3 Books to Teach Emotional Literacy to Your Child

Here at Our Calm Corner, we believe that the most powerful way to teach emotional literacy is through books. Emotional literacy is the ability to recognize, understand, express, and manage emotions. Helping children develop these skills early lays a strong foundation for emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and problem-solving. Books provide stories that children can relate to and characters who demonstrate how to navigate feelings.

Here are three books paired with an activity to foster emotional growth in your child.

“The Color Monster” by Anna Llenas

This beautifully illustrated book introduces children to emotions through the eyes of a confused monster who feels all his emotions at once. Each emotion—joy, sadness, anger, fear, and calm—is represented by a different color, making abstract feelings easier for young children to understand. This book is great for children ages 2-7 years old.

Why We Love It:

• The visual metaphor of colors helps children identify and name their emotions.

• The story shows how organizing and talking about feelings can lead to clarity and calmness.

• It encourages open communication about emotions and promotes emotional regulation by showing how to manage big feelings.

Activity: Label jars (or cups) with each emotion. Have your child go around the house and find different small objects of each color and place them in the jar. An alternative is to have them draw and cut out different objects of each color. Have your child pick one color and discuss a time they felt that emotion.

“In My Heart: A Book of Feelings” by Jo Witek

This interactive picture book explores a variety of emotions, from happiness and bravery to sadness and fear. Each emotion is described in an age-appropriate way, helping children understand the ups and downs of their emotional experiences. The book’s unique heart-shaped cutouts make the reading experience visually engaging and tactile. It's a great book for children ages 2-6.

Why We Love It:

• The book emphasizes that all feelings are valid, no matter how big or small.

• It normalizes the idea that emotions can change throughout the day.

• The poetic language and engaging illustrations capture young readers’ attention.

Activity: Cut out several heart shapes and assign each an emotion (e.g., joy, sadness, frustration). Decorate each heart by cutting out pictures from a magazine or online that represent how each emotion feels. Then hang the hearts in your Calm Corner. For younger children you can simply ask them how their heart feels today. This is a gentle way to start a conversation about their emotions.

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

This colorful picture book introduces children to a range of emotions, including happiness, anger, jealousy, and pride. Each emotion is paired with vibrant illustrations and short, rhythmic text that makes it easy for young readers to understand. This book is great for children ages 2-8.

Why We Love It:

• Helps children identify and label emotions with ease.

• The playful, rhyming text makes it engaging and memorable for young readers.

• Encourages children to express their emotions verbally.

Activity: Play emotion charades by taking turns acting out different emotions without saying a word. Let your child guess the emotion and talk about moments when you've felt the same way. This helps them practice recognizing non-verbal cues and builds empathy.

These three books provide meaningful ways to teach emotional literacy, helping children name, understand, and manage their emotions. By incorporating stories like these into your child’s routine, you create space for important conversations about feelings while fostering emotional growth.

Remember, teaching emotional literacy is a journey, and every small step you take with your child helps them build a stronger emotional foundation.

Be sure to follow @withlaurensullivan on Instagram for more emotional regulation and literacy for your little ones.

In Your Corner,

Lauren Sullivan