When I feel ANGRY and When I feel HAPPY, illustrated by Paula Bowles

 I will always love Child's Play for their diverse board books; they were the first I ever found that featured toddlers and young children with visible disabilities. They also do more abstract illustrated titles, but I've had mixed feelings about those, so I decided to preview this series before purchasing the rest of it.

Both books feature vaguely anthropomorphic monster/animal figures, featuring the ones shown on the covers. The text is basic statements, like "Sometimes I feel angry!" and "When I feel happy, I want to float like bubbles and swing higher and higher!" The Happy character is largely alone, showing the different ways to express happiness. The Angry character is shown frightening and upsetting other, similarly fluffy monster-like creatures, by throwing blocks and yelling. In the Angry story, the creature "take[s] time to breathe" and "think nice thoughts" and then settles in to peacefully read with the others.

There is no author listed, but the back cover gives credit to Kathryn Lester, a lecturer in developmental psychology, for her advice. The stated intentions of the book are to help young children verbalize their feelings and give "coping strategies where relevant." They are, necessarily, simple and follow a familiar layout for Child's Play books, a large square (7x7") with 7 thin but sturdy cardboard pages.

I like the approach, especially the nongendered characters, but at the same time I am always doubtful about books, especially for young children, that illustrate emotion but don't use photographs or human faces. Will a child really relate to a furry orange monster with snaggle teeth or a yellow bunny-like creature with turquoise glasses perched on its head? However, this is very common in books for toddlers, and children in general.

Verdict: This set might not be the best choice for neurodivergent or more literal children, especially infants or very young toddlers, but it does a good job of what it sets out to do - give young children words to voice their feelings. If you are looking for more social-emotional learning for little ones, this set is a good choice.

When I feel angry
ISBN: 9781786287465

When I feel happy
ISBN: 9781786287489

Published October 2023 by Child's Play; Review copies provided by publisher