Poor Allie! She’s in a rage, throwing a tantrum, and having a fit! Her emotions have built and built and now they just burst. Is there a sweet little girl hiding somewhere under all the angry layers? And can her big brother find a way to make things all right again? Allie All Along explores simple ways kids can center themselves in the face of overwhelming emotions. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: managing emotions

Charlotte likes quiet. But wherever Charlotte goes, she is surrounded by noise, noise, noise—her yipping dog, Otto; the squeaky, creaky swings; the warbling, wailing sirens. Even in the library, children yammer and yell. Where can Charlotte find a quiet place? Sara Woolley’s magnificent watercolors bring Charlotte’s city to life when Otto leads her on a wild chase through the park. There, Charlotte discovers a quiet place where she never would have imagined! Sometimes children need a break from our noisy, over-stimulating world.Charlotte and the Quiet Place shows how a child learns and practices mindful breathing on her own and experiences the beauty of silence. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: managing emotions

Sometimes Sophie worries ― not during the day when she is busy with family and friends, but at night when everything is calm and quiet. What if her favorite shirt is still in the wash and she can’t wear it over the weekend? Or what if she forgets her packed lunch and has nothing to eat at school? Her worries keep her awake at night, making her tired and grumpy the next day. Her family all try to help, but somehow they just make her worries worse. Then, her mother thinks of a new approach … that might just involve an elephant or two! But wait, don’t think about purple elephants, whatever you do! As Sophie imagines purple elephants – and blue monkeys and red giraffes – getting up to all kinds of amusing antics, her worries fade and she goes to sleep happy, ready to have fun the next day. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: anxiety

Elfie the dachshund is the best dog anyone could every ask for. Every day, she and her owner explore and play together. And every night, her owner tells her "I'll always love you." Elfie owner grow up togther, but growing up can mean having to say goodbye to the ones you love. This tender story is a perfect way to make the topic of loss a little less scary for kids (and grownups). View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: grief, pet loss

Have you ever been so frustrated that you just want to scream? Ben is a kid who loves to play, especially with his puzzles, which help him learn and grow. But he often experiences many BIG emotions when things don’t go his way. Like many other kids, he has to learn different ways to help him cope with his anger so he can calm himself down. In I’m Just a Kid, Ben’s big emotions can be overwhelming, but with a little help from Mom, he learns how to engage more mindfully, self-regulate, and develop emotional resilience. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: managing emotions

Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: anxiety, overcoming fears, growth mindset

When Esperanza finds a heart-shaped rock, she sees it as a reminder to spread kindness and love in the world. But when the school play doesn't go as planned, will she remember to show kindness to herself? We talk to kids a lot about how to be friends with others but less about how to be friends with themselves. Yet when kids show themselves empathy and understanding, especially when they make mistakes, it helps build their emotional resilience and sense of well-being. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: self-esteem, resiliency, growth mindset

Louis always interrupts! All of his thoughts are very important to him, and when he has something to say, his words rumble and grumble in his tummy, they wiggle and jiggle on his tongue and then they push on his teeth, right before he ERUPTS (or interrupts). His mouth is a volcano! But when others begin to interrupt Louis, he learns how to respectfully wait for his turn to talk. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: self-control

In this picture book for children and adults, illustrated by Jim Durk, who is adored by thousands of children for his many Clifford the Big Red Dog and Thomas the Steam Engine books, a young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future. He sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: focusing, managing emotions

As one artist incorporates accidental splotches, spots, and misshapen things into her art, she transforms her piece in quirky and unexpected ways, taking readers on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas—and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: anxiety, self-esteem, perserverance 

From tiger fierce to snail slow, there are lots of ways to feel and be. A walk through the menagerie of Tiger Days helps young readers see all the feelings they have and the ways those feelings change. Through playful rhymes and colorful illustrations, this spirited book gives children new tools to understand the range of their emotions and express themselves to family, teachers, friends, and themselves. View on Amazon

Themes: learning emotions

If you see someone in a wheelchair, you might think he or she couldn’t compete in a race. But…you might be wrong. What if you see a child with no hair? Do you think she is embarrassed all the time? How about a kid who has a really hard time reading? Do you think that means he’s not smart? You might think so. But…you might be wrong. With clear prose and lighthearted artwork, this book explores the preconceived notions we have about the world and encourages kids to be more thoughtful. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: acceptance, empathy

Straightforward and comprehensive, this indispensable book is a comforting aid to help young kids and families through a difficult time in their lives. No one can really understand death, but to children, the passing away of a loved one can be especially perplexing and troublesome. This is true whether the loss is a family member, friend, or pet. Here to offer advice and reassurance are the wise dinosaurs from the bestselling Dino Tale series. This succinct and thorough guide helps dispel the mystery and negative connotations associated with death, providing answers to kids' most-often asked questions. View on YouTube | Buy on Amazon

Themes: grief