The Way I Feel
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By Janan Cain
Children's book review by P.J. Rooks
(P.J. blogs at Tell It Again Tales.)
Ages 2+
Right now, I am happy. But, you know, in ten minutes or so when you come around and tell me that I've got to get out of my pajamas and actually get dressed and act like a human for the day, well, look out! I don’t want to get dressed! I'm going to throw stuff! And I'm going to scream! And I'll rant and kick! You just wait! You have no idea how wild I can be! I'll be so… so… uh… something.
What's the word? What's the word?
Could your little one use some help here? Janan Cain has just the thing.
The Way I Feel is, hands down, the best exploration of emotions that we've ever found. Cain covers a wide range including silly, scared, disappointed, happy, sad, angry, thankful, frustrated, shy, bored, excited, jealous and proud, and -- whew! -- gives kids a handle on some extremely helpful vocabulary. Not that they always use it correctly, of course, (my own daughter is fond of saying "I'm brave of that!") but it sure does help.
In The Way I Feel, Janan Cain's vivid illustrations and jaunty rhymes get right to the point and are very easy to understand.
"Silly is the way I feel when I make a funny face
and wear a goofy, poofy hat that takes up lots of space," says one cross-eyed kid under a huge, whimsical hat with lots of google-eyed tentacles. An angry, fiery-haired person glowers from within a lightning bolt in an all-red page and later, one proud kid who has just dressed herself is pleased as punch in a hyperbolic skirt of pink, blue and green, mismatched boots and prison-striped shorts, just for starters.
A work-from-home graphic designer and illustrator, it took Janan Cain the better part of two years to put The Way I Feel
Webmaster's note: This website offers a special set of books to help you and your child deal with emotions and behaviors.
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