I’m Happy-Sad Today: Making Sense of Mixed-Together Feelings (Hardcover)
This friendly picture book helps young children make sense of mixed-up emotions.
Happy, and also sad. Excited, but nervous too. Feeling friendly, with a little shyness mixed in. Mixed feelings are natural, but they can be confusing. There are different kinds of happy—the quiet kind and the “noisy, giggly, jump and run” kind. And there are conflicting feelings, like proud and jealous, frustrated and determined. With gentle messaging and charming illustrations, a little girl talks about her many layered feelings, ultimately concluding, “When I have more than one feeling inside me, I don’t have to choose just one. I know that all my feelings are okay at the same time.” A special section for adults presents ideas for helping children explore their emotions, build a vocabulary of feeling words, know what to do if they feel overwhelmed, and more.
Happy, and also sad. Excited, but nervous too. Feeling friendly, with a little shyness mixed in. Mixed feelings are natural, but they can be confusing. There are different kinds of happy—the quiet kind and the “noisy, giggly, jump and run” kind. And there are conflicting feelings, like proud and jealous, frustrated and determined. With gentle messaging and charming illustrations, a little girl talks about her many layered feelings, ultimately concluding, “When I have more than one feeling inside me, I don’t have to choose just one. I know that all my feelings are okay at the same time.” A special section for adults presents ideas for helping children explore their emotions, build a vocabulary of feeling words, know what to do if they feel overwhelmed, and more.
Lory Britain, Ph.D., has more than forty years of experience working with children, teachers, and families. Her background includes time in the classroom as a preschool teacher; helping found therapeutic child and family programs; teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in early childhood education; and presenting at state, national, and international conferences for professionals who work with young children. In addition to this work, Dr. Britain has written many children’s books that help kids stay safe and express their feelings and ideas. She also takes her therapy dog, Puppet, to visit children in hospitals and schools. Lory lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Matthew Rivera is an award-winning illustrator from Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in fine arts, then moved to Los Angeles where he worked as an art director for agencies, large corporations, and toy companies. Now he makes art and writes stories for kids! He is happiest making art, eating French fries, and exploring his city. Visit him at matthewdidit.com.
Matthew Rivera is an award-winning illustrator from Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s in fine arts, then moved to Los Angeles where he worked as an art director for agencies, large corporations, and toy companies. Now he makes art and writes stories for kids! He is happiest making art, eating French fries, and exploring his city. Visit him at matthewdidit.com.
An ideal way to help kids develop their emotional intelligence.
— The Oregonian
“Feeling scared and perhaps excited at the same time? No worries—it’s okay to be scited. Children will learn to identify nuanced emotions in this fun and engaging book.”
— Foreword Reviews
“This book brings to life a little-acknowledged aspect of the complex world of children’s social and emotional development: the experience of multiple emotions. The children’s story speaks directly to children in respectful, straightforward, and loving ways, exploring the many facets of emotions that will resonate with children. The Guide for Caring Adults will help adults understand, support, and extend the experience for children. All children—and the adults who care for them—need this book as an important support for navigating the everyday and out-of-the-ordinary experiences that we are faced with throughout our lives.”
— Christine Chaillé, Ph.D., professor emeritus and author of early childhood curriculum books
“This is not only an utterly delightful book in every way, but an important book. Dr. Britain joyfully affirms for young children that their complex, mixed up, and sometimes conflicting feelings are valid, real, and normal. Adults are gently guided to support these emotions and everyone’s mental health is the better for it!”
— Steffen Saifer, Ed.D., author of HOT Skills: Developing Higher-Order Thinking in Young Learners
“Being an incredible advocate for children has been Lory’s lifelong passion over the thirty years that I have known her. She is a natural when it comes to helping kids understand and express feelings. This book is also a gift for parents seeking to validate their children’s inner experiences and promote close trusting relationships.”
— Dr. Charlotte Peterson, child psychologist and author of The Mindful Parent: Strategies from Peaceful Cultures to Raise Compassionate, Competent Kids
— The Oregonian
“Feeling scared and perhaps excited at the same time? No worries—it’s okay to be scited. Children will learn to identify nuanced emotions in this fun and engaging book.”
— Foreword Reviews
“This book brings to life a little-acknowledged aspect of the complex world of children’s social and emotional development: the experience of multiple emotions. The children’s story speaks directly to children in respectful, straightforward, and loving ways, exploring the many facets of emotions that will resonate with children. The Guide for Caring Adults will help adults understand, support, and extend the experience for children. All children—and the adults who care for them—need this book as an important support for navigating the everyday and out-of-the-ordinary experiences that we are faced with throughout our lives.”
— Christine Chaillé, Ph.D., professor emeritus and author of early childhood curriculum books
“This is not only an utterly delightful book in every way, but an important book. Dr. Britain joyfully affirms for young children that their complex, mixed up, and sometimes conflicting feelings are valid, real, and normal. Adults are gently guided to support these emotions and everyone’s mental health is the better for it!”
— Steffen Saifer, Ed.D., author of HOT Skills: Developing Higher-Order Thinking in Young Learners
“Being an incredible advocate for children has been Lory’s lifelong passion over the thirty years that I have known her. She is a natural when it comes to helping kids understand and express feelings. This book is also a gift for parents seeking to validate their children’s inner experiences and promote close trusting relationships.”
— Dr. Charlotte Peterson, child psychologist and author of The Mindful Parent: Strategies from Peaceful Cultures to Raise Compassionate, Competent Kids
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