Let's replace, "Big kids don't cry," with...

Picture books that teach kids *It’s Okay to Be Sad*

I’m a mama to a baby and a toddler, and between the two of them, crying occurs on a daily basis ~ as is totally typical (and expected) for babies and toddlers. And for the most part, people are quick to validate their feelings, scoop them up, offer hugs, and help them feel safe in their sadness. But at what age do kids suddenly become “big kids”, i.e. the kind of kids who are “too big” to cry?

At some indiscernible point, society begins to send the message to children: *Stop crying. Don’t be sad. Toughen up*. And not only is there this quiet crusade against crying, there’s also an intense, unrealistic pressure to be happy all the time. If a child isn’t smiling, cheerful, or “okay,” it’s often seen as a problem that needs to be fixed immediately.

But *sadness* is normal and healthy. Our children deserve to learn that it’s okay to feel sad, and that those big feelings don’t need to be hidden or “fixed.”

Picture books can be a beautiful, gentle way to validate emotions and help children, and the adults who love them, understand that all feelings are welcome. Below, you’ll find my list of curated picture books to help remind little readers: It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel sad. And you are never alone in those feelings.

Picture Book List to Validate Sadness

Find this full list on Amazon | Bookshop, or click on the individual titles linked below:

Pocket Full of Sads by Brad Davidson | When Bear feels low and can’t explain why, Rabbit tries everything to help ~meditation, healthy snacks, hobbies ~ but nothing works. Eventually, they both learn that while sadness can’t always be fixed, simply being there for someone can make a big difference.

Moo Hoo by Audrey Perrott |Milton cries a lot. Whether he's happy, scared, frustrated, or anything in between, his emotions come out in tears, leaving his friends puzzled. But everything changes when Milton meets Wanda, who helps him see that crying is just another way to feel deeply. This humorous story reassures readers that it’s okay to feel all the feels.

The Happiest Kid by Sarah Bagley Steele | Sally is known for her cheerful spirit, until one day, she wakes up with a gloomy cloud of sadness she doesn’t understand. Afraid to show it, she hides her feelings from everyone. But as the day goes on, the cloud grows heavier, and Sally realizes she needs to share how she feels. This book gently reminds readers that it’s okay not to feel happy all the time.

When Sadness is At Your Door by Eva Eland | Treating sadness as a visitor, this book gives it a face and form, helping kids see it as separate from themselves. Through simple activities like drawing or walking, the story encourages accepting and spending time with sadness rather than fearing or avoiding it.

A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth | A young boy creates a safe space for his sadness. In this special shelter, Sadness is free to be loud or quiet, small or large, all while the boy offers comfort through presence, conversation, or silence. The story gently emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and accepting difficult emotions, showing that grief needs care, time, and compassion.

Being Edie is Hard Today by Ben Brashares | When Edie feels misunderstood by those around her, she retreats into her imagination, wishing she could be an animal instead. But as the story unfolds, Edie learns that she can't escape her feelings of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness, and that connection, acceptance, and being true to herself are key to healing and feeling okay again.

I’m Sad by Michael Ian Black | Flamingo is feeling sad, and his friends ~ a little girl and her spud sidekick, Potato ~ do everything they can to cheer him up. But nothing works, not even Potato’s go-to trick: dirt. Eventually, they all discover an important truth: feelings don’t last forever, and real friendship isn’t about fixing sadness, but about showing up and offering support through it.

Way Past Sad by Hallee Adelman | James navigates the deep sadness of his best friend Sanj moving away. His feelings of loneliness feel overwhelming, and even comfort from his mom isn’t enough to make it all go away. But as James begins to talk about his emotions, he discovers that while he can’t change the situation, sharing his sadness helps him start to move through it.

Jenny Mei is Sad by Tracy Subisak | Though Jenny Mei seems happy on the outside ~smiling, joking, and enjoying her favorite blue Popsicles ~ her close friend knows she’s actually feeling sad. Through simple yet powerful storytelling, the book teaches children that people don’t always show their feelings, and that being a good friend means showing up with kindness, patience, and presence, even when things aren’t fun.

Little Unicorn is Sad by Aurélie Chien Chow Chine | A young unicorn's rainbow-colored mane changes to a deep blue when he feels overwhelmed with sadness. But through a simple breathing exercise, the clouds of emotion begin to clear, and his rainbow colors return. Now, the unicorn knows if he ever feels sad again, he'll know just what to do.

Crying is Like the Rain by Heather Hawk Feinberg | This book uses the weather as a gentle metaphor for emotions, especially crying. As a big sister and little brother discuss feelings like sadness, fear, and frustration, the story explores why we cry, how emotions work, and how tears can help us feel better. With a reassuring tone, the book emphasizes that emotions are natural, temporary, and safe to experience.

The Shadow Elephant by Nadine Robert | An elephant is feeling weighed down by sorrow. Despite his colorful savanna friends' efforts, nothing lifts his spirits. Illustrated with dramatic contrasts of shadow and light, the story gently explores themes of sadness and empathy. This story emphasizes that some feelings, like sorrow, don’t need fixing ~ they simply need acknowledgment.

Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls | A girl and her fox companion journey from darkness and sorrow through stormy challenges toward a brighter future. Along the way, they find friendship, support, and the courage to move forward. This lyrical story offers comfort and reassurance, showing that even after the hardest times, light and new beginnings await.

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For more books to help children embrace All Feelings, check out this post.

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Happy Reading,

Maya