Big Emotions for Little People - Board Book

By Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips

Big feelings can feel overwhelming for little bodies. Big Emotions for Little People is a gentle, toddler-friendly introduction to emotions, using real-life illustrations of other children so tamariki can easily recognise themselves in the story.

Based on the much-loved How Do I Feel? resource, this sturdy board book focuses on a small selection of emotions that toddlers commonly experience — from excitement and silliness to frustration, fear, and feeling loved. By naming emotions early, we help children make sense of what’s happening inside them, laying the foundations for emotional literacy and self-regulation as they grow.

At the back of the book is a simple belly-breathing activity, designed to support little ones when emotions feel big. Used regularly with a trusted adult, this calming tool helps tamariki practise slowing their bodies and finding their way back to calm.

How this product supports tamariki:

• Builds early emotional literacy through clear, relatable language
• Helps toddlers recognise and name common feelings
• Normalises a wide range of emotions
• Introduces a simple, practical calming strategy
• Supports co-regulation and parent-child connection