Guess How Much I Love You
Sam McBratney; illustrated by Anita Jeram · 1994
Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare try to outdo each other describing how much they love one another.
Books by topic
Feelings & Social-Emotional Learning
Stories give children words for feelings they cannot yet name and a little distance from which to look at them. A child who has watched a character lose their temper, apologize or grieve has a model to think with.
These books work best when the adult reads them before a crisis rather than as a response to one, and leaves time for the child’s own comments.
- Picture Books
- Early Readers
- Chapter Books
- Middle Grade
- Graphic Novels
- Nonfiction & Biography
- Science & Nature
- History & Biography
- Fantasy & Imagination
- Diverse Books
- Feelings & Social-Emotional Learning
- Classroom Favorites
- Teen Reading
13 books
Sorted from youngest suggested age. Age ranges are editorial estimates.
Last Stop on Market Street
Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Christian Robinson · 2015
CJ rides the bus across the city with his grandmother after church, and she helps him see beauty in the people and places along the way.
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst; illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff · 2000
A mother reassures her twins that an invisible string made of love connects them to the people they care about, wherever they are.
The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn; illustrated by Ruth E. Harper, Nancy M. Leak · 1993
Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, so his mother kisses his palm to give him a kiss he can carry with him.
The Rabbit Listened
Cori Doerrfeld · 2018
When Taylor's block tower falls, animal after animal suggests what to do — until the rabbit simply listens.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · 1963
Sent to bed without supper, Max sails away to the land of the wild things, becomes their king, and then returns home where his supper is still hot.
A Chair for My Mother
Vera B. Williams · 1982
After a fire destroys their home, a girl, her mother, and her grandmother save coins in a jar to buy a comfortable armchair.
Chrysanthemum
Kevin Henkes · 1991
Chrysanthemum loves her name until classmates tease her about it on the first day of school.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Kevin Henkes · 1996
Lilly loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger, until he confiscates her new purse — and she has to find a way to make things right after acting out.
My Friend Is Sad
Mo Willems · 2007
Piggie tries costume after costume to cheer up a gloomy Gerald the elephant — not realizing he is sad because he missed her.
Each Kindness
Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by E. B. Lewis · 2012
Chloe and her friends shun a new classmate, Maya, and Chloe later realizes she missed her chance to be kind.
Wonder
R. J. Palacio · 2012
August Pullman, born with a facial difference, attends school for the first time in fifth grade; the story is told from several viewpoints.
Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson · 1977
Jess and his new friend Leslie create an imaginary kingdom in the woods; the story contains a sudden death.
Related guides
Books for Big Feelings: Picture Books and Early Readers About Emotions
Picture books and early readers that help children name anger, sadness, worry, separation, grief and frustration, with how to read them: pause, name, validate.
Talking About Hard Topics Through Books: Grief, Separation, Racism, War and More
How to use books to talk with children about grief, separation, illness, racism and war: preview first, follow their questions, be honest, and know when to get help.