When I Feel Good about Myself

The Way I Feel

by Cornelia Maude Spelman, Kathy Parkinson (Illustrator)

I feel good about myself. Somebody loves me just as I am. I don't have to look like anyone else, be the same size, or do the same things. It's fine to be me. This book offers children positive and upbeat examples about being themselves. The author portrays a very young guinea pig and friends feeling good about themselves through common situations readers will relate to. Together, the text and art will foster self-esteem and independence.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Animals, Self Esteem

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Cornelia Maude Spelman, MSW, is a writer, artist, and former therapist. Her “The Way I Feel” picture books for children have sold over four million copies and been translated into eleven languages. Her new book A FOOT IS NOT A FISH! helps parents have fun while showing their children that it is not hard to see what is true and what is not, using absurd comparisons that will amuse every child—and parent.


SOLACE, a memoir, is about marriage, mothering, addiction, grief and friendship, and how listening can heal. Oo

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood]

This is part of a series of books to help small children deal with their emotions, or some nonsense shit like that. Quite frankly, I've no idea what his book was trying to do.

Far as I'm concerned, if I was a guinea pig, I'd feel pretty good about myself, too. It sucks being an old, ugly, cock-eyed human.

I checked this book out at the Internet Archive because of the artwork. There's not many books with decent illustrations of guinea pigs out there. Although these were anthropomorphic, they still looked like guinea pigs, albeit with slightly longer legs. And guinea pigs will often let you dress them up in little human clothes, because their initial reaction to strange new things is to freeze. Just check out A Guinea Pig Pride and Prejudice by Alex Goodwin and Tess Newall to see just how great piggies can be at modeling.

Anyway, there aren't just guinea pigs here. There are cats, mice, dogs and bunnies. Lots of bunnies. I know this is a fantasy for kids, but please DO NOT let real guinea pigs get anywhere near cats, mice, dogs or bunnies. Especially bunnies. It's a common misconception that guinea pigs and rabbits can live together. They can't. The rabbits usually end up bullying, injuring and killing the guinea pigs.

As to a story, there isn't any. It's just a series of positive affirmations for little kids, basically. The art tells more of a story than the text. Ignore the text. Just enjoy the whimsical art.

[Yelania Nightwalker]

Una de las razones por las cuales leo libros infantiles, es para poder después recomendarlos a mis familiares, amigos; o por qué no, para saber qué libros leerle a mis futuros hijos. Por eso, aún con su sencillez, este cuento me ha gustado mucho. Para empezar, hay una nota de la autora donde nos explica un poco sobre el libro y cómo se desarrolla la autoestima de nuestros chiquitines. Realmente me pareció genial que se incluyera y ya con eso, la autora tenía varios puntos ganados conmigo.

Otra cosa digna de reconocerse, son las ilustraciones. Muchos libros infantiles tienen unas ilustraciones que son muy raras o simplemente bonitas, pero las que ha hecho Kathy Parkinson tienen una delicadeza, suavidad, ternura... no sé cómo definirlas porque me generan un sentimiento de maravilla cada vez que los veo, son preciosas.

Respecto a la historia... Se trata de un cuento con autoafirmaciones, para que los pequeños, a través de su lectura vayan reconociendo ciertas cosas de las que les suceden en su día a día y lo comprendan e interioricen de la mejor manera. Creo que cada frase está bien pensada y bien colocada en la historia que se nos cuenta que da para mucho. Porque bien puede leerse como está, pero permite además que los padres o quien esté leyéndolo con el niño, vaya introduciendo otras enseñanzas, otras historias, que permitan la reflexión de sucesos que haya tenido el niño en su vida diaria...

Al final, sólo me queda decir que Cuando me siento bien conmigo mismo es un cuento que deja muchas enseñanzas, es una historia que puede leerse varias veces y que deja abierta la posibilidad para trabajar las emociones con los pequeños y por qué no, la de uno mismo. Me han quedado ganas de leer otros libros de Cornelia Maude Spelman. This review was originally posted on Book's Minion

[Tricia]



Thanks for filling out this form: Adult Winter Reading 2026 Book Review Form



Title of Book/Audiobook *

When I feel good about myself

Author of Book/Audiobook *

Cornelia spelman

What is your review of the book? *

Very simple book and to the point. Not too long so you can discuss if want or just get the point across that you are great how you are and are better than anyone else..no just kidding. You are great being you because you aren't like anyone else. And you should focus on feeling good about yourself. This should be read to all children, not just when they feel down. So that they get the reinforcement and it's ok to be different, make mistakes etc. Why wait until they are singled out to work on this and make it worse? Maybe consider showcasing books like these so parents and teachers consider to start reading them early not just waiting for a problem to arise. There is a note for parents and teachers when you open the book right away. Sometimes, the storytelling books don't always get the message across to a child right away. They have to learn to comprehend and break apart a story as they grow. This is direct. All children are born to learn. Great mindset for all to have. libraries maybe should showcase books like these up on the shelf or in pamphlets for parents and teachers in some way as an educational guide. a tepping stone to point parents in a direction to build a foundation. they say children don't come with a manual. someone took the time to write, edit and publish a simple book. May turn out to be a simple guide.

[Antonia]

A children's book about feeling good and confident about you as a whole. Great advice, easy read for children and it may have an impact and help a child understand how useless it is to be compared or compare himself to others. Everyone has a unique and important personality and it should be celebrated.

[Doris Lucas]

This book is about feeling good about yourself. It shows what they need to do in order build confidence and self-esteem. It also shows ways of accomplishing the goal. I think this book is great for all ages groups, but I would use this book in a kindergarten or first-grade class. I would use this in a social/emotion center for students.

[Molly]

A young guinea pig gives examples of what things she does that make her feel good about herself. This is a cute picture book that can help kids learn about feelings.

[Karyn Grasse]

This is a great series of books, I will be getting more of them!

[Aneesa]

So gosh darn cute.

[D Fichera]

Cute family and story lines that can be repeated with the same characters.

[Maritina Mela]

*4.75/5

Review coming soon

[Luisa Malicki]

estava na estante da escola e li com minhas amigas, não tem muito oq falar mas achei muito bonitinho

[Mercedes Biggs]

I love this book because as young as they are feeling good about what they do and about themselves relate to confidence and self-esteem. It also builds thier ways of accomplishing many things because they kow they can do it.self-esteem allows them to feel proud and and be successful in most things they do.


learning experience- i would have hats same color, same size, same style and have each child put on the hat, after putting on the hat i would have each child take a look at themselves in the mirror and explain to me and the class what they see in that mirror. each child will most likely have an different answer. after each class explains i would then explain that just because everyone is wearing the same hat doesnt mean that everyone is the same.

[Iman Tabbaa]

This book is about a mouse who accepts herself the way she is. she loves herself and feels accepted by others just being her. Even if she doesn't always win, things get hard, or when she makes a mistake she just tries again.

I would use this story when working on social and emotional development. This book uses short and simple words to identify feelings and express them. Whether itis positive or negative the character in this book is able to handle her emotions and keep a positive self-image. This would be a good circle time book and a great way to get children discussing what they love about theirselves.

[Sabrina Henry]

When I feel Good About Myself teaches children about their emotions. It helps them to understand social and emotional characters. This book also can be used to help young children build their self-esteem.
I like it too because it was a quick read and it has cheerful and colorful characters.

[Suzanne]

I've been collecting all these Cornelia Spelman books about feelings for the library. They are good for guidance class or other classroom discussions with younger students about dealing with feelings appropriately (or even identifying feelings).

[Purl Scout]

a great book to help sensitive children learn to deal with difficult emotions and still come out of the experience feeling good about themselves.

[Michael]

Story line was good, illustrations also. The "Note to Parents and Teachers" was insightful. Only problem I had with the book is the word "self-esteem" that showed up in the aforementioned note.

[Tara]

Part of "The way I feel books" series. They are all great and I used them regularly in social work