Home › Preschool Books › Feelings and Friendship
Feelings and Friendship Books. Preschoolers are still learning to name big feelings and get along with others. Stories give children words for what they feel and show how characters handle worry, anger, and kindness. These 11 books help with feelings, friendship, self-confidence, and getting along.
- 11 books
- Ages 3–5
- Summary and how it helps
- Author and publisher listed
A note about editions: publishers and covers change when books are reprinted, and some books are published by more than one imprint. The publisher listed is for a recent edition. Check the cover or the ISBN of the copy you buy or borrow. Your local library can often find any of these books for free.
Quick Picks
Use this table to compare the books. Tap a title to jump to the full summary.
| # | Book | Author | Publisher | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Kissing Hand | Audrey Penn | Tanglewood Publishing | 3–5 |
| 2 | The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions | Anna Llenas | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 4–5 |
| 3 | When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry… | Molly Bang | Blue Sky Press (Scholastic) | 4–5 |
| 4 | Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day | Jamie Lee Curtis | HarperCollins | 3–5 |
| 5 | Wemberly Worried | Kevin Henkes | Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins) | 4–5 |
| 6 | Chrysanthemum | Kevin Henkes | Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins) | 4–5 |
| 7 | Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids | Carol McCloud | Bucket Fillers | 4–5 |
| 8 | Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon | Patty Lovell | G. P. Putnam’s Sons | 4–5 |
| 9 | It’s Okay to Be Different | Todd Parr | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 3–5 |
| 10 | Llama Llama Red Pajama | Anna Dewdney | Viking Children’s Books | 3–5 |
| 11 | Hands Are Not for Hitting | Martine Agassi | Free Spirit Publishing | 3–5 |
Why Feelings and Friendship Books Help
Feeling words
Books give children names for emotions like worried, angry, and proud.
Empathy
Seeing how characters feel helps children understand others.
Coping skills
Stories show ways to calm down, make friends, and solve problems.
Confidence
Characters who overcome challenges inspire children to try.
11 Best Feelings and Friendship Books for Preschoolers
1. The Kissing Hand
- Author
- Audrey Penn
- Illustrator
- Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
- Publisher
- Tanglewood Publishing
Summary: Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, so his mother gives him a kiss on the palm to carry her love with him.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It helps children cope with separation and shows that love stays with us even when we’re apart. It’s a good book for starting school.
Try this: Make a ‘kissing hand’ ritual: a kiss on the palm before drop-off.
2. The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions
- Author
- Anna Llenas
- Illustrator
- Anna Llenas
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary: A monster wakes up confused, with all his feelings mixed together. A little girl shows him how to sort each emotion by color.
How it helps preschoolers learn: Linking colors to feelings gives children a simple way to name emotions. Sorting feelings shows that many feelings can exist at once.
Try this: Use jars or paper to sort your own feelings by color, and talk about what each means.
3. When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry…
- Author
- Molly Bang
- Illustrator
- Molly Bang
- Publisher
- Blue Sky Press (Scholastic)
Summary: Sophie is furious when her sister takes her toy, so she runs outside to calm down and returns feeling better.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It shows that anger is normal and that there are healthy ways to calm down. Children see that feelings can change.
Try this: Create a calm-down plan together, like a quiet place or deep breaths.
4. Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
- Author
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Illustrator
- Laura Cornell
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
Summary: A girl describes how her moods change from day to day, from silly to grumpy to excited, in playful rhyming verse.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It gives children many feeling words and shows that moods change. Silly pictures make feelings feel normal.
Try this: Ask your child to draw a face for how they feel today.
5. Wemberly Worried
- Author
- Kevin Henkes
- Illustrator
- Kevin Henkes
- Publisher
- Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)
Summary: Wemberly the mouse worries about everything, and especially about starting school. She finds a friend who also worries.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It names worry and shows that other children feel it too. It’s a comforting book for children who feel anxious.
Try this: Make a ‘worry plan’ together: what helps when you feel nervous?
6. Chrysanthemum
- Author
- Kevin Henkes
- Illustrator
- Kevin Henkes
- Publisher
- Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)
Summary: Chrysanthemum loves her name until children at school tease her about it. A kind teacher helps her feel proud again.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It tackles teasing and self-esteem, and helps children think about names and kindness. It’s also good for talking about differences.
Try this: Talk about what makes your child’s name special.
7. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids
- Author
- Carol McCloud
- Illustrator
- David Messing
- Publisher
- Bucket Fillers
Summary: Uses the idea of an invisible bucket: kind words and actions fill buckets, and unkind ones empty them.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It gives children a simple picture for kindness and how their actions make others feel. It’s a good starting point for talking about being kind.
Try this: Keep a family ‘bucket filler’ chart for kind acts.
8. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
- Author
- Patty Lovell
- Illustrator
- David Catrow
- Publisher
- G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Summary: Molly Lou is small and has buck teeth, but her grandmother tells her to be proud. When a bully teases her, Molly Lou stays confident.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It builds confidence and shows how to respond to teasing. It encourages children to love themselves.
Try this: Ask your child to name three things they like about themselves.
9. It’s Okay to Be Different
- Author
- Todd Parr
- Illustrator
- Todd Parr
- Publisher
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary: Simple, bold pictures show many ways people and families can be different, and that this is okay.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It teaches acceptance and welcomes children of all kinds. The short sentences are easy for young children to follow.
Try this: Talk about ways your family is different from other families, and ways it is the same.
10. Llama Llama Red Pajama
- Author
- Anna Dewdney
- Illustrator
- Anna Dewdney
- Publisher
- Viking Children’s Books
Summary: Baby llama feels worried at bedtime when his mama isn’t right there, and he gets upset until she returns.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It shows the feelings of waiting and worry, and that mama comes back. The rhyme helps with rhythm and bedtime.
Try this: Talk about what helps you feel safe at bedtime.
11. Hands Are Not for Hitting
- Author
- Martine Agassi
- Illustrator
- Marieka Heinlen
- Publisher
- Free Spirit Publishing
Summary: Explains in simple words that hands can do many good things, like clapping, waving, and helping, and that they are not for hitting.
How it helps preschoolers learn: It gives children positive actions to use in place of hitting. Short pages work well for young children.
Try this: Make a ‘good things hands can do’ list and draw each one.
Tips for Reading Feelings and Friendship Books with Your Child
- Pause and ask ‘How do you think she feels?’
- Connect the story to your child’s own day: ‘Have you felt like that?’
- Practice the calming ideas in the story when your child is calm.
- Don’t use books to lecture. Keep it warm and curious.
Pair These Books with More Learning
- Social and emotional activities
- Routine and friendship songs
- Kindness Compliment Pass game
- Calming songs
Feelings and Friendship Books FAQs
How can books help my child with big feelings?
Books let children see feelings from a safe distance. A character who feels the same way helps your child name the feeling and learn ways to cope. Talk about it after reading.
What books help with starting school or separation?
The Kissing Hand and Wemberly Worried are popular choices. They show characters who feel nervous and find comfort. Read them before school starts and again afterward.
How do I use these books without lecturing?
Ask open questions, like ‘What helped her feel better?’, and let your child answer. Share your own experiences, and keep it short and warm.
What if my child is frequently angry or very anxious?
Strong feelings are normal at this age. If they are very frequent, very intense, or you are worried, talk with your pediatrician or your child’s teacher.
More Book Lists
- English and Early Reading (12)
- Math and Counting (11)
- Science and Nature (10)
- Feelings and Friendship (11)
- Art and Creativity (8)
- Music, Rhymes, and Songs (8)
- Community and School Readiness (9)
- Parent Guides (7)
- All Preschool Books
Make Reading Part of Every Day
Pair these books with our free curriculum, activities, songs, and printables.
Sources
- CBS News: AAP recommends reading aloud to children daily, starting in infancy
- CDC: Milestones by 4 Years
- CDC: Milestones by 5 Years
- NAEYC: Developmentally Appropriate Practice
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice. Book summaries are written in our own words. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk with your child’s doctor or teacher.