Books & resources

Best Books for Big Feelings Ages 4–8

For when a small upset turns into a very big reaction.

Illustration of a child having a big emotional reaction to a small problem

If your child's feelings sometimes seem too big for the moment, a shared story can make them easier to talk about than a direct question ever could. Reading together, away from the heat of the moment, gives a child a way to point at a character or a colour instead of having to explain a feeling they don't yet have words for.

These are the picture books we think are most useful for naming, sitting with and talking about big feelings with children aged around 4–8. None of them are a fix on their own: they work best as a starting point for a conversation, alongside our guide to big feelings and the free Growing Wise game.

Quick picks

Best overallThe Colour Monster

Best for big outburstsThe Rabbit Listened

Best for worriesThe Huge Bag of Worries

Compare the books

Book	Best for	Age	Format
The Colour Monster	Naming feelings	3–6	Picture book
The Rabbit Listened	Sitting with difficult feelings	4–8	Picture book
The Huge Bag of Worries	Talking about worries	5–8	Picture book

Our recommendations

The Colour Monster children's book cover

Growing Wise pick

If your child can't find the words for how they're feeling

The Colour Monster (Anna Llenas)

Best for: Naming feelings
Age: 3–6
Why we chose it: It gives children a simple colour-for-emotion system, so pointing at a colour can stand in for a feeling they don't have the words for yet.
Try asking: "What colour do you think you feel like today?"

This may be useful ifyour child struggles to find words for a feeling, or responds well to a simple visual cue.

Choose something else ifyour child already names feelings easily and needs help with what to do next: see The Rabbit Listened below.

View on Amazon → Questions & activities →

The Rabbit Listened children's book cover

Growing Wise pick

If your child goes quiet or withdraws rather than shouting

The Rabbit Listened (Cori Doerrfeld)

Best for: Sitting with difficult feelings
Age: 4–8
Why we chose it: It shows that simply being there, without rushing to fix or explain, can be exactly what's needed after something upsetting happens.
Try asking: "What do you think would help the character feel better?"

This may be useful ifyour child goes quiet or withdraws when upset, or you want an alternative to "cheer up" advice.

Choose something else ifthe bigger issue is loud outbursts rather than withdrawal: The Colour Monster's naming system may be a more direct starting point.

View on Amazon →

The Huge Bag of Worries children's book cover

Growing Wise pick

If your child is carrying a worry they can't quite explain

The Huge Bag of Worries (Virginia Ironside)

Best for: Talking about worries
Age: 5–8
Why we chose it: It gives worries a concrete visual metaphor, which can make them easier for a young child, and a parent, to actually talk about. This is a conversation starter, not a treatment for anxiety.
Try asking: "If you had a worry bag, what might be inside it?"

This may be useful ifyour child mentions worries at bedtime, or seems anxious about something they can't quite explain.

Choose something else ifthe issue is more about anger or big reactions than worry specifically: The Colour Monster covers a wider range of feelings.

View on Amazon →

Want to practise this together?

Books work well alongside a short, calm activity. Your child can practise a similar situation in our free 5-minute game, or you can read our full guide to big feelings for what to say in the moment.

Try a big feelings scenario →

Is something else going on?

A specific loss or disappointmentLosing →

Friendship or sibling conflictFriendship & sharing →

A change that's thrown things offUnexpected change →

Free pack for big feelings

Scenario cards for moments that tip over, like a tower falling or losing a game, a Pause–Think–Choose activity and 12 calm phrases to try. Printable, for ages 4–7. Download it straight away.

Free. We’ll email you now and then with new activities. Unsubscribe anytime.

By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026

Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice.