The Embracing Emotions Pack helps children understand, name, and navigate the many feelings that come with growing up. From grumpy mornings to happy afternoons, from moments of fear to the comfort of friendship, these heartfelt stories show that every emotion has its place and purpose. Through gentle storytelling and relatable experiences, children learn that it’s okay to feel sad, scared, or angry — and that each feeling can guide them toward understanding themselves and others more deeply.
Perfect for Early Learning Centres, the Embracing Emotions Pack supports emotional literacy and wellbeing by helping children recognise, express, and regulate their emotions. It’s a beautiful tool for teachers and caregivers to start conversations about empathy, resilience, and connection — reminding young readers that embracing every feeling, both big and small, is part of what makes us human.
The Embracing Emotions Pack includes:
1. Grumpy Days - Sue deGennaro
Today is a Grumpy Day. Some days start out badly, and only seem to get worse. You might spill your cereal, take a tumble on the playground or lose your hat in the wind. You might feel like stomping and sulking, kicking and crying. But even on a grumpy day, it’s always possible to turn things around.
2. The Little Fear - Luke Scriven
When Sam lets in a little fear one night, he’s sure it won’t be any bother. But before he knows it, the fear has grown and grown and grown. Until even the sunniest of sunny days doesn’t feel very sunny any more. There’s only one thing for it. Sam must try and be a little bit brave …. A brilliant picture book debut on facing your fears, overcoming anxiety and being just a little bit brave – perfect for little worriers.
3. Looking for Smile - Ellen Tarlow & Lauren Stringer
Bear and Smile are always together. They wake up together, swim by the waterfall together, and eat honey together. But one day, Bear wakes up and Smile is nowhere to be found. With the help of his woodland friends, will Bear be able to find his Smile again?
4. Happy Days - Sue deGennaro
Hooray! Today is a Happy Day. Some days are for ice-cream in the park, bubbles in the bath and big, bright bunches of balloons. Other days are for camping in the yard, splashing in the pond or skating down the path. But no matter what kind of day it is, there are always moments of happiness to be enjoyed.
5. Grandpa's Stopwatch - Loretta Garbutt & Carmen Mok
When Grandpa dies, his grandchild inherits the beloved stopwatch. But the child doesn't want the stopwatch ... 'I want him.' The child throws the stopwatch into the back of a drawer, sadness overwhelms, and everything feels different. Nothing seems right, now that Grandpa is gone. But with the passage of time, the comforting tick, tick, tick of the stopwatch, and happy memories, life does move forward...
