10+ Best Books About Feelings for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to help your little one understand and express their emotions? Look no further! Our curated list of books about feelings for 3-year-olds is designed to guide your child through the colorful world of emotions, helping them to recognize and articulate what they feel in a healthy way. Keep reading to discover our top picks that are sure to resonate with both you and your toddler!

Fun Books About Feelings 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 sort through each emotion, color-coding them into jars.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually engaging tool for helping children understand and articulate their emotions in a clear and simple way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to identify and express their feelings.

• In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek, illustrated by 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 metaphor and beautifully illustrated.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to recognize and embrace their emotions, helping them understand that feelings are a natural part of life.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to explore their emotional range.

• 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, and disappointment, using engaging illustrations and simple rhymes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps kids connect their own experiences with the feelings described, enhancing emotional literacy.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who need help putting their feelings into words.

• When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story shows Sophie dealing with her anger, which feels overwhelming until she runs, cries, and sees the beauty of the world, which calms her down.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a realistic depiction of handling anger and offers a constructive way for kids to deal with intense emotions.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning how to manage strong emotions like anger.

• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book associates different colors with various feelings, using Dr. Seuss's rhythmic and engaging text alongside vibrant illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and poetic approach to understanding emotions, making it easier for kids to connect feelings with colors.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic texts and are learning to explore their emotions.

Educational Books About Feelings for 3-Year-Olds

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The story follows Jim Panzee, a monkey who wakes up feeling grumpy and can't seem to shake his bad mood, despite his friends' attempts to cheer him up.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional recognition, understanding that it's okay to feel different emotions, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that it's okay to have bad days and that they don't always need to hide their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Kids who might be feeling a bit grumpy themselves and need reassurance that their feelings are normal.

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book illustrates a range of emotions kids experience, from silly and scared to happy and sad, in Todd Parr's signature bold, bright colors.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional awareness, vocabulary of feelings, self-expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and reassuring way for children to learn about their emotions, encouraging them to express themselves however they feel.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are just starting to understand and name their feelings.

• Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: The book invites kids to see through the eyes of monsters each experiencing different emotions, from gladness to sadness, through engaging die-cut masks that readers can wear.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, emotional recognition, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a playful and interactive approach to exploring feelings, making it easier for kids to relate and understand.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy interactive play and are learning to empathize with different emotions.

• Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis, illustrated by Laura Cornell
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This charming book follows a young girl as she goes through a variety of moods, from silliness to sadness, with whimsical illustrations that capture the changing emotions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional literacy, self-awareness, expressive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful and honest look at how feelings can change day by day, helping children understand the normalcy of emotional shifts.
  • Perfect for: Kids who experience a wide range of emotions and enjoy lively, engaging stories.

Challenging Books About Feelings 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. All the animals are quick to offer advice, but it's the rabbit who stays quietly with Taylor until he's ready to talk.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with complex emotions and the concept of listening and processing feelings, which can be sophisticated for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of being a good listener and shows that sometimes support means just being there, rather than fixing things.
  • Perfect for: Children who need to understand the power of silence and support during tough times.

• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story explores the idea of an invisible string made of love that connects us to everyone we care about, even if they are far away or have passed on.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of love and loss that are profound and might be abstract for toddlers to grasp.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides comfort and understanding about separation and loss, explaining that love binds us across distances and differences.
  • Perfect for: Young readers dealing with separation anxiety or loss of a loved one.

• The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: A girl who was once curious 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 tackles the complex themes of grief and emotional protection in a metaphorical way that requires abstract thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to embrace their feelings, even painful ones, and discusses the importance of remaining open to experiences.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning how to cope with grief and the complexities of emotions.

• The Color of Us by Karen Katz
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning, Cultural Awareness
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Lena learns to see the beauty and variety of skin colors using food metaphors, celebrating the diversity of her urban community.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the themes of diversity and self-acceptance through a nuanced lens, promoting a deeper understanding of cultural differences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a celebration of diversity and an excellent tool for teaching young children about the beauty in different skin tones and cultural identities.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers beginning to notice and question human differences and those in diverse classrooms or communities.

• Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Michael Rosen shares his feelings of sadness after the loss of his son, exploring the various dimensions of his grief openly and honestly.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals directly with the topic of death and profound sadness, which are complex and serious topics for a young audience.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a raw and truthful look at sadness and grief, helping children understand that these feelings are normal and part of life.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are facing or learning about loss and the emotions that come with it.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! When it comes to nurturing a love for reading in your little ones, especially when exploring books about feelings, engaging them with fun exercises can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some simple activities designed for 3-year-olds that can help develop good reading habits while making reading time a joyous part of the day.

• Picture Talk
  • What it is: Look at pictures in the book and discuss what's happening.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and understanding of emotions.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to express thoughts.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Helps in retaining the story and understanding character feelings.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite character to role play.

• Book-Based Drawing
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages creative expression and helps with emotional identification.
  • Tips: Display their artwork to show that their interpretation is valued.

• Emotion Matching
  • What it is: Match expressions or scenes in the book with corresponding emotions.
  • How it helps: Aids in recognizing and naming emotions.
  • Tips: Use facial expressions yourself to make it more engaging and fun.

• Read and Repeat
  • What it is: Read a sentence and have your child repeat it after you.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and word recognition.
  • Tips: Praise efforts to boost confidence and enjoyment.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about building a deeper connection with your child through the power of books. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lifelong love of reading and a healthy understanding of emotions. Happy reading!