Feelings

by Aliki

This classic picture book from beloved author-illustrator Aliki is a great way to explore feelings with younger kids, whether at home or in the classroom. Happy, sad, shy, excited—how do you feel? No matter the emotion, Feelings explores it—and helps children understand and express their own feelings. Best-selling author Aliki uses a child-friendly cartoon style to build empathy and awareness in young readers—and to help them find appropriate ways to handle their feelings. Short, funny comics show how children might feel in different situations—at a birthday party, when a beloved pet dies, on the first day of school, and more. A timeless classic ideal for sharing.  "Children often have difficulty articulating emotions. That fact is the underpinning for Aliki's catalog of feelings, be they happy, sad, or somewhere in between." — Booklist "A delightful book." — New York Times Book Review

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Parenting, School, Fiction, Emotion, Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Aliki has written and illustrated many books, both fiction and nonfiction, loved by readers throughout the world. The books were inspired by a word, an experience, or the desire to find out. Aliki lives in London, England.

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of “Reading Rainbow” as my bookshelf is stock full of “Reading Rainbow” books! One of my favorite stories to ever come out of “Reading Rainbow” was a children’s book called “Feelings” by Aliki! “Feelings” is definitely a brilliant book about describing different types of feelings from everyone that children will love for many years!

Basically, this book is just showcasing all different types of feelings such as anger, sadness, embarrassment and jealousy through illustrations and brief dialogue.

After reading this book as a child, I have always enjoyed the simple storytelling of detailing different emotions shown by many different children and even years later, I still loved this book to death! Aliki has done a brilliant job at both illustrating and writing this book as she details the different feelings shown by the many children shown in this book in a simple and vivid manner. Probably one of my most favorite feelings sections she had done in this book was called “Your Attention, Please,” which goes like this:

Parent: Look at Adam Run.
Girl: I can run faster.
Parent: Look at Adam Build.
Girl: I can build higher.
Parent: Listen to Adam.
Girl: Listen to me.
Parent: Adam can read.
Girl: I can read more.
Parent: Ha, ha, ha, ha! Adam is Funny!
Girl: Ha, ha, ha, ha! I am funny, too!
Parent: Where is Adam?
Girl: Where Am I?
Parent: Adam is Hurt!
Girl: I’m hurt, too.
Parent: Look at Adam!
Girl: Look at me!
Parent: I see you, dear. You’re wonderful.

I loved the way that Aliki made the writing so simple yet effective enough for small children to grasp how each character feels about a particular situation and how they are able to handle it whether their parents help them through the situation or they figure it out for themselves. I also loved the brief little sessions that each character would have with each other such as in the short story “How do you Feel?” where a girl and a boy were showing each other about the different feelings that are expressed. Aliki’s illustrations are truly marvelous to look at as the characters look extremely simplistic yet cute at the same and the colorings may seem a bit washed out but it really brings out the cuteness of this book.

Even though overall this is a really cute story that portrays the different emotions felt by each child, some parents might seem a bit disturbed at this one story where a girl named Elizabeth compliments Alicia’s beautiful curly hair, but her other friend Kate gets jealous and states, “Curly Hair? I’d…I’d…like to choke Alicia.” Some parents might get a bit disturbed at the idea about a child stating she wanted to choke another child, but luckily, she is never shown actually choking anyone and this was just showing the feelings of jealously and rage.

Overall, “Feelings” is a truly cute and thought-provoking children’s book about showing the different feelings of children that children will easily enjoy for many years! I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since some parents might be a bit upset at how the feelings “jealousy” and “rage” are portrayed.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A parent group in a nearby school district targeted this book. After review, a textbook committee in the school district allowed the book to continue being used for now, but said there was too much focus on negative and bad feelings and that it potentially contains “objectionable content.” They instructed teachers to instead focus on “positivity and gratitude” when reading the text.

My take: again, I’m confused about what is so objectionable. We all have feelings, including little children. Giving them language to describe those feelings, helping them understand that people experience all kinds of emotions, seems wonderful. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Pretending it is doesn’t help anyone.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short book on describing feelings to children. Emotions presented varied from bored, sad, scared, angry, to joy in a variety of situations. With much of the text in the bare minimum, it allows readers to feel the emotions through the images, presenting them on how to deal with their emotions.

[Lauren Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

After seeing this book recommended for preschool children I checked it out from the library. I’m very glad I didn’t buy it because honestly I can’t imagine reading this more than once. It has a bit of an off and disjointed format. I also believe it’s geared toward children a bit older maybe 6 and 7 versus preschool age. It’s a Reading Rainbow Book and to be honest I was surprised that we didn’t enjoy it. I recommend finding another title if you’re looking to explain and discuss emotions and feelings with young children.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of feelings to explore. It's too bad the pictures are so small - otherwise would be a great book to read to grade school kids to talk about emotions. JoCo library.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actually skipped reading this to the kids according to our Sonlight curriculum schedule, because I didn't appreciate it in my pre-read. It's weird.

[Margaret Tata · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a childhood favorite of mine and I recently revisited it and found that I still love it. The illustrations are simple yet evocative, each one a short story demonstrating at least one emotion or “feeling.” My one concern is that there isn’t a lot of compassion shown for children in the book who display negative emotions such as greed, jealousy, and anger. Particularly upsetting is the overweight little girl being called greedy, selfish, rude, and embarrassing by her peers for asking for another piece of cake. However, this particular story is all written as dialogue between children with no judgement put in by the narrator (a role somewhat filled by little birds in the margins), and therefore could be a good chance to discuss manners and tact with your child. Overall, I do think the book has value in its display of the many emotions children experience, what it looks like to work through those emotions, how situations affect emotions, and how emotions can affect behavior.

[Allison Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feelings, written and illustrated by Aliki, is a children's picture book that goes through different feelings every child has or will experience. The author's purpose of this book is to inform while also being entertaining for children. The book cover of this book is filled with different illustrations of a young boy showing many different emotions. I think this book would be perfect for an interactive read-aloud to students and afterward, there could be a discussion about what emotions they have felt and how we can learn to understand our emotions. This book is a must-read!

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was laid up with a fever after my second COVID vax, I pulled out a huge stack of children's books that I'd never read and let myself be comforted by the complicated simplicity of childhood. Well, I don't know how I've missed this one all my life, but it's a true classic - it encompasses pretty much the full span of human experience in a few dozen one-page cartoon meditations on the emotions that muddy up and clarify the world around us, not a single one of which I didn't relate to. The light touch of Aliki's humor and drawing belies the ambition of it - what a great book.

[Dorthe Svendsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vi skal ha om følelser i samfunnsfagen, og jeg fikk denne anbefalt. Litt skeptisk, siden den er laget året jeg ble født, og jeg lærte ikke å bli så godt kjent med mine grunnfølelser når jeg var barn. Men; her ble det scannet inn en del sider. Den er god på småbilder barna kan skrive historie til. Den er også veldig god på å forklare misunnelse på ulike måter, så det gleder jeg meg til å bruke som samtalestartere med ungene!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has way too much going on for any feelings to be properly discussed. My son listened and laughed a few times but at each page turn, my daughter kept suggesting a different book. It almost could have been broken down into a few different books - one for each feeling. I'm thinking there must be better books out there for covering this topic.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this for Preschoolers on up! My four year old boy and I got this from the library and he has asked me to read it at least five times. Sometimes I prompt him to tell me about what's happening on the page, sometimes I just read it slowly and let him bring up his own points. There are bonus panels in the book jacket.

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for kids, similar to a graphic novel and would be appropriate for pre-school to early elementary aged readers. Feelings such as jealousy, pride, and embarrassment are acted out in a comic strip manner which gives plenty of opportunity for discussion between the adult and child.

[Lale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favourite children's book from my own childhood. It's been a huge influence on my mind, as I remember or reference sentences from it almost daily. And a great influence - validating all sorts of feelings, never in a judgmental way.

[Rebecca Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book. This was recommended reading for a 5 year old on her school reading list. Because of small illustrations and print, I think it would have been better suited for a child a bit older. It did do a good job of covering all emotions.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a wide range of feelings in this book with various scenarios illustrated in the pictures. I think this would be a good book to talk through with any young child to put words to emotions they feel so that they can communicate them.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made my boy stop and think about things. Worth 5 stars just to see him realize he isn't alone and that he impacts people more than he thinks.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feelings can be hard to describe for some people. Here is a book that can help you share those thoughts and feelings.

[Rosibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that teaches kids about feelings with funny stories and fun stuff.

[Hamza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book very

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to discuss feelings with your lower level students and children. Good to teach them the many labels for different emotions not just happy and sad.

[Eton School Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a great use of illustration and typography in this book that helps the reader know exactly how the characters are feeling. A favorite.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit convoluted for little kids to grasp. Written in an odd way. Probably better for 8+

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the birds.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful - terrific illustrations and great demonstrations on feelings.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my #1 top favorite books as a child.

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visual and Fun way to get a discussion going with a child about feelings. Small letters and fonts would make it challenging for an elementary age student to read, though.

[Timothy Morrison]

Reminds me of noodles du jour

[Joyce T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid. It's still one of my favorite picture books today.

[Kayla Noffze · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated & not a good read. I changed a lot of the words as I was reading to my 4yr old. There are much better books about feelings to teach our littles emotional intelligence.