Raising Resilient Hearts: How Books Help Kids Understand Their Feelings
How do stories help children better understand their own emotions? In this episode, we’re joined by children's author Trudy Ludwig, and Dr. Nancy Jones, lower school dean of counseling and student services and director of counseling at Wesleyan School. Trudy and Nancy help us explore the powerful role books play in building emotional insight and resilience in kids. Through shared experiences, relatable characters, and meaningful conversations, stories give children a safe way to recognize feelings, reflect on challenges, and see that they’re not alone.
Our guests discuss how reading about characters in familiar situations helps children name emotions, develop empathy, and practice problem‑solving—often before they have the words to do so on their own. Parents will walk away with practical ideas for choosing books, asking thoughtful questions, and using story time as a springboard for deeper emotional growth. Whether your child is navigating big feelings, social challenges, or everyday worries, this conversation highlights how stories can become trusted tools for emotional learning at home.
BONUS - book recommendations from Trudy and Nancy.
Trudy's Favorites:
Broken [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Broken/dp/B0FPZNJGMR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VZU7Y52C09UG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rDArwAOd8yaDjj8LJKOg7g.04rYCU0n2g5DRApBS-FVHSFoyxnCI4wKG_1uY8pdxrU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Broken+by+X.+Fang+%28Tundra+Books%2C+2025%29&qid=1775651502&sprefix=broken+by+x.+fang+tundra+books%2C+2025+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1] by X. Fang
What Do You Do With a Problem? [https://www.amazon.com/What-Do-You-Problem/dp/1943200009/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2AHQA2FDLS5HT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R1Giugf2rWJHjQQxmxwi7WIu_PobAkLcNIYCK_LYZTd4DJbuLbRWGHaYyIomotmQ_Pyd-Mkf8Ggr_R-lbmyFLSY8_RnDSlM3DKzyGJz6fSd72KzDnhtYXVvRnrYIqGo7Nh9AgSTIHMMUzQuL2KTYHkAAYhlwOHWENJqYl7315-OGtukwNqu-h_TtpblDcRqp8EVFnEqcejNlcB2ZC0WFzjSgMxXdeyHAB5bDc6IWFVw.ryNSAKroJfoCPEXgYVwrbpKYHT-FLR5xQRsHITTzl_A&dib_tag=se&keywords=what+do+you+do+with+a+problem&qid=1775651597&s=audible&sprefix=what+do+you+do+with+a+problem%2Caudible%2C121&sr=1-1-catcorr] by Kobi Yamada
Hey, Little Ant [https://www.amazon.com/Hey-Little-Ant-Phillip-Hoose/dp/1883672546/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37995G4L2G3UL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.w_cJLwJpkcd9m4dGCREaHuF5NMh8RVx3Wv4rlc5cJSk2IKROZTieXhZPeMmWfYDnxu0FwDIXJkfn5bGPY0DQC9lYs47aUd8N229Mu4-mGiWeGrhDqRP-IYX-WxuL5IpqFOrH6t-dohSdEsnrBuzysRS5GmHfZmNkxPSgvHR8BIe_FFnDJklf3uS_pBZ_7M3f6t4j-pvIP-u0OeO8w46bri8h0ZJztOxcGv1XgzzFfuw.Cr0UqGHNQ9wsJeIu0eMDqii0fegjR1Wnxjhy-P0pNTU&dib_tag=se&keywords=hey+little+ant&qid=1775651638&s=audible&sprefix=hey+little+ant%2Caudible%2C268&sr=1-1] by Phillip and Hannah Hoose (Tricycle Press,1998)
The Day You Begin [https://www.amazon.com/The-Day-You-Begin-audiobook/dp/B07DHSNZSJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BP1V1HDZX5RW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EERORwUHyfJCZIW_C5KNKnhzD6yl1thpDsQglWe6dMYqpNTeA-cd6UwrXR0y2yX1uovtuQAiZHy9YedMfqX6OWl-PiHzXJvUkkqO1HUBzKc-7TkYmj4Me_abMcKGmfQDWBSObyQcuzyq6N2Re2oJoQ.W8gvO5zzHNbp1erC4yGb9CnpiuzIGfV7YtJJ14gEN2g&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+day+you+begin&qid=1775651712&s=audible&sprefix=the+day+you+begin%2Caudible%2C144&sr=1-1] by Jacqueline Woodson
No More Chairs [https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Chairs-Dan-Gill/dp/0316552690/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13OKSFW9LKJPU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z9vQgI22k0tQIH6QrsxwwR_V5dPKa_RoUJi1yO57HRkDrXN3mGYiqLeIY02LYEkKZrWV8EEBQR1s1jDA_q2qOcp3G5JghYJqR9mx8j6so-lGSFBPFXKI66zOGhnudhfK_F6HEVvNzGG0-mfsMEdmyavSoztufneXNeQcBO0Rl6QcqQQ0Lu9KNtoQhVY38AxVCy_75EpORFhwFxd7_e_2E_t6-fduIOXXtM1VJABoTK4.DVj377-bjlaoh0AhaHEFihM7EyjOTpwrYFAtYIKPTnQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=no+more+chairs&qid=1775651767&s=audible&sprefix=no+more+chairs%2Caudible%2C139&sr=1-1] by Dan Gill
Where Oliver Fits [https://www.amazon.com/Where-Oliver-Fits-Cale-Atkinson/dp/1101919078/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Q6SM8J0DED5S&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Llz71iOJmGhJ1wnB9kTyydyjIQaWxUSvLX8BAaDoAK_CojO7Y5y-orHIyd0Lw-ARzSmeh45y_Xmmn5Mz1qwMvdQ5r1tfubTWJokKvH5QrIUmwF34-5A06TKPiOYH6xeQT4QtoLy6fRExsE4LUuh0yhBKVGYN8f016EqRbo07M2lJuLn8CrE0Z91P4AzCDJzrwTF0VEtyWDBlqT6GYHBmEGpNZLPhP6QTxYEjkjKjw_0.ccagG-xo7QJiiqpWJNr5Odnq3qrFessiODc4drl-jHc&dib_tag=se&keywords=where+oliver+fits&qid=1775651787&s=audible&sprefix=where+oliver+fit%2Caudible%2C152&sr=1-1] by Cale Atkinson
The Dot [https://www.amazon.com/The-Dot-Peter-H-Reynolds-audiobook/dp/B00IXVL872/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OF1WYIA1EZ99&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x-H9l8sJKwT6cB1fdBqOJm8ypAN7BbHJPR6HgEJfRZPVGDLFCs5HtUZYI1qzukerZJvgI1j556TKK_0oZGYYrttFSFEoXX6rBSgzeiN2ygK7ZkrJDkv6OFB4-EtwMNK0COtPTFD3HtrQyH8E0adcIMBVz-FfNemh0TIJSGDNr-Q0GHvTBA9zSpmubdK1ruDKNK0xHuWl1BKPtdeUijgd5eYoWBEVfPC7-Zn5adGg0co.L7ZS7H_vkOOZzW6R3PYFCNmVPK_Eb1HlaJOR3gS8qyg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+dot&qid=1775651815&s=audible&sprefix=the+dot%2Caudible%2C152&sr=1-1] by Peter Reynolds
The One Thing You'd Save [https://www.amazon.com/The-One-Thing-Youd-Save/dp/B08SGT9W3N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3O5GWAMIRPTJF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dWfaEq--49FeCsSMpMxHFWQNWAR7vDYOwDS1s_0BQmpXvXja8bVaJTNTDhiz7MgXIgtEsbM54C4Eooojn9Lzug.xDYPWyxoiERk5i7zadjzCYmbQ-W3wXv_tGneOL5PrQk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+one+thing+you%27d+save&qid=1775651841&s=audible&sprefix=the+one+thing+you%27d+sav%2Caudible%2C145&sr=1-1] by Linda Sue Park
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse [https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Mole-Fox-Horse/dp/B08KFJBV6P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PGOZXE4NA3YT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iPYht5vKRP1ifcP4-xFB7Q.x_gN25xMH83YTdOeXzO8oaIwotKo8QCw_zSEEnZSXQQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+boy%2C+the+mole%2C+the+fox&qid=1775651875&s=audible&sprefix=the+boy%2C+the+mole%2C+the+fox%2Caudible%2C130&sr=1-1] by Charlie Mackesy
I'm Sorry You Got Mad [https://www.amazon.com/Im-Sorry-You-Got-Mad/dp/B0CP8BHF7P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PJHSR30RNGOT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pQjVZwgO_Zi8lXhC9x5KUQ.SZlNswRsPn-1aFS46ab3L7oTf8dnrXD3s9R9fHLCdF0&dib_tag=se&keywords=i%27m+sorry+you+got+mad&qid=1775651913&s=audible&sprefix=i%27m+sorry+you+got+ma%2Caudible%2C123&sr=1-1]by Kyle Lukoff
Nancy's Favorites:
Big Life Journal: A Growth Mindset Journal for Children [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Life-Journal-Mindset-Children/dp/B074T998DC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GRJNOTNIP5C0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5MTJwB1dA_mFclkbmEeEp27X5t9UO4lJcLB7wa_Ni3rY_dFFi1xgUMO3NCxSIb_neEYusbd7xT0BZG6blTUOxRYDuQWQ3dkaUpgppe5lrCUvwOe0nKsk_9Mqlx-5cPRDKNOLAp8t4E--Mdtk4ti56xfajPepTBSI3uQvJ6mDvJf4DSAj3PTFVqyD_wS5LahgMB5jweYTrhjmODINf6fjV2URdxk31Y9ovu0WBR7Noh4.PPiawjdaKp0ihHkt_AwxU9WA7iiyQdzaEUWvwdKyL1w&dib_tag=se&keywords=big+life+journal&qid=1774278677&s=books&sprefix=big+life+journal%2Cstripbooks%2C157&sr=1-1] and Big Life Journal – Growth Mindset & Gratitude Journal for Teens and Tweens [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Life-Journal-Growth-Mindset/dp/0692165509/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/141-0788464-5834824?pd_rd_w=e6RSI&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=ZV00DNF1FDAWFX3QWPHS&pd_rd_wg=DqHxy&pd_rd_r=50c788c7-d44a-4888-b7c4-3294058d9729&pd_rd_i=0692165509&psc=1]
Sticky Situations: 365 Devotions for Kids and Families [https://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Situations-Devotions-Kids-Families/dp/0842365508/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QN49CUD2E4DV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mDltHKy030mDZ0-bEUbOD_aSnjPLh_3_h6NXzew2Bhix0iYykRBKYAlM-mvWv_tvrwk2MnRcn3XbIaaoWibzZSsoSI4G2NTQ77bf5a7qw8XGSrEq4QGRAaRuX7fHNvJFoOCr8muL7MmPvD46ns1_9qi7GtMWTBtIRwSAlTUAgFbp8lewFw-DPhzIBS_hkcm2iHUUH5aKfQttDifccqoXtaxMjj94RIVZ0nS2CI2whqo.tuOe-8rNcdloKR37LuhlxhZSspUuZfjWC5dL9EB6Uvw&dib_tag=se&keywords=sticky+situations&qid=1774277418&sprefix=sticky+situations%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1] and Sticky Situations 2: 365 Devotions for Elementary Kids [https://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Situations-Devotions-Elementary-Kids/dp/084234232X/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_2_1/141-0788464-5834824?pd_rd_w=iRV6L&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=D303GJQ3YN0WV2R41N1P&pd_rd_wg=2YU8L&pd_rd_r=0c372d70-5bfa-4b3e-b0ea-05ca60690c82&pd_rd_i=084234232X&psc=1] by Betsy Scmitt
You Get What You Get [https://www.amazon.com/You-Get-What/dp/0545642809/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IaFZNQCRTYsJxBGM9MtFRl03MVY1DOinykclCEP9xbAGjWhPbNNaSdpy5EwqVI-_JqtigXFOv2NLE_xXJ0qOF50kgkXchcZ6z6j13o5y3ARXnQ7DMOo4MR1OqWs-0yAuja_AcIzY91p5Wc_6CQ_sYB2Xoz1BurnC56gnGWK3PHqFSVelnez78mdMl4DCmaTt5NN2BmeJ8pKfgwCskEjlv4rEdRLL31VyyFqWXRjqLGE.RgoApXtfj7rkeTT8RX9FciiVnTmRehhbOrj5Y3mndEg&qid=1774277546&sr=1-1] by Julie Gassman
Brave Every Day [https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Every-Day-Trudy-Ludwig/dp/0593306376/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OPBKJ2Q7OGWR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kAHs4IaHiVnbHVsjyxLKwW47sizgpYipY5iHdlhIfMO_3fUyAXeoGQOUJERXARoRtns0ZiBstjJI5NbkSTqL4EAkYFZciQclCtF0kCh57BT3b9CVFRA8AJKRmGnzhPvLPYfK97qQm8Haj-NcmWj8FhIC0UGGQyML1ET1ECjGZ-olLJebMMVF09k880M0rDNvsbgf-K3ET-3qNjbXYFta1Ne2L2nnh_Eitx6iRtjuHTg.DR1Y0QJWb0cExr0rKAxSyQePZtwIw-66Oosea7roRvM&dib_tag=se&keywords=brave+every+day&qid=1774277608&s=books&sprefix=brave+every+day%2Cstripbooks%2C150&sr=1-1] by Trudy Ludwig
My Secret Bully [https://www.amazon.com/My-Secret-Bully-Trudy-Ludwig/dp/0553509403/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_4/141-0788464-5834824?pd_rd_w=I8GHk&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=W0RBBF2NTEZ6VN0VH7S3&pd_rd_wg=JRiDq&pd_rd_r=8878ef23-c74f-456f-a96a-aa603e51dc2f&pd_rd_i=0553509403&psc=1] by Trudy Ludwig
Fail-A-Bration [https://www.amazon.com/Fail-bration-Brad-Montague/dp/0593697146/ref=sr_1_1?crid=383N70T347GMN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LVz4dcMGtuYzGtMtgWVZnBLWZdSitnmYbQ1GaHxr8QI.gmixlvR7lRebzdlC3M9rpsYaxDPSUjsZmT-vQJjJhvI&dib_tag=se&keywords=fail+a+bration+book&qid=1774277363&sprefix=fail%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-1] by Brad and Kristi Montague
Ninja Life Hacks [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Nhin/author/B07PNM8N1V?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4&qid=1774277735&sr=1-4&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f8385a36-f4b9-4fb1-b42e-d59754c45c02] series by Mary Nhin
Julia Cook [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Nhin/author/B07PNM8N1V?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4&qid=1774277735&sr=1-4&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f8385a36-f4b9-4fb1-b42e-d59754c45c02] books (over 100 books on many social-emotional learning topics)
Diane Alber [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Diane-Alber/author/B00J3YRL56?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=ca716426-c37e-42c6-afbf-7532e4ce514d] books (over 100 books on many social-emotional learning topics)
The Way I Feel [https://www.amazon.com/Way-I-Feel-Janan-Cain/dp/1641604980/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J6JLQN24UVX8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZAzeQckPcdANvdE6Wk5W5zEgtu-A3jq9zcr3PipLWjghR31Q17uy6E-AxERmrbec9X3R-PG7Ba9fOoC4g75NmiedgAVIDU5GpEWVQ-HXhRfBvbXFs3ATV7O86MkYi3XIban9xyd6HB8sWk109QrwnEHaYXvuC7xqWyUzyOsg3F8n4TY-S68hRS7Mr69sKOanbFENml_Yq1oHCPvfSPXzBd9cqRWrXqFpbXRB6rpAbEM.u451evhkO9MH08_-cZAhes9X8nuIvwJGARio3KPjo8o&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+way+i+feel&qid=1774278123&sprefix=the+way+i+feel%2Caps%2C304&sr=8-1], The Way I Act [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1884734995/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=WIYMF&content-id=amzn1.sym.9986c774-1242-403d-ae9e-f3251eb87773&pf_rd_p=9986c774-1242-403d-ae9e-f3251eb87773&pf_rd_r=EN0C60WDVMZZ26Y67YVV&pd_rd_wg=VLFl5&pd_rd_r=b153bf1c-f9f3-4066-9fa0-851e0bfb45aa], and The Way I Feel Too [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641609869/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=3wZ9W&content-id=amzn1.sym.9986c774-1242-403d-ae9e-f3251eb87773&pf_rd_p=9986c774-1242-403d-ae9e-f3251eb87773&pf_rd_r=3RBRMWE2G6ENG8BAGCFJ&pd_rd_wg=DlIuP&pd_rd_r=21bccc47-6665-46f0-811c-26303690f36d] by Janan Cain
I Am Enough [https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Enough-Grace-Byers/dp/B07YRF5XZB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uo0hz6tTsO1TfM1AIIhnfxmleeqrRe50EnQjl5r1ov2NFyGmEAaVNXnMkBN463NlUmoNYl3JV13Hz0hJLoddsft2W35vu8sfRFEY2uSCD2B7QdBsoPFsjJHE-3_3x9GyarJ9e1-EHVVFyD967uO5BQVC4NOkb9UilWXkhuUR-rK8PF3RxWpQo5qKTtzyVA07OmM3wygCJ-4bfiZjtHAmRPHpjzxWrd7Fux1P5C2M_R1RY0TysHUW4PLAT1kWCskxWP0UlPzykan2v_Uhx7a_kySCXWmXTXxwNYrSs8-I8rg.TcbQRzUlIlBb7vKYLNh36x5dUB9lO0JSyKDs7VLTym8&qid=1774278460&sr=1-1] and I Believe I Can [https://www.amazon.com/I-Believe-Can-Grace-Byers/dp/1338692186/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0] by Grace Byers
I Can’t Wait! [https://www.amazon.com/I-Cant-Wait-Tim-Elmore/dp/1736900137/ref=sr_1_2?crid=34HOI15GLO65T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NiUf1REwy5vp0j0TVpHSrapOlReYXPpBX9hpuUAsIhETHxW104iC8c8Z_fT7NvhORtQgUmnZA6YZk-Yf5PnlvV3rVCz5OykhYtSkYcFUqMlJxpczpv5KNf45DcbpqfwXKwuMWs5mmKTuaOi9Zy1JHiZ1beYRaPRI7XcCFN0gAkLAkRY1VDlle9KF_nGKE0uJWrQRGYC8RLR-oycJpos0XYu7BUHhYLp1QKkckLtZxRE.yau9Rg6ngUZGhF2SGS0BfsOVS-VFRpjOylN__aYb_-0&dib_tag=se&keywords=I+Can%27t+wait&qid=1774279091&s=books&sprefix=i+can%27t+wait%2Cstripbooks%2C156&sr=1-2] By Tim Elmore
When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left [https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Arent-Going-Right-ebook/dp/B09ZNST6K1/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xgeLvBF7XEsiLgwkUhTFG9HOoGGR83zI6grzxEu-PsdSaMIdHIEwX8Yf3jUegrYxNXmGFcm2bJchHw5uwsiu29-KNQGUqH2-nSkmeyrQrsja9mLfyqcmX0N3MuzkUeWmnW2PuRNEcjbVzMrOki5T6S3YFmuNO0aD6Mh6mkAfk5wRW9cpSZapjh-O-IUSbSOjBg_SxGvh4Pm27vKBj4hTpE71F7mck2BpL94rbkEQqy0.dlcsv_kAzZSX5IhrjGSLHF7umlLde2B9ZgkClChWNqM&qid=1774286235&sr=1-1] by Marc Colagiovanni