The Color Monster

Support emotional literacy, self-regulation, and meaningful conversations about feelings with The Color Monster by Anna Llenas, a bestselling picture book that helps young children understand and express their emotions through color.

When the Color Monster wakes up feeling confused and overwhelmed, a young girl guides him through sorting his feelings—happiness, anger, sadness, calm, fear, and love—into clear, relatable categories.

Ideal for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early primary learners, this beautifully illustrated story supports key early learning objectives:

• Social-emotional learning (SEL) – teaches children to identify, label, and organize their emotions

• Emotional vocabulary building – expands expressive language around feelings and experiences

• Visual literacy – rich, textured collage-style illustrations prompt discussion and interpretation

• Self-regulation skills – encourages mindfulness, reflection, and emotional awareness

• Classroom routines – pairs well with daily feelings check-ins or mood-board activities

Perfect for circle time, SEL lessons, mental-health–focused curriculum, counseling sessions, or calm-down corner setups, The Color Monster is an essential tool for early childhood programs seeking to build emotionally safe and supportive learning environments.