Today I am sharing two Feel Better Books written by authors Holly Brochmann and Leah Bowen and illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez. Both books compliment each other and can be used together. They are written for children ages 3 to 6.
A Feel Better Book for Little Worriers
Magination Press, Fiction, Aug. 7, 2017
Themes: Worry, Anxiety, Rhyme
Opening: How’s it going today, / are you doing all right? / Are you fantastic, and happy and bright?
Synopsis: Worries can feel like a BIG problem to a LITTLE kid! This book helps little ones who are just beginning to recognize and identify their emotions to understand how worry feels and affects them. Do they feel butterflies in their tummies? Is their heart beating fast? Worries differ for each child. Some children worry about going to bed, finishing homework, learning to swim, and speaking in front of the class. And some worries can be important and protect them from harm.
A Feel Better Book for Little Tempers
Magination Press, Fiction, Mar. 19, 2018
Themes: Anger, Tempers, Rhyme
Opening: Is it one of those days / you feel misunderstood? / You’re huffy and puffy / and just plain not good.
Synopsis: Sometimes the LITTLEST kids can have the BIGGEST tempers! This books helps young children who are just beginning to recognize and identify their emotions understand how anger feels and affects them. Are they clenching their fists? Are they so mad they feel like they may explode? Readers are taught that it’s okay to get mad, if you know what to do.
Why I like these two books:
They are told in catchy rhymes that are joyful and fun to read out loud. The narration is gentle and calming and introduces the subject of worry and temper in a very simple and straightforward manner. Each book first identifies the feelings of worry and anger through a diverse group of children doing a variety of activities. And then the children are introduced to activities like jumping up and down, spinning, stretching, wiggling, dancing, running, taking deep breaths and giving themselves a BIG hug.
The lively and expressive illustrations will charm children from the start. They are bold, colorful and perfectly capture each story.
Resources: Both books include a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” that gives information about recognizing worry and anger, and offers tools to help manage anxiety and anger. This is an excellent discussion book for home and at school.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
The publisher provided me with advanced copies of the books.
Children's Books Heal 
I love that you’ve paired these books, as worry & anger so often go hand-in-hand.
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Thank you! They were perfectly paired.
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I love Shirley’s artwork so much. I think it is a great idea to address these feelings in rhyme.
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Yes, I agree with you. Rhyme was the best method of communicating these stories! And, Shirley’s artwork is bold and full of detail.
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Looks like a wonderful series.
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It is a love series. Thanks!
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So very important. Are they planning more books for this series?
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I can’t tell from the Magination Press website. They published one book in 2017 and one in 2018. There may be more.
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I definitely could’ve used the Feel Better Book for Little Worriers when I was a kid. I can still remember how all-encompassing my worry could be. I bet these titles will resonate with many kids.
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Yes, I agree. I would have benefited from the Little Worriers book as a child.
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I’m pleased to see books about children’s feelings. I think adults don’t always realize that children worry and just consider them bad when they get angry. Good books for adults to read with their children.
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Yes, they are good books for parents and kids to read together and discuss their worries.
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It is useful to have books to help children identify and talk about their emotions. It can be difficult to do so at times.
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Kids don’t always understand their emotions. I know I didn’t.
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I think when children have opportunities to describe how their body feels, they grow to understand that their emotions are connected.
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It’s nice to see books that acknowledge that little kids have big feelings.
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Thank you for commenting. Kids do have big feelings and books like these are helpful.
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