A Book of Feelings
ISBN13
9781406355994
Review published
01/12/2015
By Reviewer
Fiona
Star Rating
By Author / Illustrator
Amanda McCardie illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino
Age range(s)
5+
Review
A Book of Feelings features Sam and Kate with their dog Fuzzy Bean. The book explores the different feelings the children experience in their young lives. The first feeling explored is what makes the children feeling happy and many children will relate to the reason: a cuddle, a story, a game in the park. Each of these experiences is accompanied by delightful Salvatore Rubbino illustration, which are expressive and colourful. However, after a few pages of happy experiences the reader is confronted with Sam and Kate feeling unhappy and in fact feeling decidedly grumpy. Here we see Kate taking something that belongs to Sam, an argument occurs and neither child apologizes. Throughout the book a range of feelings are covered: embarrassment, shyness, being frightened and sadness when Kate's teacher leaves. Each of the different feelings is accompanied by a short thoughtful explanation. For instance when discussing crying, the text reads: 'People who are sad don't always cry. Crying doesn't always mean people feel sad, either. Some people (mostly grown-ups) cry when they are happy.' These little snippets would be a very good starting point for a discussion with a child or group of children. Throughout this book of feelings a story is interwoven about the family and Sam and Kate's relationship. Overall the book would open up interesting discussions about feelings and how to cope with negative ones.
