Bibliotherapy- Resources for Helping Children Manage Their Emotions
Written by Kristin Tallackson, M.A., LPC
During this time little ones may be having trouble identifying and expressing feelings. You may notice an increase in tantrums, anxiety and fighting between siblings. It’s always important to remember that all behavior is communication. Often, children will act out when they are trying to communicate a need to be met. A great way to help kids (and us adults) communicate their feelings is using an “I feel ____, because _____” statement. I like to use bibliotherapy to help kids identify and express their feelings.
Bibliotherapy is a creative art therapeutic approach that uses literature to aid in the therapy process. Children’s books can be an excellent clinical tool to support children’s exploration and understanding of their world and life experiences. This is a great tool I often give to parents in order to continue the therapeutic work outside of the office. Many children identify with the characters in the book because they are overcoming the same obstacles. Over the next few weeks, I am going to provide a list of books that can help kids over come different obstacles from anger to ADHD. Today we are tackling books on feelings.
Baby Faces by Margaret Miller
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
Can You Tell How Someone Feels? by Nita Everly
Double Dip Feelings by Barbara Cain
Feelings by Aliki
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
The Feelings Book: The Care and Keeping of Your Emotions by American Girl Library
Feeling Happy by Ellen Weiss
The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
The Three Grumpies by Tamra Wight
Happy and Sad, Grouchy and Glad by Constance Allen
How Are You Peeling: Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann
How Do I Feel? by Houghton Mifflin
How I Feel Proud by Marcia Leonard
How I Feel Silly by Marcia Leonard
How Kind by Mary Murphy
I Am Happy by Steve Light
Lizzy’s Ups and Downs by Jessica Harper
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss
On Monday When It Rained by Cherryl Kachenmeister
Proud of Our Feelings by Lindsay Leghorn
See How I Feel by Julie Aigner-Clark
Sometimes I Feel Like a Storm Cloud by Lezlie Evans
Smudge’s Grumpy Day by Miriam Moss
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee
What Makes Me Happy? by Catherine & Laurence Anholt
What I Look Like When I am Confused by Joanne Randolph
When I Feel Frustrated by Marcia Leonard
When I Feel Jealous by Marcia Leonard
If your child is struggling to manage their emotions, play therapy can help. Contact us today to learn more.