Book details

  • Genre:children's fiction
  • Sub-genre:Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
  • Age Range (years):2 - 8
  • Language:English
  • Pages:36
  • Paperback ISBN:9798905044052

The Feelings Bench

Sitting With Your Emotions

By Erica Thayer

Overview


A heartfelt social-emotional learning picture book that invites children and adults alike to approach feelings with curiosity, compassion, and connection. Through gentle storytelling and engaging illustrations, readers discover that emotions do not need to be hidden or hurried away, and that no one has to sit with their emotions alone.
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Description


Big feelings don't have to be feared, fixed, or hurried away. Sometimes, they simply need a place to sit. In "The Feelings Bench," emotions take shape as colorful visitors, each arriving with something to say. Some feelings feel bright and easy. Others feel heavy, messy, or hard to understand. But every feeling is met with curiosity, compassion, and care. Through heartfelt storytelling and engaging illustrations, this social-emotional learning picture book invites children and adults alike to notice what is happening inside their bodies, name their emotions, and discover that every feeling deserves space and understanding. Rooted in developmentally supportive SEL practices and aligned with CASEL's core competencies, the story encourages emotional awareness, connection, resilience, and self-acceptance while creating meaningful opportunities for conversation between children and the adults who care for them. Perfect for families, classrooms, counselors, and caregivers, "The Feelings Bench" is a comforting reminder that every feeling belongs, and no one has to sit with their emotions alone.
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About The Author


Erica Thayer is a former educator who believes some of the most meaningful moments in life happen when children feel truly seen, heard, and understood. Through her love of children's literature and social-emotional learning, she writes stories that help readers make space for their feelings with curiosity, compassion, and connection. Erica lives in New England with her husband, toddler, and golden retriever, where life is full of messy moments, bedtime stories, big emotions, and lots of love. Her debut children's book, "The Feelings Bench," aims to reminds children and adults alike that emotions do not need to be hidden or hurried away, and that no one has to sit with their feelings alone.
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