Choose one feeling and read a tiny story together. Your child can listen, point, talk or stop. The characters do not have to become happy by the final line; they have someone nearby while they work out what to do.
Worried: The New Door
Nell stopped outside the playroom. She could hear voices behind the new blue door.
“I don’t know this room,” she said, holding Dad’s hand.
“We can look from here,” Dad said. He stayed beside her.
Nell peeped inside. A grown-up was putting crayons on a table. Nell liked the yellow one.
“Will you come with me?” she asked. Dad nodded. Nell took his hand and one step through the door. She still felt a little worried, and Dad was still beside her.
Words to borrow: “Something feels new. Would you like me beside you?” For night-time worries, see stories for worried toddlers at bedtime.
Sad: The Bent Flower
Ada’s paper flower had a bent petal. She tried to smooth it, but the crease stayed.
“I wanted it straight,” Ada said. A tear fell on her hand.
Grandad sat beside her. “You worked hard on your flower.”
“Can you hold it?” she asked.
He held the flower while Ada leaned against him. Later, they stood it in a cup. The petal was still bent. Ada was still a little sad. Grandad stayed for a cuddle.
Words to borrow: “You wanted it to be different. I’m here.”
Angry: The Fallen Tower
Bo’s block tower fell. Clatter! His hands squeezed into fists.
“I wanted it tall!” he shouted, lifting a block.
Mum moved close and gently stopped his hand. “I won’t let you throw a block. I can help you put it down.”
Bo put it on the rug. Mum sat beside him while he pressed his hands together, hard, then soft.
“Still cross,” Bo said.
“I hear you,” Mum replied.
After a while, Bo slid one block towards her. “A small tower this time.” They began with two.
Words to borrow: “You can feel angry. I will help keep everyone safe.”
Shy: A Wave for Jo
Jo came to play. Remy stood close to Gran’s chair.
“Hello, Remy,” Jo said.
Remy did not feel like talking. Gran made room beside her. “You can watch with me.”
Jo rolled a toy bus across the rug. Remy watched it stop by the chair.
He lifted one hand in a small wave. Jo waved back and parked the bus nearby.
Remy sat beside Gran a little longer. There was room for him to join when he wanted.
Words to borrow: “You can watch first.” For another unfamiliar moment, read the first day of preschool story.
Excited: The Too-Loud Drum
Omi loved the red drum. Boom, boom, boom. The sound filled the room, and Omi’s whole body filled with it too.
Baby Tara covered her ears. Omi stopped. “My happy got too loud,” he said.
Mum nodded. “You feel excited. Tara needs a softer sound. Shall we try tapping with our fingers?”
Omi tapped the drum with two soft fingers. Tum, tum. Tara smiled. Omi smiled back. His happy was still there. Now it had a quieter voice.
How to read a feeling story together
Try a story in a quiet moment when your child is ready to listen. During a big upset, set the story aside and focus on staying close and keeping everyone safe. Later, you can return to one familiar line.
Offer a feeling word without insisting you have guessed correctly: “Was Bo angry, or was he sad?” A point or a shrug is an answer too. Keep any conversation optional.
Feeling-by-feeling story check
- Does the story name one feeling clearly?
- Does a caring person stay connected?
- Does the character get one small next step?
- Does the ending leave room for the feeling, with support rather than a demand to cheer up?
Read gentle stories in your own voice
Baboo Stories helps parents turn story time into a quiet, connected moment for toddlers and preschoolers.
Baboo Stories is free to download. Some stories are locked, and an optional monthly subscription unlocks all stories.
Related reading
- Calming bedtime prompts
- A story about trying new things
- Bedtime stories with gentle morals for toddlers
Sources and further reading
ZERO TO THREE’s guide to social-emotional development at 24–36 months discusses naming feelings and using pretend stories to explore everyday frustrations. These original stories offer words to share; they do not promise a particular response from your child.
Questions parents often ask
What kinds of feeling stories help toddlers?
Helpful feeling stories are short, concrete and calm. They name one feeling, show one small response and end with connection.
Can stories fix toddler big feelings?
Stories do not fix every feeling or replace support. They can give parents simple words to use before or after a hard moment.