Great Read Alouds: Picture books with big feelings
Childhood is full of big feelings. Some kiddos take it in stride and breeze right through exploring their feelings. Other kids meet the, often overwhelming, challenge of big emotions like hitting a brick wall. Here are some books to help kids and parents navigate the waters of new feelings and how to regulate them.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
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oved by parents, educators, therapists and social workers, The Invisible String is about a mother who tells her two children about the invisible string that connects everything. They don't believe her but continue to ask questions about it. Does everybody have an Invisible String? How far does it reach? Does it ever go away?
The themes in this book are universal and perfect for dealing with loss, moving, friendship issues, family problems and nighttime fears. This picture book acknowledges children's feelings and assures them the feelings are normal, healthy to express and they have the right to feel them.
The Boy With Big, Big Feelings, #1 in The Notebook of Doom series by Troy Cummings
The boy has feelings so big they glow from his cheeks, spill out his eyes, and jump up and down on his chest. When he hears a joke he bursts with joy. When a loud truck drives by he cries. When his loved ones are having a hard day he feels their emotions as if they were his own. He tries to stuff down his feelings. With a little help and artistic inspiration, the boy realizes his feelings are something to be celebrated.
This one is for kids whose emotions take on a life of their own and grow out of control. Children will find this book reassuring if they worry they might be alone with their great big feelings.
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
This book has all the feels! Emotional intelligence is so important when kids are growing up and Janan Cain has created a non judgmental book. There is a different gorgeous illustration on each page to help very little kids explore their feelings and distinguish them from one another.
Children will discover that feeling silly, scared, disappointed, happy, sad, angry, thankful, frustrated, shy, bored, excited, jealous and proud are feelings everyone has and are a normal part of growing up.
