Emotions are an interesting thing. And recently I read two picture books that dealt with them in different, but equally well presented ways. Both books are available, but I read them via an online reader’s copy.
“Is that a seven or a chicken?” Worry asks in Max and the Purple Worry. Well if Max does math the way I do? It is a chicken. And like Max, I worried about my math work, too. The numbers (or me) didn’t run away, but I wanted to. But unlike Max, my worry didn’t grow into a purple meerkat-like animal, that kept the worries circling. And Kitty Black shows us how Max (and you) can overcome the worries in relatable situations and text. The artwork of Jess Rose adds to this with fun, simple (but not simplistic) illustrations that are colorful and let you focus on what is needed. There is also a small extra section for the adult to understand more and to help the child.
In a more serious format, Sometimes When I’m Jealous gives us the emotion of jealousy. There are several extras at the end that can be useful for adults to help in these situations. But the main story is about a young child and how each emotion that comes with feeling jealousy is explained by a different adult in his family. He is jealous when X happens so he might act out or cry, or stomp. And each person lets him know it is okay, but also how can you change that feeling. Deborah Serani’s text is complemented by softer, easy illustrations that set an older feeling to things, but allows it to be almost any age. Kyra Teis’s illustrations also leave room for interpretation and putting it into your own situation.