What Feelings Do When No One's Looking Book Review

What Feelings Do When No One's Looking
Written by Tina Oziewicz
Illustrated by Aleksandra Zajac
Translated from the Polish by Jennifer Croft
Published by Elsewhere Editions (Expected July 19, 2022)

Review

What Feelings Do When No One's Looking provides an intimate look at what our emotions are doing when we aren't experiencing them.

T is quite pleased with this book, as am I. T connected with Feelings and read it to himself at bedtime several nights in a row. One of his repeated observations was that the personified emotions look just how he thinks they should; they behave how they ought. Zajac really nailed it for him. The art stands out for me as well - its soothing grays calm the psyche and invite the observer to be at peace with each emotion, regardless of positive or negative connotation. Some children's picture books leave a discernible feeling of serenity; this was one of those. 

If you've been with us since the beginning, you may recall my search for high quality emotion-centric picture books. At 7, T is much more cognizant of his emotional health and has developed a vocabulary to communicate with us. Building that awareness and that vocabulary, however, has taken time, patience, and a parade of books, some hits and some misses. What Feelings Do When No One's Looking is a hit not only today, but would also have suited our needs like a glove years ago. By gently showcasing diverse emotions engaged in a variety of individual activities, children are prompted to contemplate when and how they experience those feelings, from a safe distance. Furthermore, the soft gray tones calm while encouraging that introspection.

Note: A review copy provided for the purpose of an honest review.