Colour Monster – a term that’s captured the imagination of children, parents, educators and mental health advocates alike. Initially made famous by the best-selling picture book The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas, the character has grown into an emotional literacy tool, a classroom staple, and a parenting essential. With an explosion of searches on YouTube, Google, Quora and social platforms like X and Meta, the Colour Monster has transitioned from book pages into everyday conversations about emotions.

Whether you’re a parent looking for ways to help your child express feelings, a teacher planning a wellbeing lesson, or just someone curious about this curious, colourful character, this article dives deep into everything the online world wants to know about the Colour Monster.

Who or What is the Colour Monster

At its core, the Colour Monster is a loveable creature who represents emotions through colours. The 2012 original book, written and illustrated by Spanish author and illustrator Anna Llenas, has been translated into several other languages and is still a well-liked early childhood education resource.

The monster changes colour to match different emotions—yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, black for fear, green for calm, and sometimes pink for love. This visual approach to understanding feelings resonates with children and adults alike, particularly those who struggle to verbalise emotions.

Why the Colour Monster Resonates with Children

Children often find it difficult to label or articulate what they’re feeling. The Colour Monster simplifies this process. By associating colours with emotions, the book and related resources create an accessible emotional vocabulary. This not only supports emotional literacy but also helps build empathy, emotional regulation, and mental wellbeing from an early age.

Trending conversations on parenting forums and Meta reveal how parents are using Colour Monster dolls, posters and flashcards at home. Many say it helps reduce tantrums, facilitates bedtime talks, and encourages children to open up about their day without fear of judgement.

How Teachers Use the Colour Monster in Classrooms

In UK schools, particularly EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and Key Stage 1, the Colour Monster has become a go-to resource for PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education). Teachers use the story to introduce circle time discussions, mindfulness practices, and creative activities like colouring worksheets or emotion jars.

According to trends on Google and teaching forums, educators are creating Colour Monster corners in classrooms. These often include visual aids, stuffed toys, and daily check-in boards where pupils move their name under the monster they relate to that morning.

This technique, often called “emotional check-ins”, supports the UK’s growing emphasis on wellbeing in schools and aligns with Ofsted’s new focus on pupil welfare. It’s an inclusive way to monitor emotional changes and provide support early on.

The Role of the Colour Monster in Mental Health Conversations

The Colour Monster has made a significant contribution to conversations on mental health outside of the classroom and bedtime tales. Counsellors and child psychologists frequently recommend the book to parents dealing with anxiety, ADHD, autism, and sensory processing issues in their children.

On Quora, countless questions explore the effectiveness of using the Colour Monster to support children in therapy. Experts respond by praising the tool’s impact and ease of use. Similarly, YouTube is filled with therapeutic storytelling sessions featuring the monster, many of which rack up thousands of views from educators, therapists, and families.

Adults have also been seen to utilize the idea to describe their own emotions in self-care journals or therapy sessions. The approachability of a monster that “feels too many things at once” offers comfort and clarity.

Colour Psychology and Why It Works

The psychology behind the Colour Monster is rooted in colour theory and how we emotionally respond to hues. While there’s no universal agreement on colour-emotion associations, many people instinctively connect red with anger or passion, and blue with sadness or peace.

Children especially respond well to visual cues. By seeing feelings represented in tangible, colourful ways, they develop the ability to understand, name, and manage emotions—critical components of emotional intelligence.

Social media trends on X and Meta show a rise in “colour emotion mapping” activities, with teachers and parents encouraging children to match their current mood with coloured drawings, water beads, or emoji-style face cards.

Popular Colour Monster Resources and Merchandise

The popularity of the Colour Monster has led to a wave of official and unofficial merchandise. From plush toys and felt puppets to downloadable printables and classroom posters, there’s a wide array of supportive materials.

The following are the most popular items on Pinterest and Google:

The Colour Monster plush doll – perfect for classroom corners or bedtime cuddles.

Emotion jars – DIY crafts where kids fill jars with coloured items based on how they feel.

Printable worksheets – colour-the-monster activities that reinforce learning.

Interactive emotion wheels – used by therapists and schools for emotional check-ins.

YouTube is packed with tutorials on creating DIY Colour Monster puppets, lapbooks, and crafts, making it easy for families and teachers to engage children creatively while promoting emotional growth.

Colour Monster and Neurodivergent Children

The Colour Monster concept has been particularly beneficial for neurodivergent children, including those with autism or speech and language delays. Parents across Reddit, X, and Quora share testimonials on how this simple character has opened up communication avenues that once felt impossible.

Since colour-coding is often used in structured learning environments, the Colour Monster fits seamlessly into visual timetables and sensory-friendly spaces. It provides consistency and predictability, which is crucial for many autistic children.

Meta parenting groups frequently feature adaptations of the Colour Monster for use in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication Systems), adding another layer of accessibility.

Digital Adaptations and Animated Content

The Colour Monster has not stayed confined to books. There’s now a charming animated series based on the character, available on several children’s streaming platforms and YouTube. These short episodes explore various emotions and social scenarios, narrated in soothing tones and designed to calm rather than overstimulate.

On X, the hashtag #ColourMonsterShow has been trending, especially among parenting influencers reviewing the series. Some schools have integrated these short films into their morning or end-of-day routines to help students transition more smoothly between activities.

In addition, apps and interactive ebooks allow children to engage with the Colour Monster through games, puzzles, and digital storytelling—particularly helpful for tech-savvy or reluctant readers.

Colour Monster in Parenting Strategies

For many UK parents, especially those homeschooling or raising emotionally sensitive children, the Colour Monster is part of their everyday toolkit. From meal times to bedtime routines, parents find the character a useful emotional prompt.

One common technique circulating on X involves asking children to “colour their day” on a printable monster page. It helps kids reflect on how they felt during school, after playing, or during arguments with siblings—without needing to articulate in complex language.

Additionally, parents often report that using the Colour Monster during car journeys or before big events (e.g. birthday parties, school plays) helps children manage anticipatory anxiety.

Why Adults Also Love the Colour Monster

Although originally intended for children, many adults resonate with the character too. Mental health communities on Meta share how they use Colour Monster journals to track their own emotions. Teachers, social workers, and even corporate HR managers have adopted the language of the Colour Monster in their wellbeing frameworks.

The metaphor of feelings being “all mixed up” has wide appeal in today’s emotionally turbulent world. When life gets overwhelming, adults find comfort in the visual simplicity and gentle encouragement offered by the Colour Monster’s narrative.

The Cultural Impact and International Reach

What began as a local Spanish publication has now become a global emotional literacy phenomenon. From nurseries in the UK to therapy centres in Australia and parenting seminars in Canada, the Colour Monster is a symbol of modern emotional education.

Google Trends shows spikes in searches for the Colour Monster during back-to-school season, Mental Health Awareness Week, and around major holidays—times typically filled with high emotional intensity for children.

Teachers on platforms like Tes and Twinkl often share lesson plans inspired by the monster, reinforcing how deeply it’s integrated into early years pedagogy worldwide.

Latest Trends on X and Meta

Currently, one of the most popular trends on X is the “#MyMoodMonster” challenge, where educators and parents post daily photos of their mood colour using Colour Monster visuals. It’s a playful, communal way of fostering emotional self-awareness and normalising conversations around mental health.

Meanwhile, Meta groups are buzzing with back-to-school preparations that include revamped Colour Monster displays, wellbeing walls, and new emotion chart designs. It’s a growing movement, not just a teaching fad.

Notably, influencers in early years education are beginning to advocate for a “Colour Monster curriculum”—a structured approach to emotion education based on the monster’s themes. This trend is only expected to grow as emotional literacy becomes central to child development standards.

FAQs

What is The Colour Monster about?

The Colour Monster, by Anna Llenas, is a charming children’s picture book that helps young readers understand and label emotions. A little girl guides a confused monster—feeling all mixed up—to sort his feelings into coloured jars: yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, green for calm, and more .

Why is it popular in schools and on social media?

Since its release in 2018, this story has become a staple in primary classrooms and Early Years settings. Teachers use flashcards, stop–motion videos, and DIY displays to explore emotions through visuals—recent TikToks show children creating their own “colour monster” art and costumes inspired by the story .

Are there any new additions or sequels?

Yes—beyond the original board and pop‑up editions, the series now includes The Colour Monster Goes to School, Dr. Colour Monster and the Emotions Toolkit, and interactive formats like colouring books and sticker sets. A 4‑book collection edition came out in April 2025, featuring a pop‑up and toolkit version .

What trends are happening on X (formerly Twitter)?

On X, hashtags like #TheColourMonster are buzzing with school projects introducing new variations—purple for “tired” and orange for “confused.” Teachers are discussing classroom community-building through emotion‑colour activities .

How can parents use the book at home?

Parents can reinforce emotional learning by creating emotion‑jars, flashcards, or colour‑monster crafts. Recent TikToks show families making cut‑out monsters, building flashcards, and organizing role‑play games to help kids tune into their feelings .

To Conclude

The Colour Monster is more than just a children’s book character—it’s a symbol of emotional growth, a bridge between feelings and words, and a friendly guide through the ups and downs of everyday life. Its use in homes, schools, therapy rooms and online communities shows just how vital emotional literacy has become in today’s world.

As UK parents and educators seek more creative, effective ways to support children’s wellbeing, the Colour Monster continues to rise as a vibrant, gentle ally in the emotional journey. Whether you’re five or fifty, there’s something universally comforting about naming your feelings—and seeing them in colour.

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