The Animals Within Me
A Gentle Journey Through Big Feelings;
A 4-book series designed to help children be aware, understand, process, express, and regulate their emotions—one step at a time.
This series is intentionally designed as a step-by-step progression to support children’s emotional development. Based on the emotional growth pillars of the RULER (recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, regulating), each book builds on the next, helping children move from simply noticing feelings to confidently managing them.
Step 1: Recognizing Labeling
There’s an Animal in My Belly!
Children learn to recognize emotions based on somatic body awareness and name the feeling.
"If I can name it, then I can tame it!"
Step 2: Understanding
There’s an Animal in My Head!
Children learn to understand and connect emotions with thoughts; knowing why and what caused the feeling.
"If I can feel it, then I can heal it!"
Step 3:
Expressing
There’s an Animal in My Mouth!
Children learn to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way.
"If I can say it, then I can slay it!"
Step 4:
Regulating
There’s an Animal in My Hands!
Children learn to manage their feelings and control their behavior; using coping skills in order to handle the emotions and grow from them.
"If I can let it go, I can help myself grow!"
The Books
For all my big feelers;
You are the ringleader ...
Stay wild, my child, and always listen
to your belly.
Book1;
Early Emotional Awareness
Naming Feelings
Recognizing Emotions
Early learners ages 2-5
Meet CJ! He is starting to have big feelings and he doesn't know what to do about it. Help CJ become aware of his emotions by naming the animal moving around in his belly.
Book2;
Emotional Understanding
Empathy Building
Identifying why/when/how
Preschool/Kindergarten ages 3-6
CJ knows his belly animals and gave them a name. Now he is trying to understand why he has these feelings. Can CJ find out why these animals are now in his head?
There's an Animal in My Belly!
There's an Animal in My Head!
Moms-
big feeler at home
and struggling with
calming the storm?
Teachers-
need ideas for creating
social emotional
learning in the
classroom?
These books
are for YOU!
Book3;
Emotional Expression
Language building;
"I feel ___ when ___"
I feel ___ because___"
Early Elementary ages 4-7
CJ is back and needs your help again! He can name the animals in his belly, and knows why they are in his head. He wants to tell someone. Can CJ get those animals to his mouth?
Book4;
Emotional Confidence
Regulation Building
Coping with Emotions
Early Elementary ages 5-8
