10(ish) Best Books on Emotional Intelligence for Kids
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What are the Best Books on Emotional Intelligence for Kids?
You may have been hearing a lot about emotional intelligence out in the parenting world these days. From my reading and research, and my experience with my own kids so far, it is very important. Emotional Intelligence refers to the ability to understand, manage, and express one's own emotions, as well as the ability to empathize with and navigate the emotions of others effectively. I have found that it is not always easy for kids (or adults) to talk about and understand their feelings let alone the feelings of others. So I’ve turned to books as a way to help us navigate these topics in a relaxing, nonconfrontational way. We are then able to refer back to them during times of “big” feelings.
For children, emotional intelligence is so important because it helps them with:
Social Skills: Children with high emotional intelligence can better understand and navigate social situations. They are more likely to form positive relationships, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts with their peers.
Self-Awareness: Emotional intelligence helps children recognize and understand their own emotions. This self-awareness is essential for personal development and forming a strong sense of identity.
Emotional Regulation: Children with emotional intelligence can manage their emotions appropriately, leading to better decision-making, problem-solving, and coping with stress or challenges.
Empathy: Understanding and empathizing with the feelings of others is a key component of emotional intelligence. Children who can empathize are more likely to build positive and supportive relationships.
Academic Performance: Emotional intelligence has been linked to better academic performance. Children who can regulate their emotions may experience less stress, leading to improved focus and learning outcomes.
There are several fantastic resources available to support children in developing their emotional intelligence. In this post, I’m going to focus on the best books on emotional intelligence that my children and I love. They can all be found on Amazon and some even have activities in them that support the themes of the book. In many cases, there are multiple books or series that I’m going to share but that’s because I couldn’t just pick one!
10(ish) Best Books on Emotional Intelligence for Kids
A Little Spot of Feelings (8 Book Box Set)
We love ALL of the Spot books! They not only help with learning to identify the many nuances of feelings but also how to manage them when they start to feel too “big”. I highly recommend checking this box set out and the “Ninja Life Hacks” series from the same company. You can buy box sets like you see here or you can pick out the individual books you think would work best for your child.
The Magic of Me (Box Set)
Recommended for 2-6 years old
Another awesome series of meaningful books for kids. We originally started with My Magical Words that is designed to build confidence through positive affirmations and My Magical Choices which is about making thoughtful decisions. The best book on emotional intelligence in this series is My Magical Feelings which is about understanding and expressing emotions. These books are a little on the longer side but work even if you break them up into multiple readings.
The Very Hungry Worry Monster
Recommended for 3-7 years old
My kids can be major worriers at times (can’t imagine where they got that from 🙄). There was a period of time where it took HOURS to fall asleep because they would hold all of their worries in until just before bed time and then once they did fall asleep, they would have bad dreams. We incorporated this book along with the plush dolls and activity book that go with it and it really helped us a lot!
Right Now, I am FINE
Recommended for 4-8 years old
Through my own journey with anxiety, I have learned how it is caused by mentally living in and focusing on the future (and sometimes the past). And the thing about the future is that it is not reality yet and it’s completely unknown (our thoughts on the past aren’t accurate either). I know this particular emotion has been an important one in our house to get a handle on and this book reminds us to focus on the present moment and remind ourselves that right now, we are FINE. This series also has great books about being brave and kind.
Everyone Feels…
Recommended for 4-7 years old
This book series for ages 3-10 addresses common feelings such as anger, sadness and anxiety. The focus is on normalizing emotions without making them “good” or “bad”. Helping kids to understand that they are not alone with their feelings.
Separation Anxiety & Loss
Recommended for 1-7 years old
My kids and I LOVE the book The Invisible String. When they first started going to school on their own and when they moved to “big kid beds”, we had a lot of talks about how we (Mom and Dad) are always there for them even if we’re not physically with them. This is also a great book to help kids who’ve experienced death or another type of loss. Another beautiful book is Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You which makes me cry every time we read it. And if your child is nervous about separating from you to go to school or day care, Sorry Grown Ups, You Can’t Go to School! is funny and it has consistently helped my kids deal with those going back to school jitters.
The Color Monster
Recommended for 2-5 years old
One of the most popular books about identifying emotions is The Color Monster. This is one that is frequently used in schools to start the conversation about feelings. It is simple and a classic. My toddler is currently a big fan and it has helped us with some of our tantrum moments which is always welcome!
The Power to Choose
Recommended for 4-7 years old
The power to choose series of books is an interactive “choose your own adventure” that empowers kids to see how their choices (and feelings and reactions) shape the way their day and their life goes. My kids really love to see the different ways the story changes depending on the choices they select for the main character. They are available in English and Spanish too!
Another great way to help children to talk about their feelings and the various obstacles life may throw their way is to put them IN the story! Wonderbly books are a not only a lot of fun, they make your child feel special to see themselves featured in a book. One of our favorites is “The Little Boy/Girl Who Dared to Dream” but there are many, many others to choose from!
Best Books on Emotional Intelligence for Older Kids
Since my oldest kids are only in second grade, we haven’t explored books for older kids yet. But, they’ll be older before I know it and many of you have kids who are in upper elementary and beyond so here are the results of my research for the age group of 7-11 years old:
Note: This blog may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Please be assured that I only recommend products or services that I personally prefer and genuinely believe will provide value to my readers.
Me and My Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Understanding and Expressing Themselves
Recommended for 7-10 years old
According to the description on Amazon, “this book gives kids the skills to stay in control—by breathing deeply, saying positive things to themselves, talking about their feelings instead of keeping them inside, and more. Help young girls and boys learn to deal with all kinds of feelings, including the hard ones like sadness, anxiety, or even fear.” It has lots of rave reviews and many parents mention reading it along with their kids and getting something out of it themselves!
The Confidence Code for Girls
Recommended for 9-12 years old
I actually came across this book a few years ago after lying awake worrying myself sick over how I can prevent my daughters’ high school experiences from being as awful emotionally as mine were (yes, they were toddlers. Yes, I know that’s crazy). I thought that maybe if they could have confidence and a solid growth mindset, that it could give them the tools to navigate the many complex emotions and social situations that come about at that age. I found this book that has really great reviews and addresses many of the things I worry about for my daughters at this age.
Thanks to my recent and past experiences with anxiety, depression and burnout, my mind has been intensely focused on my own emotions and how they impact my life and those around me. We all want to set our kids up for success in life and while aiming for “happiness” is nice, I think it’s pretty unrealistic. Instead, I’d like my kids to aim for peace and satisfaction with life. I’m hoping that will come with having emotional intelligence and unconditional love from their parents. I hope that you will find these books helpful in your pursuit of peace and satisfaction for your own kids’ lives. If you come across another book that should be included in a future “Best Books on Emotional Intelligence for Kids” list, please reach out and let me know!
