What is Me and My Feelings about?
Me and My Feelings is a kids’ guide to understanding emotions and learning healthy ways to express them. It explains common feelings and gives practical strategies kids can use at home, school, and with friends.
Who wrote Me and My Feelings?
Me and My Feelings is written by Vanessa Green Allen, MEd, NBCT, a professional school counselor.
What will a child learn from Me and My Feelings?
Kids learn that all feelings are normal, how to name what they’re feeling, and how to handle big emotions in healthier ways. The book also teaches that feelings come and go and aren’t the same as who you are.
Does this book help kids with anger, sadness, and anxiety?
Yes—there’s a full chapter of tips for when a child feels sad, angry, or anxious. Many of the strategies can also be used for other feelings like jealousy or fear.
Does Me and My Feelings explain the “six big emotions”?
Yes, it introduces six big emotions: happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust. It also expands into many more emotions using an emotions wheel.
What’s the difference between emotions and moods in this book?
The book explains that emotions are how your body reacts when things happen, and feelings can follow those emotions. It also describes moods as longer-lasting “good” or “bad” states and encourages kids to figure out why a bad mood is happening.
Is Me and My Feelings interactive, or is it just reading?
It’s interactive and includes activities like checklists, quizzes, and “choose the answer” exercises. It also includes “Express Yourself” and “Love Yourself” tips throughout.
What kinds of coping skills does the book teach?
It teaches practical skills like deep breathing, grounding, and calming routines. Examples include the 5-4-3-2-1 senses exercise and “Seven Steps to Calm.”
What are “Emotional Eddie” and “Thinking Thelma”?
They’re two characters used to explain how the brain reacts to feelings: an “emotional brain” that reacts quickly and a “thinking brain” that helps you pause and make better choices. The book teaches kids how to strengthen the “thinking brain” when emotions feel big.
Does the book help kids understand how feelings show up in the body?
Yes, it explains common body reactions like butterflies in the tummy, shaking, sweating, blushing, and crying. It also teaches kids what to do when those reactions happen, like focusing on breathing.
Will this book help with friendship and family problems?
Yes, it includes sections on feelings in friendships and family, including examples like jealousy, feeling left out, and feeling treated unfairly. It encourages kids to be specific about what’s bothering them and to listen to the other person’s side.
Does Me and My Feelings talk about school stress and worries?
Yes, it discusses how feelings affect school life, including loneliness, worry about schoolwork, and dealing with unkind classmates. It also encourages kids to talk to a teacher or school counselor when school doesn’t feel okay.
Can this book help a child who has negative thoughts like “I’m not good enough”?
Yes, it includes an activity that helps kids notice common negative thoughts and question whether they’re really true. It also encourages positive self-talk and using supportive character traits as reminders.
Does the book teach kids how to identify anger triggers?
Yes, it explains what “triggers” are and why they matter. It also teaches kids to notice body signals, use “Stop-Breathe-Think,” and choose a healthier response instead of reacting impulsively.
If my child struggles to talk about feelings, will this book help them find words?
Yes, it gives kids emotion vocabulary (from the six big emotions to many more) and prompts that help them describe what they feel and when. It also models simple phrases like saying “I’m feeling angry” instead of “I’m angry.”
