Navigating the rollercoaster of human emotions can be tough enough for those of us old enough to pack our own lunches. It’s no wonder young kids need a helping hand. Luckily, Andrea Kinsmith of Traralgon’s Reader’s Emporium has the book recommendations to help our little ones out.
Learning how to identify and cope with emotions is a skill that needs to be taught. When children can identify their own and others' emotions, they can gauge a situation and respond in a healthy and appropriate manner. This learning also helps them to form better relationships as they grow up. Books like these can provide great opportunities to encourage growth in this area.
Learning how to identify and cope with emotions is a skill that needs to be taught.
Feelings Are Just Feelings
Local author: Andrea Kate McKenzie
Illustrator: Christina Miesen
Feelings Are Just Feelings is a picture book that tackles a very important subject from a slightly different point of view.
Some books are written to help children identify their feelings, while others provide techniques to help children deal with their feelings appropriately.
One of the additional messages that Andrea’s book instils in children is that feelings are just feelings: they come and go and change, but they do not make us who we are.
This is a great message for young and old. While feelings are very important to acknowledge, it is equally important that we don’t let them rule our lives.
Andrea’s book points out that it is how we react to our feelings that really matters. Much of the book then goes on to talk about how children might choose to react in certain situations.
Author & illustrator: Anthony Browne
Silly Billy is an old favourite. This picture book tells the story of a little boy who worries a lot. One day, when he is staying with his grandma, he finds himself worrying so much that he can’t get to sleep.
When his grandma finds out about his worrying, she tells him that she has just the thing to help. Going into her room, she comes back with six small dolls in the palm of her hand. She instructs Billy to tell his worries to each of the worry dolls and then put them under his pillow. She tells him that the worry dolls will do the worrying for him while he sleeps.
This is a lovely story with a gentle message and a sweet ending that will make you smile.
In the back of the book, Anthony Browne mentions that the idea for the worry dolls is borrowed from Guatemalan culture. He also provides instructions on how to make your own worry dolls.
Because this book has a simple follow-up activity that naturally fits with it, it’s also great to use as a classroom activity for school.
Author & illustrator: Patrick George
This very simple book by Patrick George has a really interesting way of helping children identify their feelings. Each page has a silhouette of a child holding a balloon, with simple text below stating their feeling, such as “I feel happy”.
The feeling is expressed through the pose of the child, the position of the balloon and the colours of both the balloon and the page. I find it amazing that such a simple design can manage to convey feelings so effectively.
Because the text and images are so sparse, this kind of book is best used as a conversation starter. For example, children can be asked about what they think the child in the picture is doing and what they think has made them feel happy or sad. This can lead to a discussion about what situations might make the child reading feel like that.
If you are the kind of person who finds themselves stuck for words, this book may not be for you. But if you feel comfortable talking to children, this book offers a great opportunity to open up a discussion about feelings.
Author & illustrator: Craig Phillips
Beautifully illustrated by Craig Phillips, Aroha’s Way is more like a children’s guide to dealing with feelings of anxiety rather than a story. Through simple rhyme, we follow Aroha’s journey as she uses techniques to ward off nervousness, fear, worry and apprehension.
The illustrations match the text perfectly. The earthy tones and the constant feeling of wind blowing feed into the idea of Aroha facing the winds of life.
The back of the book goes into more detail about the techniques that Aroha uses: exercise to relieve nervousness, breathing to blow away fear, mindful distraction to relieve worrying thoughts and talking with friends to help deal with apprehension.
This book was designed to empower children by helping them to connect with their emotions and learn ways to maintain control as they face the winds of life.
These books are great aids to help kids understand and manage their feelings – and with stunning illustrations and charming storylines, they are a lot of fun too.
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Our dear friends at the Reader’s Emporium (readersemporium.com.au) have been supporting Gippslandia since #1. Why don’t you show them some love? Head to Shop 12 Seymour Arcade, Traralgon from 10am.