How is this different from a big feelings book?

It works like a big feelings book or an emotions social story: one moment, one feeling, told simply. The difference is that your child is the main character, with their name and a grown-up of your choice who helps, and it comes narrated, so you can listen together.

Which feeling is the story about?

It can be anger, sadness, fear, overexcitement or a jumble. You can describe the feeling or a real moment in the optional details. Every feeling is treated as okay, and none is sorted into good or bad.

Big feelings story for toddlers, starring your child

Create a story

Your child’s name

A grown-up who helps (optional)

Any extra details to add?

Anything to avoid? (optional)

Optional — leave out monsters, getting lost, separation, loud surprises, or anything they don't want tonight.

The story is written and narrated in :

Narrator voice:

Every everyday challenge story is about 3 minutes long.

Who's listening?

The small step in this story

Your child tries one way to ask for support, such as saying “I need help” or holding out their arms for a hug. Big feelings will come again; the story shows the child doesn’t have to handle them alone.

Talk about the story together

What big feeling did the character have?
How did they ask for help?
What does a big feeling feel like in your body?

Your child can answer, point to a picture, or simply listen. There is no correct answer.

They are designed for everyday conversations and practice. They do not promise that one story will change a habit or make a worry disappear.

When your toddler has big emotions and meltdowns

Big feelings can rush in all at once, too big for a small body and too new to have names yet. Big emotions and meltdowns are not bad behavior; they are a child who doesn’t yet know what to do with what they feel. What helps is a calm grown-up and simple words for the feeling. That is why so many parents reach for a big feelings book, books about emotions for toddlers or an emotions social story to start those conversations.

Questions parents ask

How is this different from a big feelings book?: It works like a big feelings book or an emotions social story: one moment, one feeling, told simply. The difference is that your child is the main character, with their name and a grown-up of your choice who helps, and it comes narrated, so you can listen together.
Which feeling is the story about?: It can be anger, sadness, fear, overexcitement or a jumble. You can describe the feeling or a real moment in the optional details. Every feeling is treated as okay, and none is sorted into good or bad.
What does my child learn to do?: Your child tries one way to ask for support, such as saying “I need help” or holding out their arms for a hug. Big feelings will come again; the story shows your child doesn’t have to handle them alone.

A big feelings story for toddlers, starring your child

When your toddler has big emotions and meltdowns

Questions parents ask