Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions

by Mike Wohnoutka

In a feel-good concept book, the Geisel Award–winning illustrator of See the Cat gives young children a vocabulary for naming—and managing—their emotions.

From delight to disgust, excitement to fear, worry to confidence, boredom to curiosity, feelings can shift in a heartbeat. Mike Wohnoutka’s simple words and tender, nuanced illustrations follow three young children as they traverse emotional highs and lows over the course of a school day. The wide spectrum of emotions covered—far beyond happy and sad—invites readers to share their own contradictory, unpredictable, ever-present feelings. Vetted by an expert in the science of children’s emotions, this day in the inner life of three kids encourages first steps toward emotional literacy and is a satisfying narrative that ends with the adorable trio converging after school in the park—ready for play!

Genres: Picture Books, Emotion, Mental Health, Childrens, Friendship

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experience the many emotional highs and lows over the course of one day at school for our little illustrated friends through simple words and pictures.

What a wonderful starting place for helping students articulate the many different feelings they have inside at any given moment. I thought the illustrations were perfectly paired with each emotion highlighted in the story and it leaves the door open for so many wonderful extension activities. Kids could make connections to the text when they have felt those same emotions or they could pick an emotion to illustrate and share how each of them draw it differently. I love the balance of highs and lows, underscoring the lesson that life is full of each.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic book with Mike Wohnoutka's darling illustrations, showing us the basic concepts of various emotions, mostly seen through a first day of school. The words are simple (usually a single word), matched with the emotions of the day, the ups and downs of every day. It is relatable and gives children the right words for dealing with and normalizing the ways they feel. And again, most adorable illustrations.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: UPS AND DOWNS: A BOOK OF EMOTIONS by Mike Wohnoutka, Candlewick, September 2023, 32p., ISVN: 978-1-5362-2737-6

"’By building kids' vocabulary for emotions, children learn to express their feelings, rather than acting out with misbehavior.’
By talking about emotions, parents can help even very young children recognize the feelings they're experiencing. There are many age-appropriate books, games and charts about feelings that can help – even starting with board books for babies and toddlers. These can help children find the right words to express and communicate their feelings.
– Children’s Health “Teaching Kids About Emotions”

“I said, ‘Show some emotion
Put expression in your eyes
Light up if you're feeling happy
But if it's bad then let those tears roll down’”
– Joan Armatrading (1977)

Books that depict feelings are so essential, so helpful in helping kids develop a vocabulary of emotions. This is an essential part of their building effective communication skills

“Relaxed
Stressed
Pleased
Jealous
Lonely
Hopeful”

In the upbeat picture book UPS AND DOWNS, author/illustrator Mike Wohnoutka puts names to more than two dozen feelings. They are accompanied by gouache illustrations depicting these emotions, featuring the book’s cast of young multicultural characters.

The book concludes on a high note–”Joyful!”--as a young trio goes charging harmoniously after a soccer ball.

I have the feeling that UPS AND DOWNS will be well-received by young audiences and will prove to be of great educational value in elementary and pre-K classrooms and libraries.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions by Mike Wohnoutka is a wonderful tool to help young children begin exploring emotional literacy. With its very simple text, and charming illustrations, this book introduces a variety of emotions in a way that is both accessible and engaging for the youngest learners. It follows a student throughout their school day. Each page features expressive characters that visually convey feelings making it easier for little ones to create connections with the names of feelings.

The illustrations do much of the storytelling, allowing children to "read" the emotions even before they fully grasp the words, further encouraging emotional recognition. Ups and Downs is a great fit for home or classroom libraries. Books like this open up gentle conversations about everyday experiences and support social-emotional growth.

[A Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with few words, which are sometimes the very best ones. Most of the pages only have one word, an emotion, and the page opposite that word has a vastly different emotion, such as "relaxed" and "stressed" sharing a spread. Throughout the book, Wohnoutka's illustrations successfully convey the characters' emotions and a story. For example, the character is "relaxed" when getting off the school bus, but becomes "stressed" and is running because the school bell is ringing. I appreciate that Wohnoutka depicts men playing an active role in the kids' lives, too; there is a dad with a camera and a "first day of school" sign on one page and on another page a male teacher is reading to the kids. I also like the soft color palette used in the illustrations. A character with a visible disability, a grandparent, or a woman wearing a hijab would have made the illustrations a bit more inclusive.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly simple but cute illustrations and one word a page match up as a cute picture dictionary, of sorts, to show various emotions. The facial expressions and body language do a great job of illustrating each emotion.

I think the illustrations are large enough to use with a small group, but the facial expressions may be somewhat lost if used with a larger one. This could be good to use in a storytime about emotions with a preschool or lower-elementary crowd. Since there's so little text, it could be a great title to do a lot of question-asking (How is this person showing their embarrassment? Why do you think this person is hopeful? Why do you think this big brother went from being annoyed to being flattered? What do you think flattered means?).

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ups and Downs allows young readers to see what emotions look like through gorgeous illustrations by the author. From lonely to hopeful and shy and awkward to friendly, children will recognize feelings they have and how to identify these feelings in other people.

The illustrations bring each feeling to life as Wohnoutka deftly handles tough feelings like disappointment as well as happy feelings like curious and joyful. This is a must have book for read for every young child. Ups and Downs would make a lovely gift for young readers and their families.

Highly, highly recommended. Ups and Downs will likely be in the running for children's book awards as Mike Wohnoutka is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner, and this gem of a book deserves mass recognition.

[Bookish Mama Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent for toddlers who need help expanding their emotional vocabulary. The pictures allow the kids to think through the words and their meaning. Often my almost three year old was able to deduce the word based on the illustration. We both really enjoyed working through each page and seeing not only emotions in play in every day situations but in opposing ways - hence, the ups and downs. Loved this one and it will become a staple in our cool down corner.

Thanks to CandleWick Press for this gifted copy!

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ups and Downs of our emotions are presented with simplicity in this wonderful early learner, that gives name to emotions and can introduce conversation to managing them. The accompanying illustrations are beautifully rendered and match perfectly with their emotion, so this is a great book for early readers and visual learners. In that way, it transcends language and focuses on facial expressions and how the body is held during emotion to give signals as to what is being expressed. I can see this being translated into countless languages and even becoming a multi-lingual presentation.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simply phrased in one-word at a time presentation with accompanying illustrations that are sweet and delightful, this broad ranged expression of a wide range of emotions that children encounter during their daily activities. One word, one emotion. Sometimes, one word and emotion that results in another word and emotion. Then the resolution of that emotion with a third word and emotion. But mostly a simple one word - one emotion presentation.

I love it!

I was given a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I love the illustrations

Next of all, I love all of the rare words and vocabulary that this book will introduce to children. It's simple (just one to two words on each page.) The illustrations are needed to help readers decipher what is going on (especially if the written word is one unfamiliar to them). But it is utterly fabulous for all of these reasons and more.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book includes a demonstration of many emotions such as relaxed, lonely, and embarrassed. This can be used to teach children that everyone experiences different emotions and it is normal to have ups and downs with how you are feeling. Great illustrations!

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see this on a clel bell list and think it may prove very useful particularily for the Clel Bell ages. I know we are only supposed to compare or comment with books on this years list and I would not discourage any use of this,.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

With its contrasting emotions on each spread, Wohnoutka successfully shows that feelings aren't forever and our days can be full of ups and downs. What an essential thing for children to learn!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is suitable for situations in which emotions need expression or clarification, especially in therapeutic settings, but the lack of a story makes for a rather boring read-aloud. Cute illustrations more or less depict the intended emotion.

[Peaches & Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, expressive, beautiful illustrations. Text is mostly one-word emotions underneath an illustration of a situation that aligns with the emotion. Covers a lot of ground this way (a lot of different emotions), but doesn’t describe emotions in words.

[Kelly]

This is a sweet book about opposite emotions.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

No good for a readaloud, but it would be good to discuss the illustrations and really think about what each character is feeling, why, and a time the reader could relate.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

themes: emotions, opposites

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

The simplest of books but well done.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most pages have two contrasting emotions named and illustrated in a situation.
A couple of the situations might need a bit of explanation for the younger set.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple text and bright clear illustrations features opposites of emotions with kids acting them out. preschool and up

[Ms. Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just too short for storytime.

[Y.Poston]

a very sweet exploration of emotions,
this edition lets the images drive understanding
with one word supporting understanding

[Jessica Strait · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the most amazing paper. So smooth and soft.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple introduction to emotions for younger children that will help them articulate the many different feelings they experience in the course of a day.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple book perfect for toddlers.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would probably work best for a kindergarten library lesson. It is quite basic, but the illustrations provide enough to use as a springboard for questions and conversations about feelings.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super simple book about emotions. It kept my toddler engaged the whole time, and I loved that each page spread had the opposite emotion with it.