Title:
What Feeling Is That?
Overview:
Understanding emotions is one of the most vital skills a child can develop, and What Feeling Is That? serves as a brilliantly accessible guide to help little ones navigate their inner world. Authored by neuroscientist and children's writer Rupa Huq, this thoughtfully crafted book transforms the complex task of emotional literacy into an engaging, age-appropriate journey. Designed specifically for toddlers and pre-readers, the book tackles common yet challenging feelings through clear, simple language and vibrant storytelling. Instead of overwhelming young minds with psychological jargon, this title meets developmental needs at their level, making it an essential resource for families navigating tantrums, separations, new friendships, and everyday sensory experiences. Buying this book provides parents, carers, and early years practitioners with a ready-made framework for having sensitive conversations. Whether used as a calm-down companion during emotional outbursts or as a gentle daytime exploration tool, it lays the groundwork for resilience, self-awareness, and healthy communication. By naming feelings as they arise, children learn that every emotion is valid and manageable, turning potential meltdowns into meaningful learning moments.
What Makes This Book Stand Out:
Unlike standard behaviour charts or rigid rule-based children's books, What Feeling Is That? focuses entirely on internal states, giving space for nuanced, real-life experiences. Its standout feature is the clever, structured approach to introducing abstract concepts. Each spread isolates a specific feeling, pairing it with relatable scenarios that toddlers instantly recognise from their own lives. The dynamic artwork by celebrated illustrator Charlotte Voake plays a crucial role here; soft textures, expressive character designs, and carefully chosen colour palettes mirror the intensity and mood of each emotion. This visual storytelling ensures that even non-verbal children can point, engage, and process. Furthermore, the book avoids moralising—sadness isn't punished, anger isn't demonised, and happiness isn't treated as the only acceptable state. This balanced approach makes it exceptionally powerful for modern parenting and inclusive classroom settings where emotional safety takes priority over quick compliance.
Who This Book Is Perfect For:
This title is ideal for curious toddlers aged roughly two to five who are beginning to verbalise—or struggling to identify—their shifting moods. It is widely recommended by early years educators, speech and language therapists, and paediatric psychologists as a supplementary tool for social-emotional learning. Parents seeking screen-free downtime will appreciate how easily the pages integrate into bedtime routines or post-play wind-downs. Gift buyers will find it exceptionally well-suited for baby showers, first birthday celebrations, back-to-school handovers, and nursery staff appreciation presents. Collectors of classic British children's picture books will also value its enduring relevance and print quality.
Key Highlights:
- Introduces foundational emotions tailored to early childhood cognitive development
- Uses conversational prompts and direct questions to encourage active listening and response
- Calming narrative pace specifically designed for de-escalating stress and bedtime settling
- Brings together neuroscience expertise and accessible storytelling techniques
- Highly durable binding and bright, lasting prints perfect for high-traffic playroom shelves
- Balances validation and coping strategies without dismissing a child's genuine distress
- Ideal supplement for home school environments, nurseries, and therapeutic play sessions
About the Author:
Rupa Huq is a highly respected medical doctor, clinical neuroscientist, and award-winning broadcaster whose career spans decades of public speaking, television presenting, and literary publishing. After dedicating her early professional years to medicine and research, she transitioned into writing children's literature with a distinct mission: making complex scientific and psychological concepts digestible for young audiences. Her background in brain development deeply informs her approach to early education, allowing her to explain emotional regulation and cognitive growth in ways that align with how a toddler's mind actually works. Beyond this title, she has published several other acclaimed works focusing on child psychology, healthy development, and accessible science. Her authority on human behaviour, combined with her warm and reassuring voice, gives her books tremendous weight with both caregivers and academic reviewers.
Why You’ll Love This Book:
Owning What Feeling Is That? means investing in a child's long-term mental wellbeing while enjoying a genuinely delightful read-aloud session yourself. The combination of expert-backed frameworks and charming illustrations creates a seamless reading experience that feels effortlessly natural rather than forced or didactic. When kept on your side table or nursery shelf, it immediately becomes the go-to choice whenever small humans need reassurance, empathy, or simply a safe vessel to express themselves. Secure your copy today and gift your family a practical, beautiful book that grows alongside your child.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
