Big Book of Feelings

The Big Book of Feelings is a quirky take on the usual feelings books we come across for young readers in children’s non-fiction. Each page features an animal, alongside a fact about them, and then a scenario plays out in speech bubbles to illustrate the feeling of choice. For example, ‘upset’ features a moose who is being reassured by a puffin that the chocolate mousse in front of him is not his long-lost uncle. It’s perfect child-friendly humour and gives them an amusing example of the feeling in question- plus they get a bonus animal fact too! I think the use of examples rather than definitions works well to give young readers a relatable demonstration of the feelings that they can discuss with others.

In terms of the illustrations, each page works like single comic book panel, telling its story in one image. These images have been created using potato printing and bright paints. Despite the simplicity of this method the illustrations are expressive, and the animals are easily recognisable. They may not be to all readers taste but they fit the topic and the tone of the book perfectly. The overall style and humour reminded me of a Jon Klassen picture book.

It will have uses both in the classroom and at home and would particularly make a good book to share as a class or with others who share the same sense of humour.