Books with Big Feelings (Featuring Bunnies)

There is a bunny that often sits in our front yard, just outside the window where I keep my desk for editing and writing. I am rabbit obsessed. Perhaps it is nostalgia: Beatrix Potter’s books were childhood favorites (I called my grandmother Mopsy after the Peter Rabbit’s big sister), and later I fell in love with Watership Down. Perhaps it is their obvious cuteness: their long ears, the wiggle of their noses. Perhaps it my love for Alice in Wonderland and the temptation to travel down rabbit holes. Or maybe it is leftover from the one bunny I owned, a lop-earred fellow named Bunson who played with my dogs and could hang with just about anyone.

They exude softness and gentleness, but also playfulness and a bit of mystery.

They remind me to relax into stillness.

They remind me to be friendly and gentle. (In Mark Hawthorne’s book The Way of the Rabbit, he points out that in Chinese astrology, the character traits attributed to those born in the Year of the Rabbit are gentleness, sensitivity, and creativity.)  

And, for me, they remind me to maintain a healthy relationship with my fear (and, for that matter, all the so-called difficult emotions.)

Monty Python’s killer rabbit aside, rabbits are prey, not predator—and when they experience fear, there is no hiding it. Their body language is clear. They freeze, they flatten, they even thump their tails. And so they inspire me to embrace the hard feelings.  To allow them to be there. My little patron animal is soft and gentle and full of fear!

As a long time editor of books in the sphere of psychology, self-help, and health and wellness, I’ve been exposed to so many books for adults on emotional intelligence. As I’ve edited these books, I’ve often wished that I’d had exposure to some of these skills and ideas as a child.  So as a tribute to my love for rabbits and my hope to get more social-emotional skills to children, via the world of beautiful picture books,  I’ve put together a list that offer skills and ideas to help our little ones when emotions and feelings get extra big.

Books with Big Feelings (featuring Bunnies)

The Rabbit Listened --on sadness

Rabbit and the Motorbike —on fear

Wolfie the Bunny —on jealousy, and a little bit of fear

Deep Breaths —on many big feelings

When I’m Feeling Angry —on anger

Guess How Much I Love You —on love, because love is a big emotion, too