Did you know that reading with your kiddos supports the development of emotional intelligence? Well it does! By enhancing vocabulary, creating an openness to experience, and providing safe space for emphatic imagination, books open our children to the world of emotions in pretty powerful ways. This month, the #kidlitpicks theme is Little Kids, Big Emotions and we are excited to share some great picture books that address your children’s big and budding feelings! Some books will aim directly at helping kiddos understand and express themselves (a major tantrum-busting skill) by featuring an array of emotions, illustrations, and feeling words. Other books will feature stories that give children the opportunity to imagine themselves in interesting narratives about sadness, hope, joy, fear, angry, and all the rest. This month’s @kidlitpicks theme was chosen and introduced by @afriendlyaffair, with a special message: As a clinical psychologist, I feel strongly about the importance of giving your kids a plethora of ways to express themselves. Hopefully your feed will be full this month of books that help us all along the way of building a good base of knowledge, play, and imaginative experiences so that our kids can understand the world around them and be resilient.
“All the ups and downs in life, the zigzags and u-turns, can be difficult to navigate, but with a friend at our side in all those places to be, we’ll get through.” — Summer from @readingisourthing
“It is wonderful for opening discussions on feelings, friendship, diversity and, of course, abstract art..” — Clarissa from @book.nerd.mommy
“We all know a little girl like her!” — Kim from @bookbairn
“This primer is a perfect introduction for kids and a great refresher for their grownups.” — Miranda from @bookbloom
In My Heart, by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
“The die cut hearts are one of the many appealing features of this book.” — De from @books_and_babycinos
The Forever Garden, by Laurel Snyder and Samantha Cotterill
“A wonderful story about friendship and gardening! ” — Arielle from @childrensbooksgalore
Emily’s Blue Period, by Cathleen Daly
“For families going through separation or divorce, Emily’s Blue Period is an especially compassionate and helpful book…be sure to have some art supplies ready to make your own collage afterward.” — Rossa from @curiouslittlepeople
“Older children will appreciate this metaphorical story that is a tender exploration of loss and grief from a sibling’s perspective.” — Rossa from @curiouslittlepeople
A Book of Feelings, by Amanda McCardie
“What sets this book apart is that it not only focuses on different kinds of emotions but also how those emotions may affect them and how to identify and understand them in other people.” — Rossa from @curiouslittlepeople
“I think this book is great for both welcoming children to classrooms and also providing American children with an understanding of what it feels like to be new and learn how to speak and write a new language..” — Charnaie from @hereweeread
“It was a great reminder for me that there are times to be firm and strict but there are just as many times to show empathy. Both are important.” — Wendy from @homegrownreader
“A beautiful and hopeful look at understanding emotion.” — Heather from @kidlitbookbits
“The Color Monster is the perfect emotional primer for young kids. It explores the range of emotions children experience — all through amazing pop-up pages bursting with color!” — Anna from @kidlitcrafts
Today I Feel, by Madalena Moniz
“Today I Feel fits in perfectly with the theme. It’s an Alphabet book of feelings.” — Mel from @kids.books.we.love
Annie’s Chair, by Deborah Miland
“In a deceptively simple way, it taps into some of the BIG preschooler emotions around sharing and space..” — Shannon from @ohcreativeday
“A great door to talk to kids about these grumpy feelings and learning how to deal with them.” — Michelle from @the.book.report
Your turn: What books would you add to this list? Feel free to share in the comments.
