Kindergartener Zadie Barnes tries to sound out some words.
Charming and gorgeous new books about emotions for Preschool to First Grade readers
By Zoey Ariel Barnes
There are some days when I do not know what to say to my daughter’s big emotions. Even as a therapist myself. Even as her mom. Sometimes, it is enough to sit with my child through her big emotions and hold her and soothe her while she cries. But as my six-year-old has become more verbal and perceptive about her emotions, she will demand an answer. “What’s your hypothesis?” she asks, or “Why, mama?”
Many times, I still do not have the answer. Then I feel stuck. I wish I could be like a TV mom, always there with the right calming answer at the right time. I say, “I don’t know,” and I keep holding her.
The other night my daughter called us into her room. She was crying, tears down her face, sad about something that had upset her that day. It seemed small, but it was big to her. No amount of explanations I offered helped. Silence only invited more questions, and then I said, “Honey, do you know Mommy and Daddy will always be your Mommy and Daddy?”
She stopped crying. “Yes,” she said, with a little smile, “I definitely knew that.”
“Did you know Mommy and Daddy will always love you?”
“Yes,” she said, “I definitely know that, too.”
“Did you know that we will always be here and always be around?”
“Yes,” she said. And, then, somehow, miraculously, she let out a little sigh, turned over, and let me snuggle her as she fell asleep.
Honestly, I know this won’t always work, and I won’t always have the right words. I like these books below—all about social-emotional themes in their own way—because they help me and my daughter to grow our vocabulary for hard moments. There have been some hard moments over the past few weeks, unusual circumstances, changes, big emotions. I’m glad that books will always be there to show us a steady path.
Zadie reading ‘Bookie and Cookie.’
Bookie and Cookie by Blanca Gomez (2024) ages 3 to 7
My child was immediately drawn to Bookie and Cookie, written and illustrated by Blanca Gómez, an illustrator living in Spain. We both adore her chubby, round, colorful, and cute illustrations in Red House, Tree House, Itty Bitty Brown Mouse, Very Good Hats, Lejos/Far, and Cerca/Near. In this book, Bookie and Cookie are best friends. Bookie reads books to Cookie, and Cookie bakes yummy goodies for Bookie. Cookie is afraid of change and fearful to try what he’s never known. Just as good a message for adults as small children, this book explores what it takes to open our minds up to new experiences especially for the sake of special friendships.
Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld (2024) ages 3 to 5
My child came home from school one day excited to tell me that the school counselors had read to her class The Rabbit Listened, the first book about emotions by Cori Doerrfeld. In that book a little kid is grieving and most of the animals are no help. In this book, Riley has built a paper airplane and is ready to take off when many pesky animals tell Riley exactly how the plane should be in their eyes. The sweet twist at the end reminds us as caregivers that often the best advice is to hold our charge’s hand and remind them that they got this.
The Verts by Ann Patchet, illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser (2024) ages 4 to 8
If you’re a fan of Fancy Nancy, you will immediately recognize the illustrations by Robin Preis Glasser. And, if you’re a fan of adult books, Ann Patchet might be a household name. This book is, as it says on the cover, a story of introverts and extroverts. Ivan wants a quiet birthday party. Estie adores a riotous party full of friends and neighbors…and babies, rabbits, parakeets, and a Chihuahua named Moose. If you’re an introvert like me or Ivan, this might be giving you heart palpitations. If you’re an extrovert like Estie, it’s the perfect party where Estie is having a fabulous time. It takes Estie a while to realize her brother is nowhere to be found. When Estie finds Ivan, even though they don’t understand each other, they can respect each other, honor each other’s needs, and love each other. That’s what we all need out of a sibling or a friend.
Silver Linings by Fiona Woodcock (2023) ages 4 to 8
Silver Linings is a book about friendship, specifically about friends who have different temperaments. Pip has a little bit of a harder time with challenges. Parker turns most lemons into strawberry lemonade, literally. Throughout the book, we see Pip gently beginning to see the possibility in difficult moments. When, at the end of the story Parker is the one who now needs consoling, Pip knows exactly what to do. Like The Verts, this is a helpful story to share how two friends (or family members) can be so different but can also help each other in their own way.
‘Not Quite Narwhal’ by Jessie Sima.
The 2023 Caldecott-winning book by Doug Salati.
Hot Dog by Doug Salati (2022) ages 4 to 8
This winner of the Caldecott Medal and the Ezra Jack Keats Award is the third from writer and illustrator Doug Salati. It might seem an unusual addition to this list at first, but if you have a child who gets overstimulated (or, if like many of us, you sometimes get overstimulated yourself), this book has the perfect antidote. The illustrations paint a striking story about a city Daschund who has had it. The pictures are energetic, unique, and moving and carry along the minimal text. I hope this book inspires you to change your plans when things get a little too frantic, and that coming back home is all the more precious because of your little break. I hate to spoil it, so you’ll have to experience this breath-of-fresh-air tale for yourself.
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima (2017) – ages 4-8
My daughter was quite upset that this book was in my pile as it is her book—that’s how much she loves it. We received this sweet story as a present, and it is definitely in our most-read pile. Kelp was born in the ocean and has always felt a little different from his narwhal family despite feeling loved all the same. A remarkable discovery leads Kelp on a mini journey of self-exploration. Will Kelp stay in the ocean or seek out something new? This sweet tale reminds us that it’s OK to be who you are and that everyone is actually better off because of it.
Getting lost in a good book.
A final note: Support your local independent bookshops! Thank you to Christian at Bee Hive Books who helped me to pick out these excellent selections.
Zoey Ariel Barnes is an LMSW and practicing psychotherapist and writer living in Santa Fe. Prior to receiving her masters in social work at the University of Denver, Zoey was an adult and children’s bookseller for five years. Zoey also holds a masters in fine arts in creative writing, nonfiction from the University of Montana. She loves snuggling up with her daughter and a good book.
