Best Books for Toddlers about Emotions (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Toddlers feel big feelings, and the best books for toddlers about emotions name them in simple words. We compared five listings by age fit, format, pages and value, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Hands Are Not for Hitting	9.8/10	Buy
2	A Little SPOT of Emotion Set	9.8/10	Buy
3	Making Faces: Emotions Book	9.7/10	Buy
4	The Crayons' Book of Feelings	9.7/10	Buy
5	SPOT Emotional Regulation Set	9.6/10	Buy

1

Hands Are Not for Hitting

Martine Agassi·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A board book teaching safe alternatives to hitting, for ages 1-3.

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Pros

• Ages 1-3, board book
• Best Behavior series
• Parent tips included

Cons

• 24 pages only
• 2002 publication
• Hitting focus

2

A Little SPOT of Emotion Set

Diane Alber·9.8/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 8-plush box set with feelings book and poster, for ages 3+.

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Pros

• 8 emotion plush
• Feelings book, 32 pages
• Mirror and poster

Cons

• Ages 3+, not 1-3
• Plush, not just book
• 2020 publication

3

Making Faces: Emotions Book

Abrams Appleseed·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An interactive board book of five emotions with mirror, for Baby-2.

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Pros

• Baby-2, board book
• High-contrast photos
• Mirror on last page

Cons

• 14 pages only
• Baby-2, narrow range
• 2017 publication

4

The Crayons' Book of Feelings

Drew Daywalt·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Crayons board book about feelings, for ages 1-5.

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Pros

• Ages 1-5, board book
• Crayons characters
• 22 pages

Cons

• 22 pages only
• Crayon theme
• 2021 publication

5

SPOT Emotional Regulation Set

Diane Alber·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 8-book emotional regulation box set, for ages 4-7.

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Pros

• 8 books, regulation
• Ages 4-7
• Growth mindset

Cons

• Ages 4-7, older
• No page count stated
• 2023 publication

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More picks to compare

• Mad, Mad, MAD Board BookAges 1-3, 26 pages, board.Check on Amazon
• Baby's Feelings Board BookBaby-1, 24 pages, padded cover.Check on Amazon
• Harper Handles Big FeelingsAges 3-5, 28 pages, tiger.Check on Amazon
• Llama Llama FeelingsAges 2-4, 16 pages, board.Check on Amazon
• Babies Love FeelingsBaby-2, 12 pages, sturdy flaps.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs reading fit, build, value, safety and warranty. Safety counts only where the listing states a reading age. All five listings here state a reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

Before you buy the best books for toddlers about emotions

Age

Reading ages here run Baby-2 to 4-7; the Hands book suits ages 1-3. For more options, see our picture books.

Format

Formats here are board books and box sets; board books suit the youngest.

Pages

Pages here run 14 to 32 where stated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is best for ages 1-3?

The Hands Are Not for Hitting, a board book.

Which book includes plush toys?

The A Little SPOT of Emotion with 8 plush.

Which book is best for babies?

The Making Faces, for Baby-2.

Still deciding? Our top pickHands Are Not for Hitting

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Related lists

See every picture book list and all kids and teens book lists.

More lists: books about moving, social emotional books.