The Way I Feel

written and illustrated by Janan Cain

This fun book is colorful and great to read to kids. It is wonderfully illustrated with large faces depicting different emotions. While reading it you can ask questions about the different feelings seen in the book.

We like this book because it not only helps kids verbalize and talk about their feelings, but because it also helps them with their reading and language skills. Through language, children have a better wat to interact with the world around them. Emotions are an important aspect of the world and this book helps give kids the language they need to better communicate with those in their world. The author's hope for this book is that "with language, children will be better equipped to understand and express their feelings."

Her suggestions in reading this book to kids are:

1) Ask your child/children what circumstances make him or her feel happy, sad, jealous, and so on.

2) Discuss how to deal with emotions. ("If you're angry, it's not Okay to hit or throw things, but it is okay to stomp your feet....If you're sad, tell someone how you feel and ask for what you need.")

3) Talk about what actions or steps could be taken to change the circumstances leading to a feeling your child doesn't like.

4) Practice noticing and naming feelings by asking your child how he or she feels at different times throughout the day. Discuss the differences in emotions that may seem similar, such as sad and bored, jealous and mad, or happy and excited.