Starting a new school year can feel overwhelming for young students. Using back-to-school books about emotions is an excellent way to help children understand and express their feelings from day one. These books offer comfort and guidance while making emotional learning engaging and accessible.

1. The Color Monster: Teaching Emotions with Colours

The Color Monster is a wonderful way to introduce emotions visually. When the Color Monster wakes up with all his feelings mixed up, a little girl helps him sort and name each one. Students quickly learn how to recognise and describe different emotions.

👉 Check out my The Color Monster classroom activities to bring this book to life in your classroom.

2. In My Heart: Understanding Feelings

In My Heart explores a wide range of emotions — happiness, sadness, anger, shyness, bravery — and describes how they feel inside the body. Students can discuss, act out, and reflect on these emotions, which helps them connect with their own feelings.

👉 Find In My Heart printable activities to support your lessons with this book.

3. Ruby Finds a Worry: Managing Anxiety

Ruby Finds a Worry addresses anxiety and shows why talking about worries is important. Reading this book encourages students to share their feelings, fostering a supportive classroom environment.

4. Go Away Worry Monster: Practical Strategies for Young Learners

Go Away Worry Monster! is ideal for students starting a new school or facing changes. It teaches practical, evidence-based strategies to “send away” worries.

5. The Kissing Hand: Comforting Separation Anxiety

The Kissing Hand is a beloved first-day-of-school book about Chester Raccoon, who feels anxious leaving his mum. This story is perfect for discussing separation anxiety and helping children feel secure.

👉 Grab my Kissing Hand worksheets and activities to support your classroom discussions and help students feel comforted and confident.

💌 Sign up for my newsletter and get the Kissing Hand freebie straight to your inbox — perfect for the first week of school!

Additional Back-to-School Resources

If you loved these books, check out these additional resources to kick off your year:

• All the Ways to Be Smart Activities for Back to School — celebrate students’ unique strengths.
• First Day of School with The Kissing Hand — a comforting way to welcome students on day one.
• Bucket Filler Freebie: Creating a Classroom Filled with Kindness — encourage kindness and positive behaviour from day one.

Visit Little Learner Hub to find more great teaching resources!