Stories About Envy to Read with Children
Even if you try to prevent it, it’s inevitable that your children will have to deal with negative emotions. Life isn’t always simple or fair and certain situations can be difficult for them to process. As a result, the guidance of adults is very important. We’ll give you some stories about envy that can make explaining this emotion a little easier.
Don’t worry if you sense this emotion in your children. At some point, everyone feels envy to a greater or lesser extent. However, the pain and sadness that arise from wanting something someone else has, such as assets, qualities or relationships, can significantly impact a child.
Therefore, as parents, your job is to help them understand and manage this feeling. Reading can actually be your greatest ally in this task and can provide a comfortable space for dialogue with children. The books we suggest below are excellent options for tackling the issue of envy.
Stories about envy to read with children
A Colorful Head
This story by Pedro Pablo Sacristán shows us, in a funny way, how envy can bring negative consequences. The protagonist of this funny story always felt envy and greed for what the people around him had. Suddenly, one day, the hairs on his head began to feel the same envy towards each other. This led the boy to experience a series of surreal events.
Finally, the boy understood that he should enjoy what he had instead of always looking at what others have. Ultimately, he found a way to see his own opportunities and take advantage of them in the best way possible.
Emma and Envy
This wonderful children’s book is the work of Violeta Monreal and is part of a collection dedicated to working on values and feelings that little ones have. We recommend it for children at least six years old, although you can read it to younger children as well.
Emma, the protagonist of our story, is very envious of her brothers and her neighbor. However, she embarks on a thrilling adventure that’s halfway between reality and fantasy that leads her to discover a magic formula to solver her problem.
At the beginning of the story, the book presents a description of envy and the opposite feeling, satisfaction. This helps children understand and identify the emotion that you’re working on. In addition, after reading, it’s best to reflect with your children on the story so you can share together and retain the lesson.
Red Cat, Blue Cat
This is a hilarious book that’s suitable for children that are at least four years old and has simple, striking illustrations. Red cat and blue cat live in the same house, but they can’t get along. Every time they cross paths, they end up in a fight. However, both envy the other. The blue cat wants to be as fast and agile as the red cat, while the red cat wants to be as smart as the blue cat.
The two are willing to do crazy things to be more like the other. However, eventually, they discover that being like the other one isn’t as fun as it seems. Then, they come to the conclusion that it’s more important to value and enhance their own qualities and that they can help each other improve.
Katharine’s Doll
This endearing children’s book, despite being older, will undoubtedly capture your child’s attention because it will be easy for them to identify with the protagonists. Katharine and Lola are best friends and do everything together until one day Katharine receives a beautiful doll.
Then, Lola really wants to own what her friend has to the extent that their friendship is in jeopardy. By reading this beautiful story, children will understand that envy hurts those who feel it as well as those around them.
Read stories about envy to educate your children in emotional intelligence
Reading with children isn’t only a good way to have fun, but also a wonderful opportunity to bond emotionally. It also allows us to guide them in the process of identifying, understanding and managing their emotions. With these stories, your child can transform envy into a healthy feeling of inspiration.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Monreal, V. (2016). Enma y la envidia. Madrid, España: San Pablo.
- Winthrop, E., & Hafner, M. (1985). La muñeca de Catalina. España: Ediciones Altea.
- Desmond, J. (2016). Gato rojo, gato azul. Madrid, España: Lata de Sal editorial.