Bedtime Stories for
Big Feelings

🌙 Bedtime Stories for Growing Big Feelings & Big Skills

A family-friendly OT reading guide for children ages 6–10

Sometimes the easiest way to talk about feelings, friendships, worries, and problem-solving is through a story. These books give children a chance to explore social-emotional skills without feeling like they are being taught a lesson about themselves.

Try reading one book at bedtime once a week and asking just one or two questions. There are no right answers—the goal is simply to notice, wonder, and talk together.

🌱 Understanding Feelings & Body Signals

Anh’s Anger — Gail Silver
Helps children notice anger, slow down, and understand big feelings.

Zen Shorts — Jon J. Muth
Explores emotions, perspective-taking, and slowing down when life feels difficult.

Listening to My Body — Gabi Garcia
Helps children connect physical sensations with emotions and recognize what their bodies may be telling them.

The Rabbit Listened — Cori Doerrfeld
A gentle story about being upset and discovering what kind of support feels helpful.

A Little SPOT of Emotion series — Diane Alber
Simple stories about identifying emotions and learning ways to manage them.

🌊 Flexibility & Handling Unexpected Things

The Most Magnificent Thing — Ashley Spires
A wonderful story about frustration, taking a break, and trying again.

Ish — Peter H. Reynolds
Encourages children to let go of perfectionism and the idea that there is only one “right” way.

Bubble Gum Brain — Julia Cook
Explores flexible versus stuck thinking.

Jabari Jumps — Gaia Cornwall
A great story about worry, courage, and trying something new.

The Magical Yet — Angela DiTerlizzi
Encourages persistence when something doesn't come easily.

🤝 Friendship & Joining Play

The Invisible Boy — Trudy Ludwig
Explores feeling left out and the small ways we can help others feel included.

A Friend for Henry — Jenn Bailey
Explores friendship, connection, and differences in how children interact.

Can I Play Too? — Mo Willems
A fun introduction to joining play, taking turns, and figuring out how everyone can participate.

Frog and Toad Are Friends — Arnold Lobel
Short, funny stories about friendship, differences, and caring for one another.

🗣️ Communication, Boundaries & Asking for Help

Personal Space Camp — Julia Cook
Helps children understand personal space and how to communicate physical boundaries.

Louder, Lili — Jennifer Choldenko
Explores finding your voice and speaking up.

King of the Playground — Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
A story about navigating difficult peer interactions and standing up for yourself.

Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts
Explores wants, needs, empathy, and social pressure.

🧩 Conflict & Making Things Right

Enemy Pie — Derek Munson
A funny story about assumptions, conflict, and developing an unexpected friendship.

Each Kindness — Jacqueline Woodson
Explores kindness, missed opportunities, and the importance of how we treat others.

The Recess Queen — Alexis O'Neill
Explores peer conflict, friendship, and changing social dynamics.

I’m Sorry — Sam McBratney
A simple story about conflict, apologies, and reconnecting.

💛 Empathy & Understanding Other People

Milo Imagines the World — Matt de la Peña
Encourages children to consider that everyone has a story we may not know.

Last Stop on Market Street — Matt de la Peña
Explores gratitude, perspective, and noticing the experiences of others.

The Hundred Dresses — Eleanor Estes
A more advanced chapter-book option for older children exploring empathy and peer behavior.

The Can Man — Laura Williams
Explores empathy, generosity, and thinking about what another person may need.

🦋 Confidence & Resilience

The Most Magnificent Thing — Ashley Spires
“I can take a break and try again.”

Jabari Jumps — Gaia Cornwall
“I can be nervous and still try.”

The Magical Yet — Angela DiTerlizzi
“I don't know how yet.”

The Year We Learned to Fly — Jacqueline Woodson
Explores imagination, resilience, and finding ways to cope with difficult moments.

🌙 Three Questions for Bedtime

You don't need to turn reading into a therapy session. Try one question after the story:

1. What happened?

“What was the tricky part for the character?”

2. What was happening inside?

“What do you think their body or feelings were telling them?”

3. What could they try?

“What could they do next?”

And sometimes the best question is simply:

“Have you ever felt like that?”

You can also ask:

“What would help you if that happened to you?”

💚 A Note for Parents

Children don't need to have the “right” answer. These conversations are opportunities to practice emotional language, perspective-taking, problem-solving, flexibility, and communication while everyone is calm.

If your child doesn't want to talk about the story, that's okay. Keep reading. Sometimes the story does the teaching all by itself.

For additional book recommendations, your local public library and Reading Rockets' social-emotional book lists are excellent places to explore.