From frustration to fear: 11 books to help you teach kids difficult emotions

A normally loveable toddler is having a very bad and angry day . . . see how she deals with these feelings with the help of her family. The stormy drama of Mabel's trip to the park comes alive with flaps and mechanics as well as charming illustrations. Plus on each page there are tips for parents and carers endorsed by The Good Play Guide and leading Early Years Consultant Dr Amanda Gummer. 

One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then the dangerous Get-You bird comes along, and she soon realizes that she might need some friends after all . . . The Go-Away Bird combines brilliant rhyming verse from much-loved children’s author Julia Donaldson, creator of the bestselling picture books The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard, with stunning illustrations from the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner. A charming story about the power of friendship from a thrilling creative partnership, this beautiful book is perfect for reading together.

Life as a toddler can be tricky. Sometimes you are pleased to put you coat on, you are happy to share and you jump right into your bath. But there are days when you just WON'T! With a little gentleness and encouragement though, you might be persuaded that the thing you won't do can be the thing you love. With bouncy rhyming text and vivd illustrations, this look at child autonomy is also a guide to negotiating strong emotions.

Sometimes I Am Furious is a funny and reassuring story from bestselling team Timothy Knapman and Joe Berger about how difficult it can be when you are – and have – a toddler. Life can be sweet, but then out of the blue things feel really UNFAIR. Your ice cream melts, your T-shirt is too tight, a friend won't share. It makes you FURIOUS! But, as one small girl finds out, a deep breath, cheerful song and a good cuddle can really help.

Sometimes I am Angry helps young children to start to navigate their own emotions. They can lift  flaps, slide  tabs and turn a wheel to find out what anger is, why it flares up and how they can calm it. With engaging illustrations by Marie Paruit on each page, this is an ideal book for parents and carers to share with young kids who are experiencing anger. Further notes and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose give parents additional guidance.

It is time for show and tell, and Rory is anxious because he doesn't have anything special to share with his class. But then Rory meets a worry tiger, who teaches him how to breathe deep and smell the jungle, stretch up to the monkeys high in the trees, and listen attentively to the animals around him. This engaging story turns simple mindful actions into a wonderful tale for small kids, and is perfect to share and read aloud. 

Follow ten-year-old Floella as she and her family set sail from the Caribbean to a new life in London. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbled into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England wasn't at all what Floella had expected . . . What will her new school be like? Will she meet the Queen? Filled with optimism and joy, yet deeply personal and relevant, young children will follow Floella's experiences of moving home and making friends. Alongside vibrant illustrations by Diane Ewen, this powerful story shows little people how courage and determination can always overcome adversity.

With flaps, tabs and sliders, I Can Be Patient helps young children to understand why they have to wait and how they can develop their ability to be patient. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit on every page, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who are just starting to recognize their feelings and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

With flaps, tabs and sliders, I Can Say Sorry will help young children to learn when they need to say sorry – and how to say it with meaning. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who are just starting to recognize their feelings and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

Sometimes I am Worried helps young children to start managing their emotions. They can lift the flaps, slide the tabs and turn the wheel to explore what a worry is, why they might worry and how they can stop their worries from becoming too big. With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit on every page, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children who may be anxious about something and to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.

Who will Albert be next? A fearless mountaineer, a brilliant mechanical engineer or a galactic megalord? Anything is possible with an imagination like Albert's as he powers through his day. As a boy, Albert is nervous in a swimming lesson, but as Zandrian Delaclair, Antarctic Submariner and slayer of vampire cuttlefish, he's as brave and bold as can be. Show and Tell in front of the whole class can be a bit scary, but by imagining himself to be Professor Octavius Pickleswick he's proud to show off his greatest invention yet.

Everybody knows that crocodiles love water, but this little crocodile is different. He doesn't like water at all. In fact, he prefers climbing trees! But it can be lonely when you're the odd one out, so the little crocodile tries his best to change. But being wet isn't for everyone - and a shiver soon becomes a cold and the cold becomes a sneeze, a very hot sneeze... Could it be that this little crocodile isn't a crocodile at all? 

A Marcus Rashford Book Club Choice, Silas and the Marvellous Misfits is an adventure that will show every child the joy of being themselves. 

As a secret member of the Dream Defenders, Erika helps to banish your worries while you sleep! Tonight they're on a mission to rescue Erika's best friend Silas from the clutches of the Glooms. Evil Glooms want everyone in the dream world to look and think exactly the same way, but can the Dream Defenders defeat the Glooms, save Silas, and help him see that being a misfit can be truly marvellous? 

Discover more of the Dream Defenders' adventures in Erika and the Angermare and Chanda and the Devious Doubt. 

Meet the Dream Team, turning nightmares into incredible adventures. Erika's had a bad day. But going to sleep upset means bad dreams. She finds herself stranded in the Dreamscape along with a mob of hungry Heebie Jeebies – and to make matters worse, she's being hunted by a terrifying Angermare. Enter the Dream Team! Can they help Erika overcome her worries and get home, or will she be trapped forever?