Children Ages 5 Under Books
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Recommended Books
Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney
Ages 2 and under
A baby-friendly book that reminds us that there is no limit to the love we share with those closest to us.
Giraffes Can't Dance, by Giles Andreae
Ages 2 and under
A story about Gerald the giraffe, who wants to dance but it’s hard for him. The book encourages children to be themselves and find the courage within.
I Like Myself, by Karen Beaumont
Ages 2 and under
A sassy story that encourages children to appreciate everything about themselves—inside and out. The book is a celebration of self-acceptance and self-love.
Happy Puppy, Angry Tiger, by Betsy & Brad Petersen
Ages 2 and under
The book features animal characters that are associated with different emotions. The story helps toddlers develop empathy and compassion by connecting with their own emotional experiences.
Why Cry?, by Yusuke Yonezu
Ages 2 and under
A lift the flap book about feelings and emotions. The book provides reassurance, encouraging children to accept that even with big feelings and tears everything will be okay.
In My Heart, by Jo Witek
Ages 2-4, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
This story talks about a different feeling on each page and describes how a person might feel when these feelings are present. It can be a starting point for children to process and understand their feelings.
The Color Monster, by Anna Llenas
Ages 2-4, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
This book is a story about different feelings and a girl who shows the Color Monster what each feeling means through color. At the end the Color Monster gain self-awareness and peace from his mixed-up emotions.
The Feelings Book, by Todd Parr
Ages 2-4, Process and understanding feelings
The book helps children understand and discuss their feelings—both the fun and not-so-fun—in a friendly and accessible way. The book conveys a message of love, acceptance and empowerment.
It’s Okay to be Different, by Todd Parr
Ages 2-4, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
The story celebrates all the ways we are unique and encourages children to embrace everyone’s individuality. The book offers an effective way to start a conversation about differences and finding commonalities.
Lovely, by Jess Hong
Ages 2-4, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
The book explores a world of ways we are different and ultimately celebrates seeing beauty in everyone. It can be used to spark a conversation about our differences and perceptions of lovely.
I Absolutely, Positively Love Spots, by Lidya Rivera
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings
This story follows the experiences of a young girl with vitiligo (spots) and how she accepts her unique self. It can inspire readers to appreciate what makes them different and to love “the skin you’re in”.
The Skin you Live in, by Michael Tyler and David Lee Csicsko
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings
The book discusses topics of friendship, social harmony, self-esteem and diversity with playful illustration and rhyming. It delivers the message of acceptance and encourages self-reflection.
Courage, by Bernard Waber
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English, Japanese, Chinese
The book highlights both big and small courageous actions of ordinary people. Delivering an empowering message for young readers, it explores how different kinds of courage bring out the bravery in each of us.
Sara’s Steps, by Niki Acton, Nicole Perry and Lynn Stone
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings
This book addresses the challenges facing a child with a visible burn injury. When Sara goes back to school after her burn injury she uses the STEPS tool (self-talk, tone of voice, eye contact, posture, smile) to help her face her classmates.
I Can Do Hard Things, by Gabi Garcia
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
This book introduces the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement. These tools help children tap into their inner strength and resilience.
What Do You Do With a Problem?, by Kobi Yamada
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings. Available in English and Spanish
This book inspires children to look closely at problems, to find the courage to face them and maybe learn something amazing about the problem and themself.
I Am Enough, by Grace Byers
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings
This book is about loving who we are, respecting others, and being kind to one another. It celebrates the beauty of each person and that our unique gifts are worthy of respect.
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings, by Britney Winn Lee
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings
This is the story of a little boy with big emotions and how he learns to see them as gifts. The story is relatable for any child, and especially relatable for a child identified as a Highly Sensitive Person, or a child on the autism spectrum.
Be Kind, Pat Zietlow Miller, Jen Hill
Ages 2-4, Understanding others’ feelings. Available in English and Spanish
A thoughtful book that shows children how to act with thoughtfulness and kindness. The story explores what it means to be kind and how any act, big or small, can make a difference.
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, by Sonia Sotomayor
Ages 4-5, Process and understanding feelings, Available in English and Spanish
This is a story about children with different challenges, and their special powers. It encourages readers to consider the power of asking questions when they encounter someone different, but they don’t know why.
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, by Laurie Ann Thompson
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings Available in English and Chinese
This is the inspiring true story of a boy born with a deformed leg, in Ghana, and the ways he surmounted everyday challenges– such as getting to school everyday and learning to ride a bike. The strong message that disability is not an inability.
We’re All Wonders, by R.J. Palacio
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings Available in English and Spanish
This book celebrates kindness, belonging and friendship. It tells the tale of Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. Auggie shares that he’s just like everyone else even if he doesn’t look like other people.
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship, by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings
Rescue and Jessica is a true story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog. The book describes the struggle and practice it takes for Jessica and Rescue her black lab service dog, to become a team and overcome obstacles of Jessica’s leg amputations.
When Charley Met Emma, by Amy Webb
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings
This book that helps children think about disabilities and models the importance of accepting differences with kindness and open heartedness. In the story, Charley meets Emma and learns ways she is both different and a lot the same.
Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings. Available in English and Spanish
The book celebrates human diversity and the essential things that make us the same. It tells the story of children across cultures and the importance of accepting what makes them unique and what unites us.
I Walk with Vanesa, by Kerascoet
Ages 4-5, Understanding others’ feelings.
This is a true story of a girl who stands up to bullying. It explores the feelings of helplessness and anger. It shows how an entire community was inspired to help.