10+ Best Social Emotional Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce essential life skills to your little one? Look no further than social emotional books for 3-year-olds! These books are not just stories; they are tools that can help your child navigate their feelings and relationships. Curious to discover which books made our list? Keep reading to explore our handpicked selections of social emotional books for 3-year-olds that are both engaging and educational.

Fun Social Emotional Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This colorful book explores a wide range of emotions that children might experience, encouraging them to express how they feel in a healthy and open way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic tool for helping young children understand and articulate their emotions, fostering emotional intelligence from a young age.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are beginning to explore their own emotions and those of others.

• Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story features Little Llama experiencing bedtime fears and learning how to cope with them as Mama Llama offers comfort.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses common bedtime anxieties in a way that is both reassuring and relatable for young children.
  • Perfect for: Children who face bedtime fears and parents seeking a comforting bedtime story to share.

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Jim Panzee, the grumpy monkey, wakes up in a bad mood and has a tough time finding a reason for his feelings among his cheerful friends.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches kids that it’s okay to feel their emotions and that bad days are normal, promoting emotional acceptance and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning to navigate their emotions, especially on 'off' days.

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by Christine Roussey
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Through whimsical illustrations and a die-cut heart that decreases in size as the pages turn, this book explores a spectrum of emotions, from happiness to sadness, bravery to fear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It visually and poetically captures the ebb and flow of feelings in a way that young children can understand and appreciate.
  • Perfect for: Children who are exploring their feelings and emotions, and parents who want to help them understand these concepts.

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book uses colors to represent different feelings, helping children distinguish their emotions as they accompany the Color Monster on a journey to understand his mixed-up feelings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an engaging and creative way to help children visually sort out their feelings and learn to identify what they are experiencing.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to identify and express their emotions.

Educational Social Emotional Books for 3-Year-Olds

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn until a gentle rabbit appears and simply listens to Taylor's woes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, listening skills, emotional processing
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the power of listening and shows children how being a good listener can be a form of support.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning how to cope with emotions and those who need to understand the importance of being there for others.

• The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates, co-written and illustrated by Juniper Bates
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A friendly umbrella is big enough to shelter all who need it, demonstrating inclusivity and kindness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Inclusivity, kindness, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a simple yet profound metaphor for acceptance and generosity that resonates with young minds.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning about kindness and the importance of including everyone.

• Tomorrow I'll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book encourages kids to promise to try new things, do their best, and be brave.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage, self-motivation, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: Its uplifting message inspires children to approach life with an open heart and to always strive for their best.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are facing new challenges and need encouragement to be brave and do their best.

• When Sadness Is at Your Door by Eva Eland
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book personifies sadness as a visitor, teaching children how to understand and manage sadness by accepting its presence.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional management, empathy, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gentle approach to recognizing and dealing with feelings of sadness, making it less intimidating for children.
  • Perfect for: Young ones who occasionally feel overwhelmed by their emotions and need help understanding them.

• I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book explores what it means to be human, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, self-reflection, forgiveness
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children about the shared experiences of being human and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are beginning to explore their place in the world and how they connect with others.

Challenging Social Emotional Books for 3-Year-Olds

• One by Kathryn Otoshi
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Blue, a quiet color who is often picked on by Red. Things change when One comes along and stands up to Red, teaching everyone how they can count and stand up for each other.
  • Why this book is challenging: The abstract concepts of bullying, courage, and individuality are presented in a minimalist style that requires young readers to interpret numerical characters as complex emotional beings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes understanding of bullying and the importance of standing up for oneself and others, fostering early development of empathy and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are learning about individuality, courage, and the impact of their actions on others.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story explores the idea that we are all connected to the people we love by an 'invisible string,' which provides comfort and security regardless of the physical distance.
  • Why this book is challenging: The concept of an invisible, metaphorical string that connects people taps into abstract thinking, which is advanced for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand and cope with feelings of separation anxiety or loss, reassuring them of their loved ones' constant presence in their lives.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are dealing with separation issues or missing someone they love.

• The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A timid mouse and a powerful lion learn that no matter your size, everyone has a lion inside them, and sometimes it just takes a little self-belief to find it.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of rhymes and a dual perspective story challenges young readers to understand contrasting viewpoints and complex themes of self-confidence and bravery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to find their inner strength and assertiveness, teaching them about self-confidence and bravery.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are developing their self-esteem and learning to assert themselves in social situations.

• Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Stick and Stone are lonely until a chance encounter during a storm brings them together. The story explores friendship and support through simple, yet profound narrative.
  • Why this book is challenging: The minimalist text and the depiction of characters as objects require young readers to infer emotional depth and narrative from less direct cues.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story about friendship and looking out for one another, ideal for teaching kids about empathy and kindness.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are beginning to form friendships and need to understand the value of caring for others.

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Social Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book addresses the feelings of being an outsider and the courage it takes to share your story with others, encouraging readers to find beauty in their own unique experiences.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of diversity, acceptance, and courage in sharing one's personal story, which are sophisticated concepts for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children appreciate diversity and encourages them to be proud of their origins and stories, fostering a sense of inclusion and self-worth.
  • Perfect for: Children feeling out of place or different, and who need encouragement to share their unique perspectives.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young children to the world of books, especially social-emotional books, is a fantastic way to start nurturing their emotional intelligence early on. Here are some engaging exercises you can do with your 3-year-old to enhance their reading experience and help them understand and express their feelings better. These exercises are designed to be fun, interactive, and highly beneficial for their emotional and cognitive development.

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read a social-emotional book together.
  • How it helps: Builds reading habits and helps children understand various emotions through stories.
  • Tips: Choose a consistent time for reading to create a routine, like before bed or after lunch.

• Express the Feelings
  • What it is: Discuss the emotions of characters in the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances empathy and emotional vocabulary by linking words to feelings.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions like "How do you think the character felt?" to encourage discussion.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Helps children connect emotionally with the characters and understand their feelings.
  • Tips: Let your child choose which character they want to be to increase engagement.

• Drawing the Story
  • What it is: Encourage your child to draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Supports creative expression and helps solidify their understanding of the story and its emotions.
  • Tips: Provide a variety of art supplies and ask them to explain their drawings to boost verbal skills.

• Story Recall
  • What it is: Ask your child to recount the story in their own words.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and comprehension skills, and helps internalize emotional lessons.
  • Tips: Prompt them with questions about specific parts of the story to help jog their memory.

• Emotion Matching Game
  • What it is: Create cards with faces expressing different emotions and match them with story scenarios.
  • How it helps: Teaches recognition of emotions and relates them to real-life contexts and stories.
  • Tips: Play this as a fun game and praise them for correct matches to encourage learning.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only foster a love for books in your 3-year-old but also equip them with crucial social and emotional skills. These activities make reading a dynamic and interactive experience, paving the way for both educational and emotional development. Enjoy the journey of exploring emotions through stories together!