Parents can joyfully engage with children in a lighthearted discussion about emotions and how they affect us all!

A little bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way. So, to celebrate Empathy Day on 8 June, we’ve gathered together the best books that explore what it means to be compassionate towards others. Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he’s well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel’s emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.Emotions can be overwhelming, especially for little people. So much anger, huge tantrums, confusing sadness, and even anxiety all affect kids as much as they do adults. If your kids struggle with big emotions, these picture books about feelings might be comforting and equip them with coping skills. With its spare, poignant text and irresistibly sweet illustration, The Rabbit Listenedis about how to comfort and heal the people in your life, by taking the time to carefully, lovingly, gently listen. Try to walk in someone's shoes to see how they might feel. For though you cannot see them, feelings are still strong and real”. Learning to understand and care about the feelings of others is one of the most important steps in a child’s development―and it’s never too early to help little ones build those skills. This beautifully illustrated storybook teaches young kids how to recognize and practice empathy through simple real-life scenarios that are easy for them to understand. It’s written with clear language for adults to read aloud and features discussion questions and activities that encourage kids to talk about what they learned and use it in their lives.

It’s essential that we teach our kids to identify the emotions they are feeling beyond happy, sad, and mad( emotional granularity) so they can then improve emotional regulation as well as general well-beingand mental health now and in the future. (It’s a journey not a destination.) This perceptive and poignant story is the perfect springboard for talking to children about emotions and anxieties.When children are angry, they can manifest their anger through bad behavior. They might shout, cry, throw things and roll on the floor or all of these things combined. That’s why most parents need help managing their kids emotions and feelings. Ways to set a good example―Kids will learn to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, lend a helping hand, and inspire others to do the same. Marcy wanted to be happy. Happy is all she wanted to be. But all her other feelings kept showing up and at the worst times! There was Frustrated and Angry, Sad and Embarrassed, and even Worried and Jealous. Her feelings were there as soon as she opened her eyes each morning, and they followed her around throughout the day. Some days all these feelings just felt like a little too much and she wanted to hide! I knew I’d like this and I certainly did!! It was really cute and so disgustingly heartwarming. It honestly had me all misty eyed at the end of the book because Meyer and Farley are just so perfect.

I loved every character in this book, especially Farley. She was loud, spoke her thoughts and always managed to make me laugh so hard. I also loved Hazel, Meyer’s daughter too. Her relationship with Farley was amazingly cute and I loved her interactions with her dad. Meet Ruby — a happy, curious, imaginative young girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It’s not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . and a little bigger . . . . Until eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about. One study I read also gave the example of an award-winning actor. They would never show emotions like an emoji face. And we often don’t either. Again, be careful with broad generalizations. This book is dedicated to all the women who’ve ever been told that they’re Too Much. Maybe you’re too loud, too crass, too open, too bawdy. You overshare too often, say too many bad words, you're too weird, or too emotional.

Seriously tho how that meet cute comes full circle and the way TD brings it all together under the same ☂️ (ella ella – sorry my brain…I just 🙈 sometimes) is such lovely storytelling. Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day … his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. I'm super critical of contemporary romances, so when I say I LOVE this book, you better believe I mean it! I started reading at 7 pm on a Saturday night and finished at midnight. But instead of going to bed like a normal person, my brain was so full of serotonin that I couldn't help but stayed awake and replay the story in my head for hours! A former stand-up star himself, Meyer has helped the trajectory of her career take off since he began managing her… Since he became her closest and most treasured friend, in the process.