Books to Support Emotional Literacy

Key Stage 1

                                  Too Many Pants by Ruth Drury

Meet Lilidee!! Lilidee is a little girl who struggles with controlling the BIG emotions that get muddled inside her tummy. Luckily her mum comes to the rescue and gives her some great tips to help make sense of them. Using pants to help explain the control of emotions, this. fun loving, beautifully illustrated book shows the daily struggles that many children have and gives a fun method on how to solve them.

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt

The first book in the Scaredy Squirrel series is a comical story of an endearing squirrel who learns what can happen when he's brave enough to take a risk. Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. Scaredy Squirrel remains prepared with an emergency kit which includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. But day, his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree! 

A Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside

Wherever Jenny goes, her worries follow her - in a big blue bag. They are with her all the time - at school, at home, when she is watching TV and even in the bathroom! Jenny decides they have to go, but who will help her get rid of them? A funny and reassuring look at dealing with worries and anxiety, to be used as a spring board into important conversations about how to manage anxiety with children.

Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein

Visiting Feelings encourages children to treat their feelings like guests — welcome them in, get to know them, and perhaps learn why they are visiting. Through this purposeful and mindful exploration, Visiting Feelings harnesses a young child's innate capacity to fully experience the present moment and invites children to sense, explore, and befriend all of their feelings with acceptance and equanimity. 

Key Stage 2

 It’s All About Bodd by Lindy Wheeler

Bodd is a little character who struggles to make sense of his life and his big big feelings. In beautiful verse, this unique children’s story explores Bodd’s feelings and the vital role they play in his survival. It’s All About Bodd opens up conversations about how to deal with anxiety, the effects that worry can have on our health, and its impact on those around us. 

Badger’s Bad Mood by Hiawyn Oram  

Badger is in a bad mood. He won’t see or talk to anyone. The animals are at a loss without him – who will help with holiday arrangements, give advice and support, take them fishing? Only Mole has the sensitivity to see what is wrong. He secretly organises an award ceremony at which all the animals receive a certificate of achievement. But the real climax of the celebrations is when Badger receives the best award of all. 

 When We Were Warriors by Emma Carroll

 A body washed up on the beach . . . Evacuation to an old house with forbidden rooms and dark   secrets.  Set in World War Two, Emma Carroll explores the resilience, resourcefulness and   inventiveness of children when their lives fall to pieces.

  Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson  

  Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she'd shown a little kindness toward Maya.

Article contributed by Alison Waterhouse from Circles for Learning. Circles for Learning is a research led project for schools that builds positive foundations for mental health and wellbeing and gives children the skills to thrive both now and in the future.