It’s Okay to Feel This Way
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
A child explores her feelings, naming and describing them, showing it is okay to have a variety of feelings, and that feelings can change depending on the circumstances. With bold, colourful and simple mixed media illustrations, this book encourages self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the story make you feel when the characters were expressing their emotions?
Can you relate to any of the characters' feelings in the book? Why or why not?
What would you do if you felt the same way as any of the characters?
Why do you think it's important to talk about our feelings?
How can we help friends who are experiencing difficult emotions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the book, ask your child how they feel and assure them that all feelings are valid.
While reading, pause after emotional moments to discuss how different scenarios can evoke various feelings.
Use expressive facial and voice tones to match the emotions being discussed in the book, helping your child connect more deeply with the characters.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture or write a short story about a time when they felt similar to a character in the book.
Reinforce that it's okay to express feelings by sharing your own experiences related to the themes in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Emotions
Explanation: The story demonstrates how acknowledging and expressing feelings is healthy and necessary. Characters in the book navigate through various emotions, showing it's okay to feel them openly.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify and communicate their feelings more clearly, helping them manage emotions better in everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Characters in the book demonstrate compassion by listening to each other's feelings, fostering a supportive environment.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more empathetic towards their friends and family members, understanding different perspectives and emotions.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The book portrays characters who face emotional challenges and work through them constructively.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving approaches to their own life challenges, potentially reducing stress and enhancing coping strategies.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Through the storyline, characters experience setbacks but also recovery, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to persevere through their own difficulties, reinforcing the view that setbacks are temporary and surmountable.