Sitting down and having a conversation with a child about jealousy is not always effective. Little ones may not have the vocabulary or maturity to talk about feelings. They may not be willing to open up about ugly thoughts that cross their minds during fits of envy. Reading to kids books about jealousy takes the attention off the child and places it on the characters in the stories. Children will relate to the experiences in the books and will have insightful things to say about why they feel the way they do. Eventually the conversation may even shift to their own emotional state when feelings of envy take over.
A cute book for preschoolers about how jealousy can destroy friendships. Kitty has the perfect party planned and she cannot wait to celebrate with her best friend, Unicorn. When Puppy arrives, Kitty's party plans are ruined. Unicorn gives all her attention to the newcomer, leaving Kitty feeling left out and ignored. Her jealousy almost gets the best of her until she finally learns that there is enough love and friendship to go around.
Children's Books About Feeling Envy
All kids experience feelings of envy from time to time. There are so many things that can trigger this emotion that vary depending on the child's state of mind. Sometimes kids feel jealous when a friend gets a new toy, or when a teacher pays a compliment to a classmate. Lots of uncomfortable feelings also arise when a best buddy starts hanging around a new friend, or when another kid is picked to be part of a team first. Depending on the way children perceive the world around them, there are endless opportunities when kids feel resentful of someone else's achievements, possessions, friendships, skills, or appearance. When this happens, there are several strategies to help kids deal with jealousy. Reading children's books about envy can help open a conversation about why kids feel envy and positive ways to channel these emotions when they become overwhelming.
An easy-reader book with simple sentences and guided illustrations tackles the topic of jealousy. This is the story of a little girl who enjoys her status as the best athlete in her gym class. Her world is upended when a new, highly-skilled player joins the gym class. With the advice of her teacher, the girl learns to deal with her envy and embrace the new, more athletic student.
The Berenstain Bears are always learning valuable lessons as they navigate life. In this relatable story, Sister is green with envy over the brand new bike Brother received for his birthday. It's a shiny ten-speed bike that is so fun to ride and draws a lot of attention. Sister has a hard time keeping her jealous feelings in check and questions whether she will ever be happy for Brother. A spot-on story for families dealing with sibling jealousy over new toys. A bonus page of stickers is included.
Jealousy rears its ugly head in this story about Yaz, a little girl who is a talented artist. She loves to draw and make beautiful pictures, and would really love for her classmates to recognize her work. Unfortunately, Debby's gets a lot more attention for her artwork. Yaz is so overcome with jealousy that it shows up in her pictures and her nasty attitude toward others. A simple and excellent story for young children who will learn some important coping skills.
Norman (a porcupine) and Mildred (at tree) are the very best of friends who spend endless hours basking in the outdoors together. Much to Norman's dismay, he spots a baby tree sprouting from the ground right next to Mildred. Jealousy takes over and Norman hastily digs up the new tree and replants it far away from Mildred. Instead of feeling relieved, Norman is worried that someone observed his actions. So he moves the baby tree back to its original place. Over time the tree grows, Norman hangs a hammock between the two, and learns a valuable lesson about jealousy.
A handy guidebook for kids who feel green with envy and are looking for a little help. This book can be read from front to back for a comprehensive look at all the tips and tricks for managing jealous feelings. Kids will also benefit by reading the pages out of order, not even all in one sitting, for helpful reminders about how to turn their envy into a positive and productive mental state.
A popular book for kids who are jealous when their best buddies make new friends. Milo and Jay have been inseparable for as long as the boys can remember, and that's the way Milo likes it. So when a new girl, Suzi, moves in and starts playing with Jay, Milo is one unhappy camper. His jealous rage is so strong that it turns into a monster and follows Milo everywhere. Ultimately, Milo learns how to sever ties with the monster and let go of his jealous feelings.
Angelina and Henry both play leading roles in an upcoming ballet performance. Angelina is accustomed to being the favorite ballerina on stage, but this time things are different. The rest of the cast seems to prefer Henry over her, and she is extremely unhappy. Readers will find out if Angelina's jealousy interferes with the performance and ruins her friendship with Henry.
A sweet chapter book for beginners, this story plays out like many birthday parties in real life. Sophie is excited to celebrate Ellie's birthday. During party, Ellie opens her presents and the best one of all is a darling mouse house with miniature figures and furniture to fill all the rooms. Sophie is at once happy for her friend and quite a bit jealous. She learns a valuable lesson about being happy with what you have and not always getting what you want.
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