
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'green-eyed monster' or acting out after a friend receives praise that they wanted for themselves. It follows Yaz, a young girl who feels overshadowed by her best friend Rey's artistic talents. This story validates the heavy, uncomfortable physical sensation of jealousy while showing how those feelings can lead to hurtful choices. It is a perfect choice for children aged 4 to 8 who are navigating the complexities of school-age friendships and learning how to celebrate others. By the end, the book models a sincere apology and the path toward self-forgiveness, making it a valuable tool for building emotional intelligence and resilience in social settings.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with social conflict and peer-to-step aggression in a secular, realistic manner. The resolution is hopeful and focuses on restorative justice through an apology.
An elementary student who is highly competitive or sensitive to praise, particularly one who has recently 'sabotaged' a peer or sibling and feels stuck in the shame of their actions.
Read the book cold, but be prepared to pause when Yaz makes her 'bad choice' to ask the child what they think she is feeling in that moment. No specific content warnings are needed. A parent likely just saw their child stomp away, say something mean to a friend, or perhaps witnessed a 'sore loser' moment at a playdate or school event.
Younger children (4-5) will focus on the bright, expressive colors that represent the emotions. Older children (7-8) will resonate more with the specific social dynamics of the classroom and the difficulty of the apology.
Unlike many books that simply tell kids not to be jealous, this one personifies the feeling as something that 'takes over,' making the emotion feel manageable rather than like a character flaw.
Yaz and Rey are best friends who love to create, but when Rey's artwork receives more attention and praise from their teacher and peers, Yaz is overcome by jealousy. This 'green' feeling leads Yaz to make a mean-spirited choice that hurts Rey. The story follows Yaz's internal struggle with guilt and her eventual decision to own up to her actions and repair the friendship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.