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

Hey there! Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to help your little one understand and express their emotions? You're in luck! Our latest roundup of books about feelings for 5-year-olds is packed with options that are both engaging and educational. These stories are tailored to help children navigate the complex world of emotions in a way they can easily grasp. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to resonate with your preschooler.

Fun Books About Feelings for 5-Year-Olds

• The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book features a friendly monster who is confused about his mixed feelings until a little girl helps him sort out his emotions by color.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses clear, engaging illustrations and simple text to help young readers understand and articulate their feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to explore their emotions and those who enjoy colorful, interactive books.

• 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 the lens of a young girl who describes how each feeling can physically feel inside her heart.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its whimsical illustrations and die-cut features make it a tactile experience that encourages children to recognize and express their emotions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy engaging, hands-on books and those learning to express their feelings.

• The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book details various emotions children experience, such as jealousy, excitement, and disappointment, using simple language and vivid illustrations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children connect words to their emotions, enhancing their emotional literacy and self-awareness.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are just starting to describe their feelings and parents seeking a tool to discuss emotions with their kids.

• When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Sophie becomes overwhelmed with anger when she has to share a toy. The story follows her as she deals with her intense emotions and finds a way to calm down.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a realistic portrayal of anger and offers coping strategies that children can apply in their own lives.
  • Perfect for: Children who are learning how to manage strong emotions and parents who want to help their children navigate their feelings.

• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book describes the different feelings a person might have every day, associating each emotion with a specific color and animal illustration.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces emotional concepts to young children in a fun, relatable way, using Dr. Seuss's rhythmic and engaging writing style.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy rhythmic texts and learning about emotions through creative and colorful illustrations.

Educational Books About Feelings for 5-Year-Olds

• Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Jim Panzee wakes up in a bad mood and despite his friends' advice to smile and feel better, he learns it's okay to feel grumpy sometimes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional awareness, self-acceptance, social interactions
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches children that it's perfectly normal to have bad days and that acknowledging one's feelings is healthier than suppressing them.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning to understand and accept their emotions, and anyone who needs a reminder that it's okay to not always feel okay.

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: When something terrible happens to Taylor, all the animals come to help, but only the rabbit quietly listens, which is what Taylor needs the most.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, listening skills, emotional processing
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the power of listening and shows how different people need different kinds of support when they're upset.
  • Perfect for: Children and parents looking to enhance their empathetic listening and those dealing with difficult emotions.

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book explores a wide range of emotions, encouraging children to express themselves in healthy and positive ways.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional expression, vocabulary development
  • Why we recommend this book: Todd Parr's distinctive, bold colors and simple art are engaging, and the book's message promotes emotional health and self-awareness.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who are beginning to explore their feelings and those who enjoy bright, bold illustrations.

• 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, understanding them, and letting them go when they're ready.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mindfulness, emotional regulation, self-awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses poetic language and beautiful illustrations to teach children how to engage with their emotions in a mindful way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning about mindfulness and emotional processing, and families who practice or are interested in mindfulness techniques.

Challenging Books About Feelings for 5-Year-Olds

• Today I Feel... An Alphabet of Feelings by Madalena Moniz
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book takes young readers through the alphabet, with each letter representing a different emotion, from Adorable to Zzzz.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces a wide range of emotions, some of which are complex and nuanced, providing a broader vocabulary for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great tool for children to learn about the subtleties of emotions and to expand their emotional vocabulary in a playful, artistic way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready to explore a wider range of emotions and those who enjoy alphabet-themed books.

• The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This poignant story follows a girl who, afraid of feeling heartache, decides to lock her heart in a bottle and wear it around her neck.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles complex themes of loss and emotional protection in a way that is profound yet accessible for young minds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to understand and accept their emotions, even the painful ones, and discusses the importance of staying open to feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children dealing with loss or big life changes, and those who need encouragement to express their feelings.

• The Color Thief: A Family's Story of Depression by Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Peters, illustrated by Karin Littlewood
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This story is about a young boy who notices that his father is stealing all the colors from the world, symbolizing the father's struggle with depression.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces the concept of mental health and depression through metaphor, which can be a complex topic for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps children understand and empathize with mental health issues in a sensitive and accessible way.
  • Perfect for: Families affected by mental health issues or those who want to educate their children about empathy and emotional health.

• How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: Using a variety of fruits and vegetables carved into characters, this book explores emotions through playful food art and clever puns.
  • Why this book is challenging: The use of visual metaphor to discuss emotions encourages deeper thinking and interpretation skills in young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to discuss feelings, fostering emotional intelligence through creativity and art.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy creative art, playful puns, and exploring their feelings in a light-hearted manner.

• Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Emotional Learning
  • Synopsis: This book, written by Rosen about his own grief, is a candid exploration of sadness that addresses the author's feelings following the death of his son.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals directly with grief and sadness, presenting these heavy emotions in a straightforward and honest manner.
  • Why we recommend this book: It validates the feelings of sadness that children may experience, teaching them that it's okay to feel sad and to talk about these feelings.
  • Perfect for: Children experiencing grief or sadness and families who wish to discuss these difficult emotions openly.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading about feelings is a fantastic way for your 5-year-old to learn empathy and emotional intelligence. Here are some engaging exercises that can help enhance their reading experience and develop good habits early on.

• Picture Storytelling
  • What it is: Create a story together using the pictures in a book about feelings.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and understanding of emotional cues.
  • Tips: Let your child explain what each character might be feeling based on their expressions.

• Emotion Matching
  • What it is: Match words or events in the book to different emotions.
  • How it helps: Builds vocabulary and helps children connect words with emotions.
  • Tips: Use facial expressions or emoticons to make the matching fun and relatable.

• Role Play Reading
  • What it is: Take turns reading different characters' parts with emotions.
  • How it helps: Improves reading fluency and emotional understanding.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to express the emotions of the characters as they read.

• Feelings Diary
  • What it is: Keep a diary where your child can draw or write about their feelings after reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages reflection and emotional expression.
  • Tips: Make it a relaxing routine after reading each book.

• Book-Themed Craft Time
  • What it is: Create crafts based on the themes or characters of the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the themes and lessons learned in the book.
  • Tips: Use simple materials like paper, crayons, and glue for the crafts.

These fun and simple exercises are not only enjoyable but also incredibly beneficial in fostering a love for reading and a deeper understanding of emotions in your child. Happy reading and exploring feelings together!