Once Upon a Time this Morning

A parent should reach for this book when helping a young child make sense of the small but powerful emotions that fill a typical day. "Once Upon a Time this Morning" is not a single story, but a collection of gentle, slice-of-life vignettes that mirror a preschooler's world: the pride of getting dressed alone, the frustration of a toy not working, the joy of playing with a friend, and the minor conflicts of sharing. It beautifully normalizes the emotional rollercoaster of early childhood, showing children that their feelings of anger, happiness, and pride are all valid. For ages 3 to 6, this book is a wonderful tool for opening conversations about empathy, resilience, and navigating social situations in a simple, reassuring way.