Recommended Books
- Books for Children: Preschool/Kindergarten
- Books for Children: Grades 1–3
- Books for Children: Grades 4–5
- Books for Children: Grades 6–8
- Books for Educators
- Books for Parents of Children in Preschool/Kindergarten
- Books for Parents of Children in Grades 1–8
Books for Children: Preschool/Kindergarten
A to Z: Do You Ever Feel Like Me? by Bonnie Hausman. Illustrated by Sandi Fellman. Each letter of the alphabet features a photo of a child expressing a different emotion. (emotions)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Illustrated by Ray Cruz. Some days, nothing goes right for Alexander, and he thinks about going to Australia. (identifying feelings, feelings change) Available in Spanish: Alexander y el dìa terrible, horrible, espantoso, horroroso.
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni. Alexander, a real mouse, makes friends with Willy, a wind-up mouse. Alexander wants to become a wind-up mouse like Willy but ends up helping Willy become real. (feelings change, friendship)
All My Feelings at Home: Ellie’s Day by Susan Conlin and Susan Levine Friedman. The story includes common situations children will recognize and introduces language children can use to talk about and accept their feelings. (emotions)
Amanda Pig on Her Own by Jean Van Leeuwen. Illustrated by Ann Schweninger. Amanda discovers the troubles and joys of being by herself. (identifying feelings)
Andrew’s Angry Words by Dorothea Lachner. Illustrated by The Tjong-Khing. After his sister accidentally bumps him, Andrew shouts angry words, which take on a life of their own and affect all those who encounter them. (identifying feelings, feelings change, accidents)
Angel Child, Dragon Child by Michele Maria Surat. Illustrations by Vo-Dinh Mai. Going to a new school in America is difficult for Ut, a Vietnamese girl who misses her mother back in Vietnam. (dealing with name-calling)
Angry Arthur by Hiawyn Oram. Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura. When his mother won’t let him stay up, Arthur becomes so angry that he creates a thunderstorm, hurricane, and universe quake, which begin to quiet down as Arthur’s temper does. (dealing with anger, feelings change, calming down) Available in Spanish: Fernando furioso.
Anna Banana and Me by Lenore Blegvad. Illustrated by Erik Blegvad. A little girl’s fearlessness inspires a friend to face his own fears. (identifying feelings, dealing with fear, helping)
Arnie and the New Kid by Nancy Carlson. A little boy learns about a classmate in a wheelchair. (similarities and differences, caring)
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. Camilla is so concerned about what others think that she is untrue to herself and comes down with a bizarre illness. (identifying feelings, feelings change) Available in Spanish: Un caso grave de rayas.
Be Good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Although Christy considers him a pest, Eddie Lee, a boy with Down’s syndrome, shares several special discoveries with her. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences)
Because Brian Hugged His Mother by David L. Rice. Illustrated by K. Dyble Thompson. When Brian hugs and kisses his mother one morning, the act starts a chain reaction of kindness and consideration that spreads throughout the town and eventually comes back to him. (identifying feelings, feelings change)
Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban. Frances teaches Albert about friendship and learns to appreciate her little sister Gloria while doing so. (identifying feelings, feelings change, having fun with your friends)
Big Al by Andrew Clements. Illustrated by Yoshi. Although Big Al is friendly, the other fish are afraid to go near him. But when Al saves the fish from the fishermen’s nets, he makes a sea full of friends. (similarities and differences, helping, feelings change)
The Blushful Hippopotamus by Chris Raschka. Roosevelt’s self-image improves as he begins to listen to his friend instead of his negative older sister. (identifying feelings, feelings change, joining in)
The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric. Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. When Lazlo transfers to a new school, he is teased by his classmates until two girls find the compassion to befriend him. (identifying feelings, feelings change, caring, dealing with name-calling, joining in) Available in Spanish: El niño nuevo.
But Names Will Never Hurt Me by Bernard Waber. A girl named Alison Wonderland learns to live with her name. (dealing with name-calling)
Cameron and Me by Dorothy Joan Harris. Illustrated by Marilyn Mets. Unhappy with his baby brother Cameron, a boy distances himself until another sibling is born, when he finds that he and Cameron have something in common after all. (identifying feelings, feelings change)
The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum by Deborah Blumenthal. Illustrated by Harvey Stevenson. Seized with a desire for a cookie while in the park, Sophie discovers that throwing a terrible tantrum will not get her what she wants. (identifying feelings, feelings change, calming down, dealing with anger)
Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards. Illustrated by Henry Cole. Though she may not be as colorful as others when she changes into a butterfly, Clara’s compassion and intelligence earn her an important place in her community. (helping, caring)
Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley. Illustrated by Derek Brazell. Just when it seems like he is the only person in his class who doesn’t have a talent, Ling Sung realizes he has a skill none of his other classmates have mastered. (frustration, identifying feelings, feelings change)
Communication by Aliki. This book covers lessons in the etiquette and skills of speaking and listening, in a colorful, humorous manner. (listening)
Crickwing by Janell Cannon. A lonely cockroach named Crickwing has a creative idea that saves the day for the leaf-cutting ants when their fierce forest enemies attack them. (identifying feelings, feelings change, strong feelings) Available in Spanish: Alatorcida.
Crow Boy by Taro Yashima. A boy who is different from his classmates attends school for six years in a village in Japan before a caring teacher recognizes and appreciates his difference and teaches the others the same. (similarities and differences)
David’s Drawings by Cathryn Falwell. A shy boy arriving at a new school makes friends with his classmates by letting them join in with a drawing he is doing. (friendship, joining in, feelings change)
Dealing with Feelings Series by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Jean Whitney. This series of books acknowledges specific feelings and offers safe and creative ways to express these feelings. Includes the following titles: I’m Mad, I’m Frustrated, I’m Proud, I’m Furious, I’m Scared, and I’m Excited.
Don’t Need Friends by Carolyn Crimi. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. After his best friend moves away, Rat rudely rebuffs the efforts of the other residents of the junkyard to be friendly until he and a grouchy old dog decide that they need each other. (identifying feelings, feelings change,
joining in)
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson. Illustrated by Tara Calahan King. With his father’s help, a little boy learns an effective recipe for turning an enemy into a friend. (identifying feelings, feelings change, having fun with your friends) Available in Spanish: Pastel para enemigos.
Everybody Has Feelings: Todos Tenemos Sentimientos by Charles Avery. A book of photographs. (emotions)
Feelings by Aliki. Pictures, dialogues, poems, and stories portray various emotions we all feel. (jealousy, sadness, fear, anger, joy, love, and others)
Feelings: Inside You and Outloud Too by Barbara Kay Polland. Photographs by Craig DeRoy. Photographs show different feelings. (emotions)
A Friend Like Ed by Karen Wagner. Illustrated by Janet Pedersen. Mildred accepts her best friend, Ed, even though he is eccentric sometimes. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences, having fun with your friends)
George and Martha by James Marshall. Five stories about two great friends who teach each other about dignity, honesty, trust, privacy, and the value of friendship. (emotions, having fun with your friends) Available in Spanish: Jorge y Marta.
George and Martha Round and Round by James Marshall. George and Martha disagree on some things but don’t allow this to ruin their friendship. They learn that jokes are okay sometimes, but not at the expense of others, and that friends don’t have to like the same things. (identifying feelings, caring, similarities and differences, having fun with your friends)
Getting Used to Harry by Cari Best. Illustrated by Diane Palmisciano. When her mother marries Harry, Cynthia finds that she has to adjust to changes in her life at home and share time with Harry. (identifying feelings, feelings change, dealing with anger)
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. Sam I Am tries to convince his friend to eat something he doesn’t want. (feelings change) Available in Spanish: Huevos verdes con jamón.
Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Marla Frazee. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc., 2000. Despite considerable effort, Harriet’s mother loses and then regains her temper. (identifying feelings, dealing with anger, strong feelings)
The Hating Book by Charlotte Zolotow. Illustrated by Ben Shecter. Through a misunderstanding, two friends snub each other and are unhappy until they finally talk and straighten things out. (identifying feelings, feelings change, having fun with your friends)
Herman the Helper by Robert Kraus. Illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. Herman the helpful octopus is always willing to assist anyone who needs his help—old or young, friend or enemy. (helping)
Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose and Hannah Hoose. Illustrated by Debbie Tilley. An ant pleads with a boy not to squash him. Can be read as a story; comes with musical notation. (similarities and differences)
Hooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Rodney’s speech impediment initially makes him the target of the class bully; later, it makes him a hero. (identifying feelings, dealing with name-calling)
How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina R. Friedman. Illustrated by Allen Say. An American sailor courts a Japanese woman, and each tries, in secret, to learn the other’s way of eating. (similarities and differences)
I Can’t Wait by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Marina Megale. (problem solving)
I Got a Family by Melrose Cooper. Illustrated by Dale Gottlieb. A young girl discusses her various loving relationships with each member of her family. (emotions)
I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson. A little pig likes and accepts herself. (identifying feelings) Available in Spanish: ¡Me gusto como soy!
I Want It by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Marina Megale. A girl considers different ways to get a toy she wants. (problem solving)
I Want to Play by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Marina Megale. A young boy considers eight ways to get someone to play with him. (problem solving)
I’m Lost by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Marina Megale. The reader is encouraged to help a little girl find her father again at the zoo. (problem solving)
Ira Says Goodbye by Bernard Waber. Ira is surprised to discover that his best friend, Reggie, feels happy about having to move to a new town. (identifying feelings, similarities and differences)
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber. Ira is excited at the prospect of sleeping over at his friend’s house but worried about how he’ll get along without his teddy bear. (dealing with fear)
It Wasn’t My Fault by Helen Lester. Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Accidents always seem to happen to Murdley Gurdson and they’re usually his fault, but when a bird lays an egg on his head, he tries hard to find someone else to blame. (accidents)
It’s Mine! by Leo Lionni. Three selfish frogs quarrel over who owns their pond and island until a storm makes them value the benefits of sharing. (feelings change, having fun with your friends, fair ways to play)
Jafta by Hugh Lewin. Illustrated by Lisa Kopper. An African boy describes some of his everyday feelings by comparing his actions to those of various animals. (emotions)
Jamaica Tag-Along by Juanita Havill. A little girl is feeling left out by her older brother. (identifying feelings, joining in)
Jazzbo and Googy by Matt Novak. Best buddies Jazzbo and Big Bear become friends with messy Googy. (identifying feelings, feelings change, helping, joining in)
Jeremiah Learns to Read by JoEllen Bogart. Illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson. Although Jeremiah is talented at many things, he doesn’t know how to read. When he decides to learn, he not only excels, but teaches his teacher and her students to do many new things. (identifying feelings, helping, similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Tomás aprende a leer.
Jessica by Kevin Henkes. A little girl has an imaginary friend. (identifying feelings, feelings change, having fun with your friends)
Julius, the Baby of the World by Kevin Henkes. Lilly is convinced that the arrival of her new baby brother is the worst thing that has happened in their house until cousin Garland comes to visit. (identifying feelings, strong feelings, feelings change) Available in Spanish: Julius, el rey de la casa.
Just for You by Mercer Mayer. A little boy tries to do nice things for his mom, but things don’t seem to work out. (caring)
Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus. Illustrated by Jose Aruego. Leo the lion can’t seem to do anything right, but with time, and his mother’s understanding, he blooms. (similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Leo el capullo tardio.
A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter accidentally bumps into Amy when he rushes out to mail an invitation to her. (accidents)
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, but when he asks her to wait a while before showing her purse, she does something for which she is very sorry later. (identifying feelings, dealing with anger, calming down) Available in Spanish: Lily y su bolso de plástico morado.
Little Bear’s Friend by Else Holmelund Minarik. Illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Little Bear makes a friend. (helping, caring, joining in)
The Loudness of Sam by James Proimos. A young boy who has always been allowed to express his feelings as loudly as he wants teaches his citified aunt to do the same. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences)
Louie by Ezra Jack Keats. Louie, who never talks and has no friends, falls in love with a puppet at a puppet show. (similarities and differences)
Louie’s Search by Ezra Jack Keats. Louie goes out looking for a father and instead finds a music box, which he’s accused of stealing. (identifying feelings, strong feelings, feelings change)
Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice by Sylvia Rosa-Casanova. Illustrated by David Roth. When her granddaughter comes down with the chicken pox, Mama Provi shares and trades a pot of rice with her neighbors on her way to take care of the child. They end up with a feast. (sharing, trading, caring)
Manners by Aliki. Each page of this book has a different story about manners told in comic book fashion. It illustrates good behavior in a friendly, humorous way. (interrupting)
Max by Bob Graham. Max, the son of superheroes, is late in learning how to fly. (identifying feelings, similarities and differences)
Mommy, Don’t Go by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Marina Megale. Matthew’s mother is going away on a trip and he will have to stay with a babysitter. (dealing with disappointment, dealing with frustration)
Moonbear’s Pet by Frank Asch. Bear and Little Bird find a baby fish in their pond and decide to keep her for a pet, but when she starts to sprout wings, or maybe paws, each thinks the fish wants to be like him, which puts a strain on their friendship. (identifying feelings, similarities and differences)
My Buddy by Audrey Osofsky. Illustrated by Ted Rand. A young boy with muscular dystrophy tells how he is teamed up with a dog trained to do things that the boy can’t do for himself. (similarities and differences, joining in)
My Dog Is Lost by Ezra Jack Keats and Pat Cherr. A boy who speaks only Spanish communicates to his neighbors that his dog is lost, and the community pulls together to find the dog. (identifying feelings, losing something)
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. Each color featured in this book represents a different emotion. (emotions)
My Name Is Not Dummy by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Maria Megale. Jenny doesn’t like it when Eduardo calls her names. (problem solving)
Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie dePaola. When his grandfather has a stroke, Bobby is afraid at first, but he overcomes his fear. (identifying feelings, feelings change)
Odd Velvet by Mary E. Whitcomb. Illustrated by Tara Calahan King. Although she dresses differently from the other girls and does unusual things, Velvet eventually teaches her classmates that even an outsider has something to offer. (similarities and differences, dealing with name-calling, joining in)
Old Henry by Joan W. Blos. Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Henry’s neighbors try to make him clean up his property and be more like them until he goes away and they begin to miss him. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences)
Oliver Button Is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola. Oliver doesn’t let teasing at school stop him from what he likes to do. (identifying feelings, dealing with name-calling) Available in Spanish: Oliver Button es un nena.
On Monday When It Rained by Cherryl Kachenmeister. Photographs by Tom Berthiaume. A young boy describes, through text and photographs of his facial expressions, the different emotions he feels each day. (emotions)
100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler. Illustrated by Arthur Howard. Jessica worries about collecting one hundred objects to take for the one hundredth day of school. (identifying feelings, feelings change, strong feelings)
Peach and Blue by Sarah S. Kilborne. Illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. A frog helps Peach see the world, while Peach helps the frog see things he hasn’t noticed. (identifying feelings, caring, helping, joining in)
Perfect Pigs: An Introduction to Manners by Marc Brown. Illustrated by Stephen Krensky. A simple and fun introduction to good manners. (manners)
Porcupine’s Pajama Party by Terry Webb Harshman. Illustrated by Doug Cushman. When Porcupine’s two friends sleep over, they watch a scary movie, talk about what they’re each scared of, and show each other that they don’t need to be afraid. (identifying feelings, dealing with fear, having fun with your friends)
Pugdog by Andrea U’Ren. When Mike learns Pugdog is a female, he begins to treat her differently. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences)
The Quarreling Book by Charlotte Zolotow. Illustrated by Arnold Lobel. It’s one of those days when things go from bad to worse until a dog starts the chain again, this time on the right track. (identifying feeling, feelings change)
Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off by Ann Martin. Illustrated by Nancy Poydar. Five-year-old Olivia’s new neighbor, Rachel, is in her kindergarten class, and they must overcome feelings of jealousy and competitiveness to be friends. (identifying feelings, feelings change, having fun with your friends)
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The most beautiful fish in the sea is lonely until he understands that to make friends, he must give of himself to others. (making friends, friendship, feelings change, emotions)
Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt by Lisa Campbell Ernst. While mending the pig-pen awning, Sam discovers that he enjoys sewing the various patches together but meets with scorn and ridicule when he asks to join his wife’s quilting club. (identifying feelings, dealing with name-calling)
Sheila Rae, The Brave by Kevin Henkes. When a brave mouse, who usually looks out for her sister, becomes lost and scared one day, her sister comes to the rescue. (identifying feelings, dealing with fear, helping)
Sisters by David McPhail. Though two sisters are different in many ways, they are alike too. (similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Hermanas.
Snail Started It! by Katja Reider. Illustrated by Angela von Roehl. When Snail insults Pig, he starts a chain reaction. Once he himself is hurt, he realizes that he must amend the situation. (identifying feelings, effect, feelings change) Available in Spanish: Todo empezó con Caracol.
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. After she falls headfirst into a bird’s nest, a baby bat is raised like a bird until she is reunited with her mother. (similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Stelaluna.
Sunshine Home by Eve Bunting. Illustrated by Diane De Groat. When Tim and his parents visit his grandmother in the nursing home, where she is recovering from a broken hip, everyone pretends to be happy until Tim helps them express their true feelings. (identifying feelings, caring, helping)
Teddy Bear Tears by Jim Aylesworth. Illustrated by Jo Ellen McAllister-Stammen. Each of four beloved teddy bears fears something at bedtime, and as a little boy explains away each fear, he makes the nighttime worry-free for himself too. (identifying feelings, feelings change, dealing with fear)
There’s No Such Thing As a Dragon by Jack Kent. The small dragon Billy finds grows bigger and bigger until the adults acknowledge its existence. (identifying feelings, feelings change)
Timothy Goes to School by Rosemary Wells. Timothy learns about being accepted and making friends during his first week at school. (joining in)
Wait Till the Moon Is Full by Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by Garth Williams. A little raccoon has to wait until the moon is full before he can go outside and explore the night. (waiting)
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. Seattle: Parenting Press, Inc., 2000. Illustrations and rhyming text portray children experiencing a range of emotions, including frustration, shyness, jealousy, and pride. (emotions)
We Are Best Friends by Aliki. When Robert’s best friend Peter moves away, both are unhappy, but they learn that they can make new friends and still remain best friends. (identifying feelings, feelings change, dealing with disappointment)
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes. Wemberly worries about everything, especially starting school, until she meets her teacher and makes a friend. (identifying feelings, feelings change, dealing with fear, joining in)
What’s Claude Doing? by Dick Gackenbach. A dog refuses all the neighborhood pets’ invitations to come out to play, not admitting that he’s generously keeping his sick master company. (caring)
When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman. Illustrated by Nancy Cote. A rabbit describes what makes her angry and the different ways she can control her anger. (identifying feelings, strong feelings, dealing with anger, calming down)
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang. When Sophie gets angry, she runs out and climbs a tree, and her anger begins to fade. (dealing with anger, calming down) (Caldecott Honor)
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. When mischievous Max is punished, he works out his anger through imagination, sailing off to be king in a land of wild creatures. (identifying feelings, strong feelings, feelings change, calming down) Available in Spanish: Donde viven los monstruos.
White Dynamite and Curly Kidd by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. Illustrated by Ted Rand. When she feels afraid, a girl thinks nice thoughts about where she’d like to travel to and about growing up to become a bull rider like her dad. (dealing with fear)
Who Is the Beast? by Keith Baker. When a tiger suspects he is the beast the jungle animals are fleeing from, he returns to them and points out their similarities. (dealing with fear, similarities and differences)
Why Am I Different? by Norma Simon. Illustrated by Dora Leder. Portrays everyday situations in which children see themselves as different in family life, preferences, and aptitudes, and yet feel that being different is all right. (similarities and differences)
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox. Illustrated by Julie Vivas. A small boy tries to discover the meaning of “memory” so that he can restore that of an elderly friend (helping, caring, similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Guillermo Jorge Manuel Jose.
Willie’s Not the Hugging Kind by Joyce Durham Barrett. Illustrated by Pat Cummings. A little boy discovers he needs hugs after all. (identifying feelings, feelings change)
Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka. New York: Orchard Books, 1993. This very simple story depicts two lonely boys who meet and develop a friendship. (joining in)
Yoko by Rosemary Wells. New York: Hyperion, 1998. When her teacher realizes that the handmade sushi Yoko’s mother packs for her lunch sets her apart from other students, she organizes an international potluck. (identifying feelings, feelings change, similarities and differences) Available in Spanish: Yoko.
