Stories That Help Kids Name Big Feelings
Stories That Help Kids Name Big Feelings
During the first five years of life, big emotions can feel overwhelming and unfamiliar. Children become increasingly aware of their emotions throughout this critical brain growth period, yet they don’t have the maturity to make sense of them. Children under the age of 3 are especially sensitive in this regard, as they can experience emotions but are not always able to label them. This is why adults naming those feelings on children’s behalf is such an important step in helping children make sense of their inner world. When we equip our children with language, we equip them with confidence.
Picture books offer a safe, imaginative space for our little ones to explore emotions like worry, anger, sadness and joy without pressure or judgment. For this reason, it is important that we carefully choose stories that open gentle conversations about feelings, with characters kids can relate to and language they can understand in both our homes and our classrooms.
Why Naming Feelings Matters
When children can name their emotions, they begin to understand self-regulation skills. In order to regulate their emotions effectively, they must first understand what it is they feel! Frustrated, exhausted, hungry; these are big feelings for little people. Labelling feelings also helps kids identify what they’re experiencing and begin to develop self-awareness, which is a crucial building block for emotional intelligence (an important lifelong skill).
This, however, doesn’t mean that toddlers need a complex vocabulary of psychological terms. In fact, the simpler the language, the better. Break information down for your toddler by giving them simple, 2 word phrases. This method is about giving toddlers the words they need to say ‘I’m sad’ or ‘I’m mad’ as an alternative to lashing out or shutting down.
Remember, this is a skill best learned from regulated adults who role model this behaviour over and over and not a quick fix that will happen overnight.
How Picture Books Can Help
Children’s books and stories allow children to see emotions modelled in safe, relatable contexts. Stories can show what it looks like when someone feels anxious, lonely, excited or confused and most importantly, how those feelings are handled with care, compassion and empathy.
Through repetition and shared reading experiences, kids absorb the rhythm of empathy and problem-solving. They learn that all feelings are okay, that they don’t last forever and that they can be talked about. Consider books to be a regulated, familiar role model that your children can trust.
Books We Recommend
Here are some of our most beloved books designed to help children explore their feelings:
The Playful Astronauts takes young readers on an imaginative adventure across the solar system, where every planet holds a new life skill to discover.
As the crew of playful astronauts explores space, they encounter challenges that help them grow in confidence, empathy, resilience and kindness. Along the way, they also learn the power of adaptability, vulnerability, gratitude and how to navigate conflict with care.
More than just a fun story, The Playful Astronauts is designed to gently support children's social and emotional learning. Whether you're reading at home or in the classroom, this book offers families and educators a joyful way to explore big feelings and important values through curiosity, courage and connection.
The Shadow That Follows is a powerful picture book about a brave boy and the invisible burden he carries: A dark shadow that follows him everywhere he goes.
Told with deep care and empathy, this story gently explores themes of fear, safety and healing. As the boy’s shadow grows heavier, the quiet strength of friendship, family and community begins to shine through. With their support, he finds the courage to face what once felt too big, and slowly, the shadow begins to lift.
Inspired by the real-life experiences of survivor Conor Pall, The Shadow That Follows is a moving journey of resilience, self-discovery and hope. It's a story that honours children's inner worlds and reminds them and the adults who care for them that they don’t have to carry hard things alone.
Whether shared at home, in the classroom, or as part of a broader wellbeing conversation, The Shadow That Follows opens space for gentle, important dialogue about safety, strength and the power of being seen.
Storytime Tips for Grown-Ups
We’re proud to collaborate with Australian psychologists and teachers to ensure our stories support real-life learning and are true of real, lived experiences. Every book we publish is shaped by evidence, experience and heart. Here are a few things our authors suggest:
- Pause and reflect: After reading a page with a big feeling, you might say, ‘I wonder how they’re feeling right now?’ thus identifying the character's feelings and relating them to our own.
- Mirror emotions: Use facial expressions and tone of voice to model the feeling in the story. Adding depth and spirit to a story keeps children engaged and offers context. Create space for response: Invite children to share a time they felt the same way, if they’d like to. This is an ideal and natural time to reflect upon big feelings.
- These moments are about connecting. They’re about sharing and letting children know that all feelings (even the ones that make them feel uncomfortable) are normal and welcome.
Ready to explore more?
Our full collection of books is available at ambachildrens.com.au. Each story is thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated right here in Australia.
Because every big feeling deserves to be met with compassion.