I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of three year olds in my life right now. These sweet, coordinated, hilarious, opinionated little ones blow me away with their personalities, storytelling, and ability to recall exactly what their parents (or potty-mouthed aunties say). But the biggest surprise for me has been just how big the feelings are inside of these small bodies. I don’t mean that as a euphemism for drama or poor behavior, it’s truly that these sweet kids have such big experiences and are working through how to express themselves and process these feelings.

For adults and kids of all ages, it can be helpful to hear stories and to know we’re together in this work of being human. The children’s books below are meant to serve as a jumping off points for parents to talk to their little ones about different emotions, what they feel like, and how to process and experience them.

9 Books to Help You Talk To Your Kids About Emotions

1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Emotions: fear, separation, coping with changes

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children’s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp.

2. Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller

Emotions: empathy, kindness, the golden rule

3. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein

Emotions: making mistakes, growing, self-acceptance, perfection

Meet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake. She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school. In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable––she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way! 

4. We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacia

Emotions: kindness, belonging, empathy

We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children.

5. I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien

Emotions: feeling different, kindness, exclusion/inclusion

Maria is from Guatemala, Jin is from Korea, and Fatima is from Somalia. All three are new to their American elementary school, and each has trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in English. Through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the students learn to feel confident and comfortable in their new school without losing a sense of their home country, language, and identity. 

6. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon

Emotions: anger, shame, forgiveness, apologizing

“When David gets in trouble, he always says . . . ‘NO! It’s not my fault! I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!'” Whatever the situation, David’s got a good excuse. And no matter what he’s done “wrong,” it’s never really his fault.  Soon, though, David realizes that making excuses makes him feel bad, and saying he’s sorry makes him feel better. 

7. The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña and Christian Robinson

Emotions: empathy, diversity, new experiences

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.  Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal, A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, and A New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015.

8. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Geoff Stevenson

Emotions: sadness, grief, separation

Specifically written to address children’s fear of being apart from the ones they love, The Invisible String delivers a particularly compelling message in today’s uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, whether through anger, or distance or even death, love is the unending connection that binds us all, and, by extension, ultimately binds every person on the planet to everyone else.

9. Spinky Sulks by William Steig

Emotions: hurt, anger, sulking, making up

Spinky is convinced that his family hates him and goes off to sulk in his hammock. His brother and sister try to make amends. His mom even brings him a beautiful tray of food. But nothing can get Spinky to stop sulking—not even a circus passing by on his street! Will Spinky ever cheer up?