HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Animals experience all the feels.

Using concise, repetitive wording, this striking book covers a range of sentiments, from simple (“feeling safe”) to complex (“feeling connected”). A quizzical, large-eyed lemur is “curious”; alone in a nighttime forest, a small bear clutching a lovey is “anxious.” Against a background of daisies, a squirrel, eyes blissfully shut, holds paws with a smiling mouse, both indubitably “feeling happy.” A similar squirrel is “feeling guilty” for not sharing. We don’t know what irked them, but three defiant iguanas are clearly “offended.” Cleverly, a long, “impatient” line forms behind an elephant at an ice-cream stand; on the next page the viewpoint rotates 180 degrees so we can look over the fox vendor’s shoulder at the “undecided” pachyderm. In the most dramatic close-up, a golden-eyed owl is magisterially “annoyed.” Some words will be easily recognizable by little ones, like sad, scared, alone, or shy; to illustrate this last one, a baby bear presses against a trusted grown-up as a looming hippo tries to say hello. More difficult words are included, too; young children surely might feel but be unable to name anticipation and apprehensive. Among the other emotions covered are “contented,” “bored,” “triumphant,” “queasy,” “comforted,” “brave,” “unique,” “playful,” “protected,” “excluded,” “furious,” “touched,” “sick,” and “everything.” The brilliant, evocative woodcutlike illustrations are wonderfully expressive—these spreads would look beautiful as wall art. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A delightful guide to essential feelings.