Picture Books About Temper Tantrums
The tantrum. The terrible twos. A meltdown. An emotional storm. Making a scene. Hysterics. An outburst. Throwing a wobbly. And my personal Southern favorite — pitchin’ a fit. Whatever you call it, temper tantrums are the universal language of toddlers who haven’t learned how to manage their very big feelings yet.
And sometimes, it’s not just tears on the floor of the grocery store. Sometimes, it’s the stubborn attitude, the crossed arms, and the infamous “NO!” phase that seems to last forever.
The good news? Books can help. The right stories help little ones recognize their emotions and how to work through them. At the same time, they provide parents, teachers, and caregivers with helpful language and strategies to manage the chaos. Hopefully, these books will help prevent a meltdown or help you survive one with a little more patience and fewer gray hairs.
Here are 10 picture books that tackle tantrums, big feelings, and toddler drama with humor, heart, and a few helpful tools along the way.
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1
Add to BookshelfWaaa Waaa Goes Táwà
by Àlàbá Ònájìn
Set in a vibrant Nigerian village, this playful picture book follows little Táwà, whose dramatic “Waa Waa” tantrums seem to erupt everywhere from the market to the hair-braiding chair. Her unpredictable crying spurts often get her what she wants, leaving the adults around her frustrated and exhausted. But when bedtime arrives, the grown-ups turn the tables, and Táwà has to calm the adults down. With expressive illustrations and plenty of humor, this lively story highlights the universal challenge of toddler tantrums while giving families a fun way to talk about big emotions.
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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2
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Because of a Shoe
by Julie Fogliano
This funny and heartfelt picture book captures a familiar parenting moment: The epic meltdown over putting on shoes. Told in one long, playful sentence, the story follows a caregiver’s dramatic response to a toddler’s shoe-hating tantrum. But beneath the chaos and frustration is a warm reminder that even during the loudest meltdowns, love between parent and child never wavers. Expressive illustrations make this funny, relatable read-aloud a great fit for families navigating big toddler emotions.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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3
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Llama Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney
In the second book of the beloved Llama Llama series, our favorite preschool camelid turns a quick trip to the store into an epic meltdown. First, Llama Llama gets bored, then overwhelmed, and then very, very cranky. The long lines, noisy aisles, and the lack of Mama’s attention send him over the top into “tantrum land.” With gentle reassurance and patience, Mama helps Llama calm down and see that errands can be fun. Told in catchy rhymes with fun illustrations, this relatable story helps young children understand big feelings and how to work through them.
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4
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How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings
by Allan Wolf
Need a tantrum to-do list? This playful picture book helps kids recognize and manage big emotions before a meltdown happens. Through rhythmic verse and colorful illustrations, it introduces ten fun, calming strategies like deep breathing, silly dancing, or finding a quiet space to help children release frustration in healthy ways. The story also explains the physical signs of a tantrum so kids can spot those feelings early. Both empowering and humorous, it gives young readers simple tools to handle overwhelming emotions like a champ.
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5
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Mad, Mad, MAD
by Leslie Patricelli
Leslie Patricelli’s playful, bestselling board books shed light on everyday concepts with a lighthearted style. In Mad, Mad, MAD, Baby has a big tantrum after a hard day, going from sad to MAD, MAD, MAD quickly! From screaming and flopping on the floor to trying to calm down with a favorite blankie, Baby learns that strong feelings don’t last forever. Simple text and vivid illustrations introduce young children to coping strategies like taking a walk and practicing mindful breathing. It’s a relatable and reassuring look at the brevity of big feelings and how to find “the happy” again.
Add to BookshelfBoard Book
$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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6
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Naptastrophe!
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Most toddler (and adult) tantrums can be solved by taking a nap. But when you skip, shorten, or abandon the afternoon nap entirely, you’re headed for big meltdowns. In Naptastrophe!, Lucy insists she is “not tired, NOT tired, NOT tired.” But skipping her nap turns a simple trip to the store with Dad into a loud, bright, and overwhelming meltdown. As Lucy fights drooping eyelids and rising frustration, the day spirals into a full-blown “naptastrophe.” With humor and vibrant illustrations, this relatable story shows kids (and parents) why sometimes the best thing you can do is take a nap. 😴
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7
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Grumpy Monkey Says No!
by Suzanne Lang
Did you know the bestselling Grumpy Monkey books have a board book series aimed at 0-3-year-olds? In Grumpy Monkey Says No!, Jim Panzee is in a stubborn mood, and the only word he wants to say is “no!” Walk? No. Playdate? No. Even a banana? Nope! Through playful repetition and silly humor, this board book captures a familiar toddler phase when “no” feels like the answer to everything. Hopefully, the classic Grumpy Monkey illustrations and lighthearted tone will inspire little readers that being open to new things can be fun.
Add to BookshelfBoard Book
$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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8
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No Fits, Nilson!
by Zachariah OHora
Nilson is a 9-foot blue gorilla who struggles to keep his cool, but his pint-sized friend Amelia helps him navigate his massive meltdowns. From toppled block towers to stubborn sneakers and ice-cream disappointments, Nilson’s tantrums are huge, loud, and hilariously over-the-top. Amelia’s calm reminders, creative solutions, and unexpected reveal at the end (that Nilson is actually her stuffed animal!) make this playful story a fun lesson in recognizing big feelings and seeing the humor in our overreactions.
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$18.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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9
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Finn Throws a Fit!
by David Elliott
When Finn suddenly decides he doesn’t want his usual peach slices, his mood erupts into a tantrum so big it’s described like thunder, lightning, and blizzards sweeping through the house. Through dramatic, energetic illustrations and playful language, the story captures the intensity of a child’s meltdown and the calm that follows once the storm passes. Both funny and empathetic, it reminds readers that big feelings can blow through like a storm … and sometimes end with a simple “please.”
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$6.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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10
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Tiny Tantrum
by Caroline Crowe
In Tiny Tantrum, a little girl known for her explosive meltdowns meets an unexpected group of helpful monster friends. Each colorful monster pops up at just the right moment, offering playful rhymes and gentle reminders about sharing, trying new foods, brushing teeth, and keeping calm. With humor and imagination, the monsters help Tiny learn better ways to handle frustration and big feelings. This book is part of the Let’s Read Together series that combines reading time with important, gentle lessons.
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