How to Choose Books That Help You Understand Feelings

Learn how to pick stories that help you recognize, name, and understand your big feelings and the emotions of others.

1. Look for characters who change. Pick a book where the main character starts the story with a problem or a strong feeling, like being nervous about a first day of school or feeling left out. Notice how they act at the beginning versus the end of the story.
2. Check the illustrations for clues. Even if you are a good reader, look closely at the pictures. Do the characters' faces look tight when they are mad, or do they look soft when they are happy? This helps you practice reading body language.
3. Ask yourself questions while you read. As you read, stop and ask yourself, 'Why did the character do that?' or 'How would I feel if that happened to me?' Write down these thoughts in your notebook to keep track of what you learn.