Reading Level: Grade 1 Interest Level: Grades K – 3
We all feel sad sometimes, and it is okay. Beginning readers will explore the emotion of sadness through leveled text and matching photos in this title. Special features summarize the text by detailing why we become sad and what sadness can feel and look like. A photo glossary helps define unfamiliar words. The final special feature poses the question: what makes you feel sad?
Fictional children act out scenarios in which they experience different emotions in these emerging readers. The kids in Angry stomp their feet, scream, and cry as a reaction to their big feelings. Reasons for feeling envious in Jealous include being left out and seeing others win. Each book includes a small section helping readers identify its emotion with photos and descriptions of trademark reactions, like being quiet, looking down, and hiding in Shy. Rather than the emotions being labeled “good” or “bad,” they are described as neutrally as possible to convey to readers that these feelings, especially the unpleasant ones, will pass. Bold words throughout the text direct readers to the glossary, where the words are plainly defined. Context clues also help define the vocabulary words on the pages. The photos depict diverse, differently abled children, so many readers will see themselves on the pages. VERDICT Recommended for purchase.
