Check out our books, resources, and other products designed to support babies and toddlers and their families.
Books to Help Little Children Handle Big Emotions
One of the most crucial skills we human beings learn is how to manage our emotions.
But it’s a hard skill to learn, and sometimes adults need help guiding the emotional development of the children in their lives.
As part of our mission to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, ZERO TO THREE has built a collection of research-backed books designed to help parents and caregivers as they guide young children through challenging times. These stories provide the vocabulary little ones need to share their feelings, and help families focus on belonging, and the connectedness we all cherish.
Holdin Pott
This story helps children and grown-ups start difficult conversations about emotions and snuggle in closer together.
Home Again
This book helps families with young children readjust to life together after a long separation due to military deployment.
Over There (Mommy’s Version)
This board book helps provide reassurance and comfort to a young child who is separated from a military parent because of deployment. Through this book, parents and caregivers can assist in keeping hearts and minds open for a successful reunion. Each book has an insert in the back for a photo of the deployed parent so that the child can see Mommy while thinking about her.
Over There (Daddy’s Version)
This board book helps provide reassurance and comfort to a young child who is separated from a military parent because of deployment. Through this book, parents and caregivers can assist in keeping hearts and minds open for a successful reunion. Each book has an insert in the back for a photo of the deployed parent so that the child can see Daddy while thinking about him.
I’m Here for You
This board book includes eight photo inserts for caregivers to add pictures that chronicle a child’s daily interactions with the loving adults in his life. The soothing refrain, “I’m here for you now” serves as a calming reminder to children that they will be loved, nurtured, and protected, no matter what the circumstances.
Daddy’s Waves (Mama’s Version Also Available)
Millions of young children live in families with an adult struggling due to trauma (including adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs), mental illness, substance abuse, or other addiction. Daddy’s Waves was written for any child with a family member riding emotional waves, whether they live together or not.
You Weren’t With Me
Little Rabbit and Big Rabbit are together after a difficult separation, but even though they missed each other, Little Rabbit is not ready to cuddle up and receive Big Rabbit’s love. Little Rabbit needs Big Rabbit to understand what it felt like when they were apart. “I don’t understand why you weren’t with me,” says Little Rabbit, “I worry you will go away again.” Big Rabbit listens carefully and helps Little Rabbit to feel understood and loved.
This story was designed to help parents and children talk about difficult separations to help them reconnect and find their way back to each other.
Once I was Very Very Scared
A little squirrel announces that he was once very, very scared and finds out that he is not alone. Many little animals went through scary experiences, but they reacted in different ways.
This story helps grown-ups understand the impact of stress and trauma on children and supports families in beginning a conversation that leads to healing.
