When a child faces sadness, it can manifest in different ways: some may quietly cry in a corner, others may become irritable, and some may shut themselves off from others. Sadness, being one of the deepest emotions, is often difficult for children to understand. They can’t always figure out what is happening to them, and even more so, they struggle to find the words to express their feelings. But what if there’s a book nearby where the hero experiences similar emotions? This magical "mirror" gives the child the opportunity to see that their feelings are normal and that there are ways to cope with them.

Why Are Children's Books Important for Emotional Intelligence?

Children's emotions, despite their age, can be as intense as those of adults. However, unlike adults, children are still learning how to express their feelings with words. This is where books come to the rescue, acting as a translator for emotions, turning them into understandable and accessible images. Stories with characters experiencing sadness become a real revelation for the child: "They are sad too, just like me." This identification with the hero lowers the child’s anxiety and helps them understand that they are not alone in their feelings. Furthermore, books show them that sadness is a natural part of life, something that can be acknowledged and lived through.

The child begins to understand that sadness doesn’t need to be suppressed or feared. It’s a feeling that can be accepted, and it will pass. The characters in books demonstrate that they can seek support, share their emotions, and find ways to heal. This forms a crucial skill in the child — recognizing and accepting their emotions.

How to Support a Child Through Books

Parents play a key role in making reading not just an entertainment activity but a deep emotional practice. A book about sadness is not the end of a conversation, but the beginning. Once the story is read, it’s important to focus on the child's feelings, help them recognize and express them. Simple yet important questions can form the basis of dialogue:

"When do you think you last felt the way this character does?"

"Is your sadness like what the character felt?"

"Have you ever been sad like the character? What was it like?"

"What would you do if you felt as sad as the character?"

Such questions encourage the child to reflect on their own experiences, teach them to analyze their emotions, and, just as importantly, to trust their parents with their feelings. Reading books together with parents becomes a way not only to strengthen emotional bonds but also to develop emotional intelligence skills.

How Children's Books Foster Empathy

Empathy is not just the ability to put oneself in another person’s shoes; it’s the key to deep understanding of others and building emotional connections. In early childhood, this quality is just beginning to form, and children’s books help facilitate this development. They act as a bridge to the world of others' emotions. Through stories where the heroes face sadness, fear, or loneliness, the child learns to recognize these emotions in others around them.

Every page read helps the child realize that behind others' behavior and words are complex and important feelings. When the child watches how the hero deals with sadness or seeks support, they begin to understand that their friends, parents, and those around them have the same emotions. This opens the door to empathy — the ability to feel for others and respond to their emotional states.

It’s not only important to recognize emotions but also to learn the proper response to them. Books often show models of support: heroes help each other cope with difficulties, offer a friendly shoulder, or words of comfort. This subtly teaches children how to support others, whether through words, actions, or just their presence. By internalizing these models, the child begins to show care for loved ones and build deeper, more trusting relationships.

Reading such books is like a workout for the heart and soul. It’s an incredibly important stage in personality development, for through empathy, the child will build their relationships with others.

Simple questions after reading the book can enhance this process:

"Why do you think the hero was sad?"

"What helped them feel better?"

"What would you do if you saw your friend feeling sad like the hero in the book?"

"Do you think the hero would be happy if you were there to help them?"

"Why is it important to support friends when they’re sad?"

These questions help the child understand the reading on a deeper level and realize that it’s not just their own emotions that matter, but also the feelings of others. And this is the first step toward real empathy.

Conclusion: Books as Emotional Support

Children’s books about sadness are much more than just entertaining reads. They are a powerful tool for emotional development. They teach the child to understand and accept their feelings, develop self-regulation skills, and process emotions more consciously. Books show the child that sadness is a normal part of life, one that can be dealt with through understanding, empathy, and support.

Parents who choose books about complex emotions for their children not only give them the opportunity to enjoy interesting stories but also teach them to be emotionally literate and resilient individuals. This is the first step toward a harmonious life, where the child understands their feelings, knows how to express them, and finds support in their loved ones. Reading becomes not only a way to understand the world but also a crucial step in forming an emotionally healthy personality.