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The Body Animals.png
The Body Animals.png

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.

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"If I can name it, then I can tame it!"

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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.

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"If I can feel it, then I can heal it!"

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Step 3:
Expressing

 

There’s an Animal in My Mouth!

Children learn to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way.

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"If I can say it, then I can slay it!"

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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.

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"If I can let it go, I can help myself grow!"

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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.

The Body Animals.png
The Body Animals.png

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
 

CJ is here for his final mission!  The animals are making their way to his hands and he is ready to let them free.  What does he need to do to let them go?



There's an Animal in My Mouth!

There's an Animal in My Hands!

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