GOD MADE FEELINGS

Little readers learn about their feelings.

Feelings can influence behavior in unusual ways, and this board book shows little ones the cause-and-effect relationship feelings and actions may have. The faith-based nature of the board book positions God as the source of feelings, but the book’s larger interest lies in behavioral causes. For example, “When Jo feels happy, he jumps and leaps!” or “When Ava feels sad, she sometimes cries.” The animals are depicted in close-up on verso so readers can clearly see their expressions, and then medium shots of their actions are presented on the facing page. This technique emphasizes the importance of decoding facial expressions when determining a person’s feelings. The animals that exhibit feelings are suitably round and cuddly, colored in a soft, pastel palette. The final two pages contain resources for parents to help them talk to their children about feelings and faith.

A pleasant-enough introduction to feelings and how those feelings emerge.