Cheer Up Your Teddy Bear, Emily Brown!

Reach for this book when your child is struggling to navigate a friend's bad mood or feeling frustrated that they cannot simply fix someone else's sadness. It provides a wonderful entry point for discussing emotional boundaries and the power of presence over perfection. Emily Brown and her sidekick Stanley try increasingly absurd and imaginative ways to cheer up their grumpy teddy bear, Barney, only to realize that sometimes being a good friend just means being there. This story beautifully validates that everyone is allowed to have an 'off' day. By using wild, whimsical adventures to mirror the internal effort we put into helping others, it teaches empathy without being heavy-handed. It is a perfect choice for preschoolers and early elementary children who are beginning to develop complex social-emotional skills and need to see that patience is just as important as playfulness.