Checking In

A parent might reach for this book when they want a gentle, positive way to help their young child name and talk about emotions. Based on a song by the author, 'Checking In' introduces a young girl who compares her feelings to different animals: happy like a dog, sad like a cat, mad like a bear. This simple, concrete metaphor gives children an accessible vocabulary for their inner world. The book normalizes having a wide range of feelings, sometimes all at once, and frames self-reflection as a simple, kind act. Its lyrical, repetitive nature makes it a calming read, ideal for building emotional intelligence in children ages 3 to 7.