The Way I Feel by Janan Cain

Short Summary

The Way I Feel by Janan Cain is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children recognise, label, and talk about their emotions. With simple text and engaging visuals, this book makes it easier for parents to start conversations about feelings. I used to read this one with my own kids, and it’s still a favourite for many families.

Age Group

Suitable for children aged 4 to 8 years.

Topics Discussed

Feelings | Prevent Sexual Abuse

Buy a Copy

Buy a copy of The Way I Feel by Janan Cain from Amazon.

What this book is about

• The Way I Feel is written and illustrated by Janan Cain, and it has remained popular since it was first published.
• The book explores a wide range of emotions – from feeling silly, shy, and excited to being sad, scared, angry, and frustrated. It even includes positive emotions like being thankful and proud.
• Each feeling is explained through short, simple text and accompanied by colourful, expressive illustrations that kids can easily relate to.
• It reassures children that feelings come and go, which is an important lesson for building emotional resilience.
• At the back of the book, there are notes for parents with tips on how to use the story to talk about emotions with kids.
• Reading it together is a lovely way to help children recognise their own feelings, understand that everyone experiences emotions, and find words to talk about them.
• A handy parenting tip: let your child pick one book they love, and then you sneak in another one (like this) to cover important topics. It’s a simple way to build emotional literacy without it feeling forced.
• This book sits alongside many other wonderful titles about feelings, but it remains a classic and a great starting point for young children.

I hope you find this book review helpful!

Happy talking!
❤️ Cath