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Bella and Bird Explore Anger
In my first-grade classroom, big feelings show up every day. Sometimes it’s over a broken crayon. Sometimes it’s because someone else got the last spot in line. That’s why Bella and Bird Explore Anger was such a breath of fresh air. It’s a story that understands what anger feels like for a child, how fast it can take over, and how confusing it can be to calm down.
The artwork is just beautiful. It’s soft, gentle, and full of heart. Every page feels like a quiet sketch brought to life with care and warmth. The pencil-like textures and warm colors give the story a calming feel. It’s all done in a way that matches the tone perfectly. It’s the kind of art that invites you to slow down and take a closer look.
What I loved most was how Bella and Bird talked to Henry with kindness and patience. They didn’t scold him or try to shut down his feelings. Instead, they explained things in a way that made sense. The tools they offered like counting to cool down and using an emotion wheel are things I could actually use in my classroom.
The pictures are warm and full of gentle humor. Bella feels like the wise teacher we all wish we could be every day, and Bird keeps things light just when it’s needed. As a teacher, I’m always looking for books that help kids grow in ways that matter beyond the ABCs. This one does exactly that. I’ll be keeping Bella and Bird Explore Anger close by.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FG5MSTNB
Therapeutic Tools
Bella and Bird Explore Anger follows a young boy who is visibly upset after being denied a slice of his favorite pie, as he learns about anger and how to process it. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for the first book in the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers series came after Hurricane Ian devastated our island in Southwest Florida. Just three weeks before the storm, I had adopted my therapy horse, Bella, from Southern California. After traveling across the country to her new home, Bella endured and survived a Category 5 hurricane.
Her resilience was incredible, and as I thought about her journey, I also kept thinking about the children who lived through that hurricane and children everywhere who face devastating events, whether storms, fires, floods, or tornadoes. I wanted to create a story that would help adults talk with children about big emotions in a way that felt safe and approachable.
More importantly, I wanted my books to provide practical, therapeutic tools children could carry with them for life so they would know not only that it’s okay to have big feelings, but also how to process them in healthy ways.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One of my main goals was to help children develop both emotional literacy and emotional intelligence. Emotional literacy is the ability to recognize, name, and understand our feelings, while emotional intelligence is the ability to manage those emotions, express them appropriately, and empathize with others.
In Bella and Bird Explore Anger, I wanted young readers to not only see a character experiencing a big feeling, but also to learn the vocabulary to describe it and the tools to manage it. The story introduces simple, therapeutic strategies like box breathing, cool-down counting, and using an emotion wheel to help children process anger in a healthy way.
By embedding these skills into a relatable story, my hope is that children begin to understand that all feelings are valid, but how we respond to those feelings matters. This combination of emotional literacy and emotional intelligence sets a foundation they can use for the rest of their lives.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I had the most fun creating the box breathing scene because it gave me a chance to show a calming tool in action in a way that children can easily understand and try for themselves. But even more than that, I loved creating the character of Bird, who is based on a real bird that lives in Bella’s stall. In the story, Bird brings comic relief to balance out the heavier emotional themes. These books deal with big, sometimes difficult feelings, and I think sprinkling in humor makes the lessons more engaging, comforting, and memorable for children.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, Bella and Bird Explore Anger is the first book in the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers series. The second book, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, is going to print soon. In that story, readers will meet Molly, a little girl experiencing the heavy emotion of sadness. Bella and Bird gently teach her how to tend to her sadness, while also offering therapeutic tools that nurture both emotional intelligence and emotional literacy; skills she can carry for life.
Following that, fans can look forward to Bella and Bird Explore Happiness. Oh, what a joyful adventure that one is! And then Bella and Bird Explore Fear. Each book is designed to help children and the adults in their lives talk openly about big emotions, build the vocabulary to name those feelings, and learn practical strategies to understand, manage, and express them in healthy ways. In doing so, the series aims to nurture emotional literacy (recognizing and naming feelings) and emotional intelligence (understanding and managing those feelings with empathy and self-awareness).
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When Henry storms into the pasture, Bella, the wise horse, and her wisecracking sidekick, Bird, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Henry is angry and offer better ways to cope.
By the time Henry leaves the pasture, he’s gained new insights, is in better control of his feelings, and has tools to take along with him.
Bella and Bird Explore Anger helps children understand and manage their anger, making it a valuable resource for open and honest conversations about this challenging emotion.
Social-Emotional Learning
Liam’s Lost Sparkle follows a young girl excited for Art Day at school who discovers a classmate is sad because his best friend has moved, so she offers to help him complete the rocket ship that his friend had been building. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from those small but powerful moments in childhood when empathy shines the brightest. I wanted to capture that magic—the way kids notice when someone’s feeling left out or sad and instinctively want to help. The idea of Art Day felt perfect because creativity brings people together, and something as simple as finishing a rocket ship can feel like rebuilding a broken world for a child. I kept thinking, what if one small act of kindness could light up someone’s whole world again? That thought became the heart of Liam’s story.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One of my biggest goals was to weave social-emotional learning naturally into the story. I wanted children to see empathy in action—not as a lesson being taught, but as a choice that feels good and makes a difference. Friendship, kindness, and teamwork were essential themes because they’re real-life skills kids need every day. I also wanted to show problem-solving—how helping someone isn’t about having all the answers, but about caring enough to try. If kids walk away thinking, “I can be a helper too,” then I’ve done my job.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I absolutely loved writing the scene where the classroom transforms into a creative wonderland for Art Day. There’s this buzz of excitement—paint splashing, glitter shimmering, little imaginations running wild—and right in the middle of it, you see the contrast of Liam feeling lost. Then comes that turning point where the main character offers to help him finish the rocket. That moment gave me chills because it’s where kindness takes center stage. Writing it felt like watching a gray day burst into color.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can young readers expect in the next story?
Yes! Liam’s Lost Sparkle is the very first book in the Brave Kids Series, and I’m so excited to share that the next adventure will be coming out this fall. Young readers can expect another heartwarming story that celebrates courage and kindness—this time exploring a whole new challenge kids face every day. It’s going to be filled with big feelings, brave choices, and moments that show just how powerful empathy can be. Stay tuned—it’s going to be amazing!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
When Liam’s best friend moves away, his sparkle fades—until a classmate asks, “Is your heart feeling kind of… cloudy?” This award-winning social skills book for kids helps:
Understand big feelings with gentle metaphors (“shadowy moods,” “lost sparkle”)
Practice kindness through relatable examples (“You can sit with me,” “Let’s build together!”)
Spark conversations with 8+ discussion questions and a “Feelings Detective Glasses” activity
Perfect for:
Parents seeking bedtime stories with emotional depth
Teachers building SEL skills (aligned with CASEL standards)
Counselors helping kids navigate friendship changes
Kindle Exclusive Features: Read-along mode (Enhanced typesetting for young readers)
Vibrant illustrations optimized for Kindle Fire/tablets
Bonus QR code for free printable activities
Bella and Bird Explore Anger
Bella and Bird Explore Anger is a warm, accessible, and insightful children’s picture book that tackles one of childhood’s most overwhelming emotions: anger. Written by clinical therapist and educator Deana Plaskon, this book is part of the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers series, which aims to help children ages 5–10 build emotional literacy and healthy coping mechanisms.
The story follows a young boy named Henry who is visibly upset after being denied a slice of his favorite pie. With support from Bella, a gentle therapy horse, and Bird, her humorous avian sidekick, Henry explores what anger feels like, how it affects others, and how to handle it constructively. The narrative flows naturally, balancing humor and wisdom, and gives children clear, memorable tools such as “box breathing” and “cool-down counting” to self-regulate their emotions.
What sets this children’s book apart is its balance of psychological insight and kid-friendly storytelling. Through repetition, metaphor, and hands-on practices, children are empowered to identify and express their emotions in healthier ways.
Lea Marie Ravotti’s watercolor illustrations are charming and expressive, bringing tenderness and vibrancy to every page. Bird’s quirky remarks lighten the mood while reinforcing key concepts, making the book as entertaining as it is educational.
This picture book is not just for children, it also provides guidance for caregivers and educators. The Author’s Note is a thoughtful note, offering practical advice and additional coping strategies beyond the story. Plaskon’s background in mental health brings credibility and depth to the narrative, without ever making it feel clinical or preachy.
Bella and Bird Explore Anger is an engaging and emotionally intelligent picture book that successfully demystifies a tough emotion. It’s a must-read for parents, therapists, teachers, and, most importantly, children navigating big feelings. Highly recommended as both a story and a therapeutic tool.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FG5MSTNB
Bella and Bird Explore Anger
Bella and Bird Explore Anger follows a young boy named Henry who’s having a rough day. He’s angry because he can’t have his favorite pie. Enter Bella, a gentle horse, and Bird, her cheeky companion. Together, they help Henry name his feelings, understand what’s going on inside his body, and learn tools like box breathing and cool-down counting to manage his anger. Along the way, Henry learns that emotions aren’t bad, but what you do with them matters.
I found the writing clear and thoughtful, but also playful enough to keep kids interested. The pacing moves along well, and the dialogue between characters feels natural. Bella is the calm, reassuring type. Like the adult you’d want nearby during a meltdown. Bird adds a touch of humor that keeps things light. What impressed me most was how the book tackles a tough subject without being preachy. It doesn’t shame anger, which is a big deal. Instead, it treats it like something normal, something manageable, something even adults mess up sometimes.
I also really liked the breathing exercises and the way the book tied feelings to physical sensations. That’s such a smart and helpful concept for kids, and it’s presented in a way that feels doable. Honestly, the pie metaphor might be my favorite part, it’s funny, but also relatable. We’ve all gotten mad over something that feels huge in the moment but ends up being something small and understandable once we calm down. The artwork throughout the book is colorful, beautiful, and full of warmth, wrapping each page in a comforting glow.
I think Bella and Bird Explore Anger is a kind and clever picture book that would be great for kids ages 5 to 10, especially those who are learning to handle big emotions. It would be just as useful in a classroom as it would be at home, and it’s perfect for any child who sometimes explodes. It’s comforting, practical, and full of warmth.
Just Be You
In Just Be You, Valerie Whetstone introduces readers to Pixie, a young fairy whose life is turned upside down when her parents announce they’re leaving the comfort of Fairy Town for the unfamiliar world of Humanville. For Pixie, this news is more than unsettling; it’s earth-shattering. Fairy Town is where she belongs, where she’s free to be herself without fear of judgment. In Humanville, she must conceal her wings and blend in with human children, a task that proves far more complicated than she expects.
Once relocated, Pixie begins attending a new school, and the struggle to hide her true identity intensifies. Every attempt to mask her wings ends in disappointment. Despite her best efforts, nothing seems to work. But Pixie isn’t ready to give up; she tries one final solution. Will it succeed? Readers will find themselves eagerly turning the pages to discover whether Pixie’s bold move brings the acceptance she longs for or something even greater.
This charming tale is not only captivating but also imparts a resonant message. As Pixie wrestles with the pressure to conform, young readers are gently reminded of the power of authenticity. Her journey encourages children to embrace what makes them unique, reinforcing that trying to change who you are for others rarely brings true happiness. Instead, the story champions self-acceptance and honesty as the most empowering path.
The book’s back matter adds depth and interactivity that further enriches the reading experience. Whetstone includes a “Mirror Exercise” that encourages children to speak kind affirmations to themselves, an empowering activity that nurtures self-esteem. A whimsical recipe for Sprinkled Fairy Pancakes, introduced earlier in the story, adds a touch of fun and magic. Additionally, a Journal/Affirmations section invites young readers to reflect, draw, and express gratitude, promoting emotional awareness and self-love. Children can also create lists of “power words” to reinforce their inner strength.
The illustrations by Mel Schroeder are nothing short of enchanting. Every page bursts with warmth and color, pulling readers further into Pixie’s world. Schroeder’s talent shines through in each vibrant, full-page spread, harmonizing beautifully with the narrative.
Just Be You is a heartfelt and empowering picture book that encourages children to stand tall in their individuality. It’s an engaging, thoughtful read with endearing characters and stunning visuals, an excellent resource for parents and educators alike. A truly uplifting story with a timeless message.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0DNQHFTTG
LITERARY TITAN 