Inside Out-inspired reads: Book recommendations for emotional wellness across all ages

Emotions play a crucial role in our daily lives, shaping our experiences and interactions. The movies 'Inside Out' 1 and 2 beautifully illustrate this by bringing emotions like Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust to life. Inspired by these films, Penguin India shares a list of book recommendations that cater to both children and adults, aiming to enhance their emotional health and well-being.These books delve into various emotions, offering insights and coping strategies for different age groups. Whether you're a parent looking to help your child navigate their feelings or an adult seeking deeper emotional understanding, these books can provide valuable tools and comforting narratives. So, checkout this book recommendations listicle for children and adults, based on the emotions explored in 'Inside Out' 1 & 2.

1. Joy
'Guess How Much I Love You'

Sam McBratney's timeless story, beautifully illustrated by Anita Jeram's gentle watercolours, has captured the hearts of children and adults alike. How much does Little Nutbrown Hare love his daddy? 'Guess How Much I Love You', by Sam McBratney, is a tale about the bonds of love between parent and child. It’s a beautiful exposition of how we perceive love and its grandeur. That love seems limitless to us, and we can hardly express it. An enlarged board book edition of this much-loved classic that children will simply cherish.
2. Fear
'The Prisoner of Bhopal': Age 9 and above

Amil has always dreamed of working at the modern, space-age pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, where he lives. Instead, on his tenth birthday, he is torn from his family and taken to work for Mr Kumar and his cruel son, Jalesh, in their dilapidated printing factory. There, hidden in a trunk, he finds a secret First World War journal. As its pages come to life, they reveal not only why Amil is there, but that he and the journal’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 plant leaks poison gas into the air above Bhopal...
3. Sadness
'Counting by 7s' – Age 10 and above

In the tradition of 'Out of My Mind', 'Wonder', and 'Mockingbird', this is an intensely moving middle-grade 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 medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life.. until now. Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully 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 feels right! Nothing will do, and Jim just doesn't know why...His friends can't understand it - HOW can he be in a mood when it's such a beautiful day!? They have lots of suggestions for how 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 the perfect reminder that the 'grumpy monkey' days never last long.
5. Envy
'The Wonderful Things You Will Be'

In this timeless poem about growing up, Emily Windfield Martin explores all the things you can choose to be, from brave and bold to creative and wise. Filled with beautiful, quirky illustrations and clever read-aloud rhyme, grown-ups 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 over and over again.
6. Embarrassment
'The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks'

Not only is she about to start high school without any friends or glamorous swooshy hair, she's just discovered she's too flat-chested to wear A BRA! She might as well give up now and go into hibernation with her hamsters Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third. Lottie navigates the perils of growing up in this fantastically funny new illustrated series for pre-teens filled with friendship, embarrassing moments and, of course, KitKat Chunkys.
The first book in the hilarious new series for children by the bestselling creator of Hurrah For Gin. Perfect for fans of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Dork Diaries.
7. Ennui
'Murder Most Unladylike'

When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't.) Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym.
8. Anxiety
'The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl' for ages 10 and above

A lightning strike gave her a superpower...but even a super genius can't solve the problem of middle school. This smart and funny novel is perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Rain Reign, and Counting by Sevens. Lucy Callahan's life was changed forever when she was struck by lightning. She doesn't remember it, but the zap gave her genius-level math skills, and she's been homeschooled ever since. Now, at 12 years old, she's technically ready for college. She just has to pass 1 more test--middle school! Lucy's grandma insists: Go to middle school for 1 year. Make 1 friend. Join 1 activity. And read 1 book (that's not a math textbook!). Lucy's not sure what a girl who does calculus homework for fun can possibly learn in 7th grade. She has everything she needs at home, where nobody can make fun of her rigid routines or her superpowered brain. The equation of Lucy's life has already been solved. Unless there's been a miscalculation? A celebration of friendship, Stacy McAnulty's smart and thoughtful middle-grade debut reminds us all to get out of our comfort zones and embrace what makes us different.