As a school counselor, you know that books can open the door to important conversations about feelings, friendships, family changes, and managing tough emotions. Whether you’re helping a child through a loss, teaching self-regulation, or introducing the concept of empathy, the right picture book can make all the difference.
Here are 15 thoughtful, counselor-approved picture books that deserve a spot on your shelf:
1. Breathing Makes It Better by Christopher Willard & Wendy O’Leary
This gentle, beautifully illustrated book teaches young readers how mindful breathing can help them handle sadness, anger, and worry. A great resource for calming strategies.
2. Was It the Chocolate Pudding? by Sandra Levins
A compassionate story that helps children understand that they are not to blame for their parents’ divorce. Told from a child’s perspective, it’s both honest and reassuring.
3. Roaring Mad Riley by Allison Szczecinski
Follow Riley the dinosaur as he learns to handle big anger in healthy ways. With playful illustrations and practical tips, it’s perfect for teaching emotional regulation.
4. The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
This heartwarming story helps validate sensitive kids who feel emotions deeply, showing them that having “big feelings” is not only okay — it’s something to be proud of.
5. What Should Darla Do? by Ganit & Adir Levy
A choose-your-own-adventure style book that empowers kids to make positive choices and understand how their actions impact others. A fun way to build social-emotional learning.
6. The Invisible String Backpack by Patrice Karst
Another in this bestselling series, this story gently explores the back to school worries.
7. The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
Simple, colorful, and deeply heartfelt, this book explores the emotions around saying goodbye, making it a go-to resource for talking about grief or transitions.
8. It’s Tough to Lose Your Balloon by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
This book helps reframe small but real childhood disappointments — like losing a balloon — into teachable moments about resilience, optimism, and perspective.
9. Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig
Perfect for classroom read-alouds on friendship and gossip, this book teaches kids about the power of words and how to handle toxic social situations with kindness and strength.
10. What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter
Pig’s anxiety spirals into endless “what ifs,” but his friends help him see he’s not alone. A sweet and relatable book for children with worries or anxious thoughts.
11. A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret Holmes
A gentle and non-specific way to talk about trauma with young children. It follows Sherman, a raccoon who feels upset after witnessing something scary and eventually gets help.
12. The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz
This twist on a classic fairy tale teaches perseverance, problem-solving, and standing up for yourself — all with a good dose of humor and martial arts!
13. Worry Says What? by Allison Edwards
Worry becomes a character in this clever book that teaches kids how to recognize and talk back to their anxious thoughts. A counselor favorite for anxiety support.
14. Marcy’s Having All the Feels by Allison Edwards
Marcy feels a LOT — from joy to anger to worry — and this story helps kids understand and manage emotional overload in a light, engaging way.
15. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
A powerful book about inclusion and kindness. Brian feels invisible until a classmate notices him — a great story to open up discussions about empathy and belonging.
Final Thoughts 💬
Whether you’re creating a calming corner, preparing for individual sessions, or reading aloud in classrooms, these picture books are valuable tools for nurturing emotional intelligence, resilience, and kindness in kids.
Looking for more great titles? Check out my book list here.
Don’t forget to pick up your book partner activities here!
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