10+ Best Books About Emotions for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Hey there! If you're on the hunt for the perfect way to help your little one understand and express their feelings, you've come to the right place. Our guide to books about emotions for 5-year-olds is packed with heartwarming and insightful reads that are just right for their age. Curious to discover which books made our list? Keep reading to explore our selection of books about emotions for 5-year-olds and find the perfect fit for your child's emotional and learning journey.

Fun Books About Emotions for 5-Year-Olds

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Illustrator: Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book introduces a friendly monster whose feelings are all mixed up and represented by various colors. Each color stands for a different emotion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It visually and simply explains emotions to young children, helping them to understand and manage their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are beginning to explore their emotions and parents looking for tools to help with emotional education.

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
  • Illustrator: Christine Roussey
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The story explores a range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, bravery to fear, each described through lyrical language and engaging illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for children to learn to articulate and identify different feelings.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need help expressing their emotions and parents who want to encourage emotional literacy.

• The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
  • Illustrator: Janan Cain
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The book details various emotions a child might feel, such as jealousy, excitement, and disappointment, using simple and relatable scenarios.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand that their feelings are normal and provides the vocabulary to express them.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergarteners who are learning to navigate their emotions.

• When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
  • Illustrator: Molly Bang
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Sophie becomes upset and runs away to the forest to calm down after a conflict with her sister. The book explores the process of dealing with anger.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a realistic look at handling anger and finding ways to calm down on one's own.
  • Perfect for: Children who are dealing with anger and parents seeking to discuss healthy ways to express and manage emotions.

• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
  • Illustrator: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Poetry, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book, unlike most Dr. Seuss books, uses a variety of colors and animals to describe different feelings and moods.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a poetic and visually engaging way to explore emotions with young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic texts and those beginning to explore their emotional range.

Educational Books About Emotions for 5-Year-Olds

• Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Illustrator: Laura Cornell
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The book follows a young girl as she experiences a wide range of moods and emotions, from silliness to sadness, and everything in between.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional awareness, self-expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and relatable way for kids to understand that it's normal to experience different emotions.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning to identify and talk about their feelings.

• Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
  • Illustrator: Jeremy Tankard
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Bird wakes up feeling grumpy and too out of sorts to do anything, but his mood gradually improves as his friends join him for a walk.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, understanding emotions
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that spending time with friends can improve their mood and helps them understand the impact of emotions on behavior.
  • Perfect for: Kids who might feel overwhelmed by bad moods and parents who want to discuss the importance of friendship and support.

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
  • Illustrator: Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book describes a range of emotions children might feel in different situations, encouraging them to express themselves freely.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a colorful and positive introduction to emotions, promoting healthy emotional expression.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are just starting to understand their own emotions and how to express them.

• Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda
  • Illustrator: Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Monsters demonstrate different emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear through engaging and interactive die-cut pages.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional recognition, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses fun and interactive elements to help children recognize and articulate their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy playful and hands-on learning experiences.

• Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
  • Illustrator: Shelly Hehenberger
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book encourages children to treat their feelings like guests, acknowledging them and exploring what they might mean.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mindfulness, emotional processing
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes a healthy approach to dealing with emotions by encouraging mindfulness and curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Kids who need help managing complex emotions and those interested in mindfulness practices.

Challenging Books About Emotions for 5-Year-Olds

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Illustrator: 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 quiet, gentle rabbit arrives and simply listens, which is just what Taylor needs.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book tackles complex emotions surrounding loss and recovery, presenting them in a way that is accessible yet profound for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the power of silent empathy and listening, teaching children a valuable lesson about emotional support.
  • Perfect for: Children dealing with loss or those learning the importance of being a supportive friend.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
  • Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story explores the ties that connect us all, with the concept that an invisible string made of love links us to our loved ones, no matter the distance.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces abstract concepts of connection and separation anxiety in a thoughtful way that challenges young minds to think beyond the physical.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers comfort and understanding about separation and loss, reassuring children about love's enduring presence.
  • Perfect for: Kids experiencing separation anxiety or needing reassurance of their connections to loved ones.

• The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
  • Illustrator: 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 to avoid the pain of loss. Over time, she realizes that living without it is not really living.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of grief and emotional detachment in a metaphorical way that requires deeper thinking and emotional maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to face their fears and feelings, and teaches the importance of staying open to emotions.
  • Perfect for: Children grappling with emotional shielding or loss, and those who need help understanding their feelings.

• The Color Thief by Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters
  • Illustrator: Karin Littlewood
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A story about a young boy who sees his father's happiness drain away, turning his colorful world gray, and his journey to bring the color back.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces children to the concept of depression through visual metaphors, encouraging an understanding of complex emotional issues.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a poignant exploration of mood changes in loved ones, helping children empathize with those experiencing depression.
  • Perfect for: Kids witnessing emotional struggles in family members and those learning to empathize with others' feelings.

• When Sadness Is at Your Door by Eva Eland
  • Illustrator: Eva Eland
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book personifies sadness as a visitor, teaching children how to interact with this emotion, acknowledging its presence, and understanding that it is okay to feel sad.
  • Why this book is challenging: The personification of sadness invites children to engage with their emotions as external entities, a sophisticated psychological concept.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a gentle approach to accepting and dealing with sadness, promoting emotional resilience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers learning to accept and manage their emotions, particularly sadness.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring books about emotions, here are some fun and engaging exercises to try out. These activities are designed not just to improve reading skills but also to enhance emotional understanding, making reading a valuable part of your child's daily life.

• Picture Story Recap
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child to draw a scene or a character from the book.
  • How it helps: This encourages children to pay attention to details and improves their comprehension.
  • Tips: Keep colors and drawing materials handy to make this activity exciting and accessible.

• Emotion Charades
  • What it is: Act out different emotions from the book with your child.
  • How it helps: Helps children recognize and understand various emotions.
  • Tips: Use expressive facial gestures and body language to make it fun and educational.

• Read and Discuss
  • What it is: Read a book together and discuss the emotions of the characters.
  • How it helps: Enhances empathy and emotional vocabulary.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings.

• Create a Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that includes key events and emotions from the story.
  • How it helps: Helps with sequencing and understanding the emotional arc of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or pictures to represent different parts of the story.

• Book-Based Role Play
  • What it is: Take turns role-playing as characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages deeper engagement with the text and characters.
  • Tips: Allow your child to choose their favorite character to role-play.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a multi-dimensional, enriching experience that speaks to both the mind and the heart. By integrating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lifetime love of books and a keen understanding of emotions. So, grab a book and let the adventure begin!