10+ Best Books About Feelings for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to help your 7-year-old navigate their emotions? Look no further! Our curated selection of books about feelings for 7-year-olds is designed to engage young minds and spark meaningful conversations. Whether you're aiming to boost emotional intelligence or simply share a cozy reading moment, these books are just the ticket. Keep reading to discover our top picks for books about feelings that are perfect for 7-year-olds and see how they can help your child express themselves in healthy, positive ways.
Table of Contents
Fun Books About Feelings for 7-Year-Olds
- The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This book features a monster who is confused about his feelings until a little girl helps him understand each emotion by associating it with a color.
- Why we recommend this book: It uses simple metaphors and vibrant illustrations to help children differentiate and understand their emotions.
- Perfect for: Children who are learning to express and understand their feelings.
- In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: The book explores a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, bravery to fear, through engaging die-cut pages and heartfelt descriptions.
- Why we recommend this book: Its interactive format and poetic language make it engaging for young readers, helping them to articulate their emotions.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy interactive reading experiences and need help expressing complex emotions.
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: The book details various emotions children commonly experience, using simple language and colorful illustrations.
- Why we recommend this book: It helps children recognize and name their emotions, which is a crucial step in emotional development.
- Perfect for: Young readers who are just beginning to understand and talk about their feelings.
- 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: This book follows a child through various moods and the days that bring them, showcasing that all feelings are okay.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages acceptance of changing moods and helps normalize a wide range of emotions for children.
- Perfect for: Children who experience intense emotions and those learning how to navigate them.
- When Sadness Is at Your Door by Eva Eland
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: The book personifies sadness as a visitor, offering ways to interact with it, like sitting quietly together or going for a walk.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle approach to understanding and accepting sadness as a natural part of life.
- Perfect for: Kids who might be dealing with sadness and need gentle guidance on how to cope with it.
Educational Books About Feelings for 7-Year-Olds
- The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This vibrant book explores a wide range of emotions that kids might feel, encouraging them to express themselves in a healthy, positive way.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional recognition, vocabulary development, self-expression
- Why we recommend this book: Todd Parr's colorful illustrations and simple, reassuring messages help children understand and accept their feelings, whatever they may be.
- Perfect for: Young readers who need support in identifying and articulating their emotions.
- My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Poetry, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Using color and vivid imagery, Dr. Seuss's book describes different feelings associated with different colors, offering a poetic and accessible way for children to explore their emotions.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional literacy, color recognition, poetic expression
- Why we recommend this book: It combines the rhythmic, engaging text of Dr. Seuss with a meaningful exploration of feelings, making it a delightful read that also educates.
- Perfect for: Dr. Seuss fans and children who are learning to connect their feelings with expressive language and art.
- Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Jim Panzee, the monkey, wakes up grumpy and tries to deny his mood all day, only to realize it's okay to feel grumpy sometimes.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional acceptance, social skills, self-awareness
- Why we recommend this book: This story is a fun, relatable way to teach kids that it's perfectly normal to have bad days and that they don't have to pretend to be happy all the time.
- Perfect for: Children who might feel pressure to hide their less-than-cheerful moods and need affirmation that all feelings are valid.
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: When something terrible happens to Taylor, all the animals come to tell him how to cope, but only the rabbit quietly listens, which is what Taylor needs most.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, active listening, emotional support
- Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the power of silent support and listening in helping others manage their feelings.
- Perfect for: Children who are learning how to be a supportive friend and those who need to know it's okay to feel upset.
- 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, acknowledging them and possibly learning from them, without letting them take over.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional regulation, mindfulness, introspection
- Why we recommend this book: It promotes a healthy way of dealing with emotions by visualizing them as separate from oneself, which can help children manage overwhelming feelings.
- Perfect for: Kids who are working on understanding and regulating their emotions in a mindful way.
Challenging Books About Feelings for 7-Year-Olds
- The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: A girl, curious and full of wonder about the world, puts her heart in a bottle to protect it from the sorrows of life, only to find that it also prevents her from feeling the joys.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of loss and emotional protection in a metaphorical way that requires abstract thinking.
- Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses the importance of staying open to emotions, even painful ones, and offers a poignant message about vulnerability and healing.
- Perfect for: Children dealing with loss or those who are learning about the complexities of emotions.
- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: This story explores the concept of an invisible string made of love that connects us to everyone we care about, even when they are far away or have passed on.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of separation and loss in a subtle way, requiring children to grasp abstract connections.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides comfort and understanding about separation and loss, reassuring children that love and memories keep us connected always.
- Perfect for: Children experiencing separation anxiety or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
- The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore, illustrated by Zoe Persico
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Cora constantly worries about the "Whatifs," negative thoughts that plague her mind about everything that could go wrong, until she learns to focus on positive possibilities.
- Why this book is challenging: It tackles anxiety and the concept of positive versus negative thinking, which are sophisticated emotional concerns for young children.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a supportive tool for children who tend to worry, teaching them to manage their fears by focusing on positive outcomes.
- Perfect for: Anxious children or those who need help managing their worries and fears.
- Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: A profound and touching book where the author explores his feelings of sadness following the death of his son, offering insights into grief and how to cope.
- Why this book is challenging: It deals directly with grief and depression, presenting these heavy themes in a way that is accessible yet profound for young readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a rare, honest look at sadness and grief in a way that is both respectful and enlightening, helping children understand these complex emotions.
- Perfect for: Children experiencing grief or those needing a deeper understanding of complex emotional states.
- The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside, illustrated by Frank Rodgers
- Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
- Synopsis: Jenny carries around a huge bag of worries that grows larger each day, until she learns that talking about her worries can help make them smaller.
- Why this book is challenging: It personifies worries as physical burdens, a metaphor that helps children visualize and understand how to cope with anxiety.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to share their concerns and teaches that facing worries can alleviate them, promoting emotional resilience.
- Perfect for: Children who tend to internalize their worries or who feel overwhelmed by their fears.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring books about feelings, here are some fun and effective exercises to try out. These activities are designed to engage young readers and help them understand and express their emotions through books. Let's dive in!
- Create a Feelings Bookmark
- What it is: Craft a personalized bookmark that includes a list of feelings.
- How it helps: Encourages children to identify and mark the emotions they read about or feel.
- Tips: Use colors and symbols to represent different emotions on the bookmark.
- Story Emotion Match-Up
- What it is: Match emotions to different story scenarios.
- How it helps: Enhances comprehension by connecting feelings to story events.
- Tips: Use sticky notes to label emotions in the book as you read together.
- Emotion Role-Play
- What it is: Act out different emotions from the book with facial expressions and body language.
- How it helps: Helps children understand and empathize with the characters’ feelings.
- Tips: Take turns choosing different scenes to act out.
- Draw My Feelings
- What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book expressing various emotions.
- How it helps: Encourages artistic expression and helps visualize emotions.
- Tips: Discuss each drawing and the feelings it represents after the activity.
- Feelings Discussion Time
- What it is: Set aside time after reading to discuss the feelings encountered in the book.
- How it helps: Promotes verbal expression of emotions and enhances understanding.
- Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage thoughtful responses.
These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in helping young readers connect with their emotions and develop empathy. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you'll help your child build a strong foundation for emotional intelligence and a lifelong love for reading. Happy reading!