Big Feelings

I would say this is one of the best books I’ve seen about emotions. Rebekah goes beyond linking emotions to colours or naming them but also describes how they make your body feel and how to manage them.

Rebekah explains, in rhyming couplets, why feelings are important and what could cause those particular feelings. Strategies are given for celebrating positive feelings and dealing with ‘yuck’ feelings, for instance, throwing soft cushions against a wall when feeling angry.

Rebekah’s illustrations are bright, colourful and reflect today’s diverse society in terms of gender and race. Children will identify with the expressive facials.

The back of the book has fourteen pages of resources for parents, teachers and other ‘big people’ in children’s lives. Adults are encouraged to acknowledge children’s feelings and given clear instructions for helping children to manage themselves through different breathing exercises.

I highly recommend this book for all parents and educators.

Title: Big Feelings: and what they tell us

Author & Illustrator: Rebekah Ballagh

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

ISBN: 9781991006004

RRP: $29.99

Format: Paperback

Publication: August 2022

Ages: 3-9 years (and adults)

Themes: emotions

Reviewer: Nova Gibson, Librarian, Massey Primary School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Highly Recommended

Opening sentence: Emotions are messages from your heart, they tell you what you need.

You can buy this book here