Booklist: Our Favorite Tear-jerker Picture Books

They’ll get ya every time….

Every single parent has been in the following situation at least once in their life (and if you have yet to, get ready:)

You’re settling your child down and beginning the nighttime routine. You tell your young one to grab a book, you snuggle down in their small bed, and you begin on the first page. As you make your way through the story, you start to feel a lump form in your throat and you tell yourself it’s because you’re tired or hormonal (or both.) Slowly and then all at once tears start to well up in your eyes and your voice is cracking. Your child turns to you and stares because you’re crying and trying to keep in the ugly sob but it can’t be contained.

I found myself in this same situation several weeks ago as I read a glorious picture book (included in the book list below) to my 15, 12, and 8 year old. I couldn’t stop crying - big, fat, alligator, “mom has lost it” tears.

And I’m far enough along in my parenting journey that I knew to just let it happen. Let them see the tears because some of the best books in the world do that to us. They make us FEEL and emote and cry.

Some people stay away from emotions and definitely stay away from showing any in front of their kids, but I say, “let it rain!”

Here are a few books to add to your shelves and your kids memory banks.

Embrace the tears, friends. Grab one of these books, some tissues, and your babies.

It’s time to cry.