Book Reviews Handling Big Emotions
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The familiar smell of your mother is something you never want to fade. When a young boy wakes up to the devastating reality that his mother has died, he feels a crushing wave of sadness, anger, and panic. Desperate to keep her memory close, he shuts all the windows in the house to trap her scent and picks at a scrape on his knee just to hear her comforting voice in his head again. He struggles to connect with his grieving father, feeling entirely alone in his heavy emotions. It takes a visit from his understanding grandmother to help him realize that love leaves a mark far deeper than a fading scent. This deeply moving narrative captures the intense loneliness of childhood grief while offering a tender, hopeful path toward healing and remembrance.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
Halloween should be all costumes, candy, and fun, but Posey knows that Halloween can also be a little scary. Her first-grade class is planning a party, and trick-or-treating is coming soon. Then Miss Lee announces that the class will eat monster stew, and Posey's excitement turns into worry. What exactly goes into monster stew? And what if the party is more spooky than fun? With her sparkly tutu nearby, Posey tries to face the kind of fear that can sneak up even during a celebration. This friendly early chapter book is a sweet Halloween story for readers who like gentle scares, classroom adventures, and characters who learn that being nervous does not have to spoil the fun.
6-8 Years
96 Pages
Edgar's bad mood begins as something really small, hardly a thing at all. But instead of fading away, it begins to grow. It gathers pace, picks up strength, and soon his terrible mood is spreading through the entire town like a swirling storm. What started as a minor grumble transforms into a massive physical force that sweeps up everything in its path. Now Edgar must figure out how to confront his overwhelming feelings and clear the air. Can he find a way to sweep his towering troubles away before they take over completely? This beautifully illustrated story provides a gentle and uplifting look at how quickly emotions can spiral out of control. It is a wonderful exploration of recognizing big feelings and learning how to let them go.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
The forest is full of familiar routines when you spend your days sitting on an old stump with your best friend. Squirrel and Pock the mushroom love taking the path down to the yellow meadow just to listen to the beautiful song of the blackbird. But one afternoon, the meadow is entirely silent. Searching the path, the two friends discover the little bird lying completely still on the ground. Certain that the bird is just taking a very deep nap, they sit down quietly to wait for it to wake up. This gentle, quiet moment leads to a profound realization about the natural cycle of the woods. It is a tender, softly humorous exploration of how we first encounter and understand the delicate balance of life and loss.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Jean longs to play the banjo more than anything else in the world. The only trouble is his imaginary friend, the Django, who keeps getting him into massive amounts of trouble. The Django is fun and exciting, but his constant mischief makes life very difficult. Finally, Jean has to make the tough decision to send his chaotic friend away. Without the Django, the house is much quieter, but Jean misses his infectious enthusiasm terribly. Everything changes when Jean's father gives him a real banjo of his own. As Jean begins to strum the strings, he discovers something wonderful. He rediscovers the joy and passion for music that the Django first gave him. Inspired by the life of famous jazz musician Jean Django Reinhardt, this beautifully told story explores the magic of music, the power of a wild imagination, and the lasting gifts our friends leave behind.
6-8 Years
22 Pages
By
Marne Ventura, Ventura, Marne, Stone Arch Books, and A Capstone Imprint
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Pictures by
Leo Trinidad and Trinidad, Leo
Adam is a talented fourth grader who would much rather be drawing amazing pictures in his sketchbook or playing sports outside than sitting at a desk. Because Adam is dyslexic, he has to work extra hard to learn how to read and write. When the teacher announces that it is time for the Big Test at school, Adam becomes a nervous wreck. The upcoming test involves writing a long essay, and even when Adam knows all the right answers, taking tests makes him freeze up. He starts to worry that he might fail, have to repeat the fourth grade, or that his classmates will think he is not smart. Luckily, Adam has a great support system. He turns to his three closest friends in their special club, the Worry Warriors. With their encouragement, Adam works to conquer his test anxiety, discover his own strengths, and prove just how smart he truly is.
Disability Representation
Emotions
Friendship
Problem Solving
Schools
Chapter Books
Handling Big Emotions
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
Nine year old Estella Garcia dreams of growing up to be a famous and glamorous movie star. She absolutely loves attention, but right now, she is feeling extremely nervous. She finally convinced her parents to let her go to her very first sleepover party! The party is at the home of a new fourth grade girl named Brittany, and the theme is art. Art is definitely not Estella's strongest skill, and she starts worrying about everything. Will she miss her younger siblings too much? Will the other girls want to stay up late and tell scary stories? What if she is the only girl there who has never been to a slumber party before? To calm her fears, she calls on her three best friends. Together, the Worry Warriors help Estella overcome her anxiety so she can pack her overnight bag, step out of her comfort zone, and ace her first big sleepover.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
Jake Williams has a big goal. He wants to earn enough money running errands to buy an awesome digital robot. But his money making plans hit a snag when he gets cast as King Midas in the third grade school play. Playing a king who turns everything to gold sounds cool, but it takes up all of his free time. Even worse, Jake is absolutely terrified of performing in front of a crowd. He is worried that he will forget his lines, embarrass himself, or even trip and fall right off the stage! Thankfully, Jake does not have to face his stage fright completely on his own. He turns to the Worry Warriors, a special club he formed with his three best friends. Together, they are ready to help Jake conquer his nerves, learn his lines, and shine in the spotlight.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
97 Pages
Chris loves his long and curly hair, so it hurts when his classmates start teasing him about it. Unsure of what to do, he looks deeply into his mirror for some answers. Suddenly, something wonderfully wild happens. A wise lady appears right inside the glass, offering words of encouragement that make him feel as powerful as a king.
Empowered by her advice, Chris takes his newfound confidence to school. But when he starts acting a little too much like a royal ruler, he realizes he might need one more visit to his magical mirror. This uplifting story is a vibrant reminder to look beyond simple hairstyles and focus on the person inside. It will inspire you to stand tall, embrace your unique style, and celebrate everyone for exactly who they are.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
You are standing at the edge of the pool, and the diving board looks incredibly high. Jabari knows he is ready to jump. He passed his swim test and finished all his lessons, so there is nothing to be scared of at all. But as he watches the other kids splash into the water, he decides he might need to figure out his special jump first. Or maybe he needs to do a few more stretches. When his dad gives his hand a gentle squeeze, Jabari squeezes right back. Sometimes, even when you are perfectly prepared, taking that big leap can feel like the hardest thing in the world. Join Jabari and his encouraging dad as they figure out how to be brave together. Taking a deep breath and facing your fears is a big step, but the splash at the end is completely worth it.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
A Story about Turning Frowns Upside Down
Big Bird is having one of those days when everything feels wrong. He is not quite sure what to call the heavy, mixed-up feeling inside him, and that makes the day seem even harder.
With help from Elmo and other Sesame Street friends, Big Bird begins to notice and name his emotions. Is he sad? Disappointed? Worried? This gentle story in rhyme gives young readers a comforting way to think about bad moods, big feelings, and the small steps that can help when a day goes sideways.
Friendly, reassuring, and easy to share aloud, Big Bird's Big Bad Day works especially well for children learning that feelings can be confusing, but they can also be understood.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Luna knows pet magic can help with many everyday troubles. But when her human girl, Harper, receives very sad news, this problem feels different.
Harper's grandmother has passed away, and Luna wants more than anything to make her feel better. She tries to cheer Harper up, but nothing seems to work. Could a Misery be causing the sadness, or is this the kind of feeling that cannot simply be chased away with a spell?
This illustrated Pet Magic chapter book handles grief in a gentle, child-friendly way while keeping the series' warm fantasy world of magical dogs. It is a thoughtful choice for young readers who like animal stories, emotional honesty, and comforting adventures.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
90 Pages
