Inside Out Inspired Reading: Book Recommendations for Emotional Well-Being at All Ages

Emotions play a crucial role in our daily lives, shaping our experiences and interactions. The films “Inside Out” 1 and 2 illustrate this beautifully by bringing to life emotions like joy, sadness, fear, anger and disgust. Inspired by these films, Penguin India shares a list of book recommendations that appeal to both children and adults, with the aim of improving their emotional health and well-being. These books look at various emotions, offering ideas and coping strategies for different age groups. Whether you’re a parent looking to help your child manage their feelings or an adult seeking deeper emotional understanding, these books can provide valuable tools and comforting stories. So, check out this list of book recommendations for children and adults, based on the emotions explored in “Inside Out” 1 and 2.

1. Joy

‘Guess how much I love you’


Sam McBratney’s timeless story, beautifully illustrated in Anita Jeram’s gentle watercolors, has captured the hearts of children and adults alike. How much does the little brown hare love his daddy? “Guess How Much I Love You,” by Sam McBratney, is a story about the loving bonds between parent and child. It is a beautiful exposition of how we perceive love and its greatness. This love seems limitless to us and we can hardly express it. An enlarged hardback edition of this much-loved classic that kids will simply treasure.


2. Fear
“The Prisoner of Bhopal”: Ages 9 and up


Amil has always dreamed of working in the modern, space-age pesticide factory in Bhopal, India, where he lives. Instead, on his tenth birthday, he is taken from his family and taken to work for Mr. Kumar and his cruel son, Jalesh, in their dilapidated printing press. There, hidden in a trunk, he finds a secret diary from World War I. As its pages come to life, they reveal not only why Amil is there, but also that he and the diary’s author—his great-grandfather, Sanjiv—share a magical gift: they can read the wind. Its purpose remains a mystery until, one terrible night, the pesticide factory releases toxic gas into the air above Bhopal…

3. Sadness
“Count by 7” – Ages 10 and up


In the vein of “Out of My Mind,” “Wonder,” and “Mockingbird,” this is a deeply moving young adult novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius obsessed with nature and diagnosing illnesses who finds comfort in counting by sevens. It’s never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t stopped her from living a quietly happy life… until now. Suddenly, Willow’s world changes tragically when both her parents die in a car accident, leaving her alone in a bewildering world. The triumph of this book is that it’s not a tragedy. This extraordinarily strange, yet extraordinarily endearing girl manages to overcome her grief. Her journey to find a fascinating and utterly believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

4. Anger
“Grumpy Monkey”


Meet Jim Panzee. He’s in a bad mood. Nothing seems right! Nothing will help, and Jim just doesn’t know why… His friends can’t figure it out – HOW can he be in a good mood when it’s such a beautiful day!? They have plenty of suggestions to make him feel better. But Jim can’t take all the advice… and has a bit of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? This modern classic is a great reminder that “grumpy monkey” days never last long.

5. Desire
“The Wonderful Things You Will Be”


In this timeless poem about growing up, Emily Windfield Martin explores everything we can choose to be, from the brave and daring to the creative and wise. Filled with beautiful, original illustrations and clever read-aloud rhymes, adults will love reading this book to their children at any age as they lovingly consider all the possibilities that lie ahead. Its enduring message of love and acceptance as children grow and change is both universal and poignant and is one to share again and again.

6. Embarrassment
“The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks”



Not only is she about to start high school with no friends and no glamorous hair, but she’s just discovered she’s too flat-chested to wear a bra! Might as well give up now and go into hibernation with her hamsters Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third. Lottie faces the perils of growing up in this incredibly funny new illustrated series for tweens, filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and, of course, KitKat Chunkys.
The first book in the hilarious new children’s series from the bestselling creator of Hurrah For Gin. Perfect for fans of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Dork Diaries.

7. Boredom
“The most brazen murder”


When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong start their own secret detective agency at Deepdean Girls’ School, they struggle to find truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which it doesn’t.) Then Hazel discovers the science teacher, Miss Bell, lying dead in the gymnasium.

8. Anxiety
“Lightning Girl’s Miscalculations” for ages 10 and up



Lightning gave him a super power… but even a super genius can’t solve the middle school problem. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens. Lucy Callahan’s life changed forever when she was struck by lightning. She doesn’t remember it, but love at first sight gave her genius-level math skills, and she’s been homeschooled ever since. Now, at 12, she’s technically ready for college. All he has to do now is take one more test: college! Lucy’s grandmother insists: go to college for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Participate in 1 activity. And read 1 book (which is not a math textbook!). Lucy doesn’t know what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can learn in 5th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where no one can make fun of her rigid routines or her super-powered brain. Lucy’s life equation has already been solved. Unless there was a calculation error? A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty’s intelligent and thoughtful debut novel for young readers reminds us all to step outside of our comfort zone and embrace what makes us different.