessons in emotional development.
- Perfect for: Little ones who might feel pressure to hide their emotions and caregivers looking to foster a more emotionally open environment.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to introduce your 3-year-old to books about emotions, you're on a wonderful path. Reading can not only boost their language skills but also help them understand and express their feelings better. Here are some fun reading exercises you can try with your little one to make the most out of your reading time together.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: Flip through the book and discuss the pictures before reading.
- How it helps: Encourages curiosity and sets the stage for the story, making it easier for the child to follow along.
- Tips: Ask your child to guess what might happen in the story based on the pictures.
- Story Role-Play
- What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading.
- How it helps: Helps in retaining the story and understanding the emotions of different characters.
- Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more engaging and fun.
- Emotion Matching
- What it is: Create emotion cards and let your child match them with characters from the book.
- How it helps: Enhances emotional vocabulary and helps the child recognize different emotions.
- Tips: Keep the emotions simple like happy, sad, angry, and scared.
- Repeat After Me
- What it is: Read a sentence and have your child repeat it after you.
- How it helps: Improves memory and pronunciation skills.
- Tips: Praise your child for each correct repetition to boost their confidence.
- Question Time
- What it is: Ask questions about the story after reading.
- How it helps: Develops comprehension skills and helps the child recall story details.
- Tips: Start with simple questions and gradually move to more detailed ones.
These exercises are not just fun but also incredibly beneficial for your child’s early development. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're not only helping your child with early literacy skills but also with emotional understanding, which is crucial at this developmental stage. So grab some books, get comfy, and start reading and playing!