ARE YOUR EMOTIONS LIKE MINE?
by Chitwan Mittal ; illustrated by Shruti Hemani
A girl chronicles her feelings in Mittal’s latest picture book.
An unnamed young narrator with an expressive face explains how her emotions go “up and down.” She describes what it’s like when she feels “excited” and “glad”; the illustration shows her happily playing with a large lion who appears in different forms, including in a painting on the wall, peeking through a window, and as a hand-held toy. The girl emphasizes instances of anger and sadness; in one image, she screams, surrounded by colorful scribbles and spilled art supplies. However, she recognizes that it’s important to withstand tough times and persevere. Because the world is “Beautiful and bright,” she chooses to “live each day, with my inner light.” Youngsters will relate to the main character’s experiences, such as feeling nervous before diving into a pool and proud after winning a trophy. The text neatly acknowledges the importance of honoring one’s feelings and recognizing their impact on one’s behavior. The story briefly touches on coping methods, showing how the girl relaxes by stargazing, breathing deeply, and sleeping well. Hemani’s illustrations feature bold colors, textured and patterned backdrops, and decorative details, such as hearts and line accents; they emphasize the girl’s moods, such as “intense” feelings, shown as a jumble of multicolored lines springing from her heart.
An enlightening introduction to emotional awareness.