The Feelings Book – For Early Readers

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr is a great book for early readers around 3 years of age. The Feelings Book features bright colours and simple yet eye-catching illustrations. These illustrations are of many people of many genders and skin colours making the book diverse and inclusive. Each page features simple text that always begins with “Sometimes I feel…”. This repetition is engaging for early readers as it promotes phonological sensitivity and awareness. The Feelings Book also promotes development of expressive vocabulary as it talks about emotions, feeling cranky or crying for instance, and more simple thoughts like enjoying bath time.

The Feelings Book would be considered a ‘complex concept’ book as it deals with emotions; this gives parents and care takers the opportunity to discuss the child’s feelings and ask them both open-ended and specific questions. “Sometimes I feel like trying something new”, is a great way to ask children if they like trying new things and what kind of new things they like to try. “Sometimes I feel lonely”, is a place to ask a child ‘why do you think the fish feels lonely?’ or ‘do you ever feel lonely?’. The Feelings Book also encourages movement and interaction. “Sometimes I feel like dancing” is an opportunity to dance around for a minute with the child. “Sometimes I feel like yelling really loud” gives the child a free pass on shouting with glee for a moment.

The Feelings Book does an excellent job of engaging early readers through its appearance, subject matter, vocabulary and the way it fosters open discussion with young children. This makes The Feelings Book a great choice for a parent or care taker to read to young children.