Our Favourite Homeschool Reads for Exploring Feelings and Emotions.

One of the things I love most about homeschooling is that learning extends far beyond maths worksheets and spelling lessons, as I have mentioned time and time again. 

Some of the most valuable learning happens during everyday conversations, family experiences, and the books we share together. As parents, we spend so much time helping our children learn about the world around them, but it’s equally important that they learn about the world inside them too.

Understanding emotions, recognising feelings, managing worries, and developing empathy are life skills that will support our children well into adulthood. Over the years, we’ve discovered a handful of beautiful books that have helped us explore these topics naturally within our homeschool. These books have sparked meaningful conversations, helped put big feelings into words, and provided opportunities for us to connect as a family.

I’ve listed some of our favourite reads about feelings and emotions below for you to check out too:

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek

This book has become a favourite in our home because it introduces emotions in such a gentle and relatable way.

Rather than simply naming feelings, In My Heart explores what emotions can feel like inside us. Children learn that their hearts can feel full of joy, heavy with sadness, brave, angry, calm, excited, or nervous—and that every feeling is normal.

The beautiful illustrations and layered heart cut-outs make this book especially engaging for younger children. After reading, we often talk about which emotions we’ve experienced during the day and what situations might have caused those feelings. It’s a simple but powerful way to help children build emotional vocabulary and understand that all emotions have a place.

The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas

If you’ve ever had a child who couldn’t quite explain how they were feeling, this book is a wonderful place to start.

The Colour Monster wakes up feeling confused because all of his emotions are mixed together. With the help of a friend, he begins sorting each feeling into a colour, helping him better understand what’s happening inside.

What I love most about this book is how visual it is. Associating colours with emotions gives children a concrete way to identify and communicate their feelings.

We’ve used this book as inspiration for emotion charts, artwork, and discussions about how feelings can change throughout the day. It reminds children that emotions aren’t “good” or “bad”—they’re simply information about what we’re experiencing.

Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival

This book holds such an important message for children.

Ruby discovers a worry that follows her everywhere she goes. At first it’s small and manageable, but because she keeps it to herself, the worry grows larger and larger until it begins affecting her everyday life.

Many children experience worries but don’t always know how to express them. Ruby’s Worry gently teaches that sharing our concerns with someone we trust can make a huge difference.

This story has provided wonderful opportunities for us to discuss worries, fears, and the importance of communication. It reminds children that they are never alone in their feelings and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia

This book takes emotional learning one step further by helping children understand the connection between their emotions and physical sensations.

Children learn that feelings don’t just happen in their minds—they can also show up in their bodies. Butterflies in the tummy, tight shoulders, a racing heart, or a calm feeling throughout the body all become clues that help children understand what they’re experiencing.

I particularly love how this book encourages mindfulness and self-awareness. It teaches children to slow down, listen to their bodies, and recognise their needs.

These are skills that benefit children not only during childhood but throughout their entire lives.

Why We Include Emotional Learning in Our Homeschool

For us, homeschooling has always been about educating the whole child. Academic learning is important, but so is emotional wellbeing.

When children understand their feelings, they’re often better equipped to navigate friendships, solve problems, communicate their needs, and develop resilience when challenges arise. The beauty of homeschooling is that emotional learning doesn’t need to be scheduled as a separate subject. It can happen naturally through stories, conversations, play, family discussions, and shared experiences.

Books provide the perfect starting point. A story can open conversations that might otherwise feel difficult. It allows children to see themselves in characters, understand that others experience similar emotions, and learn healthy ways to express and manage those feelings.

Final Thoughts

These four books have become treasured resources in our homeschool and are ones we return to time and time again, in relation to emotions and feelings. Granted, we have come across many more beautiful books in regards to this specific subject of emotions and feelings. These four just stuck with us and made a impact for us all.

Whether your child is learning to identify emotions, navigate worries, understand their body’s signals, or simply develop empathy for others, these stories provide gentle guidance and meaningful opportunities for connection.

Sometimes the most important lessons we teach our children aren’t found in workbooks or lesson plans. Sometimes they’re found snuggled up on the couch, sharing a story, talking about feelings, and reminding our children that every emotion is welcome.

And I think that’s a lesson worth learning.

Happy reading,

Wandering Wilds Homeschool