Jan Jay's Blog
August 16, 2025
Helping Children Understand Their Feelings
As a mother and a children’s book publisher, I often see how little ones struggle with big feelings they cannot name. At ages 3–6, emotions can feel like storms: sudden, strong, and overwhelming.
Through stories, children discover a safe space to explore those feelings. A book is more than just words and pictures it becomes a mirror of their own emotions and a gentle guide toward empathy and self-awareness.
When we read with our children, we don’t just teach them about colors, shapes, or numbers. We give them the words for joy, sadness, fear, and love. We show them that feelings are not “good” or “bad", they are part of being human.
My hope is that every child can grow up not only learning how to read but also learning how to feel and to understand that their emotions matter.
Through stories, children discover a safe space to explore those feelings. A book is more than just words and pictures it becomes a mirror of their own emotions and a gentle guide toward empathy and self-awareness.
When we read with our children, we don’t just teach them about colors, shapes, or numbers. We give them the words for joy, sadness, fear, and love. We show them that feelings are not “good” or “bad", they are part of being human.
My hope is that every child can grow up not only learning how to read but also learning how to feel and to understand that their emotions matter.
July 30, 2025
The First Time My Child Said, “I’m Scared”
It was bedtime. Lights low. My child clung to me eyes wide, body tense. I asked gently, “What’s wrong?”
Silence.
That night, we read Facing My Fears. A story about fear, told simply and kindly. When we reached the page with the child hiding under the blanket, my little one whispered:
“Like me. I feel scared too.”
It was the first time my child could name fear.
Not cry it. Not show it. Say it.
That moment reminded me why I write:
Books don’t just entertain. They unlock words for feelings too big to hold alone.
If you have a little one who struggles to say what’s inside… maybe this book can help them, too.
Silence.
That night, we read Facing My Fears. A story about fear, told simply and kindly. When we reached the page with the child hiding under the blanket, my little one whispered:
“Like me. I feel scared too.”
It was the first time my child could name fear.
Not cry it. Not show it. Say it.
That moment reminded me why I write:
Books don’t just entertain. They unlock words for feelings too big to hold alone.
If you have a little one who struggles to say what’s inside… maybe this book can help them, too.
What Do You Do When Your Child Faces a Big, Negative Feeling?
Some nights, my child can’t find the words just tears or tiny storms of frustration. As a mom, that breaks my heart. I used to feel helpless.
Then we started reading stories about feelings. Simple books. Gentle words. A sad bear, an angry bunny suddenly, my child could point and say, “That’s how I feel.”
Books became our bridge. A quiet, loving way to talk about big emotions in small moments.
I write these stories now, not to teach, but to connect, so another child, and another parent, might feel a little more understood.
Then we started reading stories about feelings. Simple books. Gentle words. A sad bear, an angry bunny suddenly, my child could point and say, “That’s how I feel.”
Books became our bridge. A quiet, loving way to talk about big emotions in small moments.
I write these stories now, not to teach, but to connect, so another child, and another parent, might feel a little more understood.
July 24, 2025
Why I Read with My Child Every Night
Each night before bed, I sit with my child and we read,Sad Is Just a Feeling: A Comforting Book About Emotions for Kids Ages 3–6 no screens, no rush. It's become our quiet moment of connection, where stories turn into memories and pages build trust.
We laugh, we wonder, we imagine. My child asks the most unexpected questions, and sometimes, those stories lead to the most meaningful conversations.
Reading together isn't just about books. It's about being fully present. It helps build vocabulary, empathy, and a love for learning that lasts far beyond childhood.
If you’re a parent, I truly encourage you to try it—even just 10 minutes a night. It might become your favorite part of the day.
We laugh, we wonder, we imagine. My child asks the most unexpected questions, and sometimes, those stories lead to the most meaningful conversations.
Reading together isn't just about books. It's about being fully present. It helps build vocabulary, empathy, and a love for learning that lasts far beyond childhood.
If you’re a parent, I truly encourage you to try it—even just 10 minutes a night. It might become your favorite part of the day.
July 16, 2025
Teaching Children to Name Their Feelings: A Journey Through Books Toward Happiness
As a mother, I used to think that love and good care were enough for my child to grow up happy. But then came the days when my child burst into tears over the wrong color spoon, threw toys in anger, or sat quietly in unexplained sadness. That’s when I realized: young children have a complex emotional world but they lack the words to express it. I began exploring ways to help my child recognize and manage emotions, and I discovered a wonderful companion on this journey: children’s books about emotions and feelings. These books help young kids name their emotions, understand they are not alone, and learn simple ways to cope, laying the foundation for empathy and emotional resilience.
In our daily routine, books became a gentle guide for both of us. Each evening, we picked a story together. When we reached a part where a character was sad or angry, I would ask, “How do you think they feel?” or “What would you do if you were them?” At first, my child would just shrug. But slowly, they began to say things like, “They’re sad, they need a hug.” I realized these small moments were precious opportunities, not only was my child learning to identify feelings, but I was also learning to listen without judgment. Instead of saying, “Stop it, there’s no need to be upset,” I started saying, “I see you’re angry let’s take a deep breath together.” We were both learning, side by side.
To parents who feel lost when facing their child’s big emotions, I would say: start with a small book. You don’t need lectures or strict lessons,I Can Be Confident: A Story for Kids Learning to Believe in ThemselvesI Can Be Confident: A Story for Kids Learning to Believe in Themselves just sit together, turn the pages, and let the stories open up conversations. Books about emotions and feelings aren’t magic fixes, but they create space for connection and understanding. They remind us that emotional growth is not about “teaching” children in the usual sense, but about accompanying them with patience, curiosity, and love.
In our daily routine, books became a gentle guide for both of us. Each evening, we picked a story together. When we reached a part where a character was sad or angry, I would ask, “How do you think they feel?” or “What would you do if you were them?” At first, my child would just shrug. But slowly, they began to say things like, “They’re sad, they need a hug.” I realized these small moments were precious opportunities, not only was my child learning to identify feelings, but I was also learning to listen without judgment. Instead of saying, “Stop it, there’s no need to be upset,” I started saying, “I see you’re angry let’s take a deep breath together.” We were both learning, side by side.
To parents who feel lost when facing their child’s big emotions, I would say: start with a small book. You don’t need lectures or strict lessons,I Can Be Confident: A Story for Kids Learning to Believe in ThemselvesI Can Be Confident: A Story for Kids Learning to Believe in Themselves just sit together, turn the pages, and let the stories open up conversations. Books about emotions and feelings aren’t magic fixes, but they create space for connection and understanding. They remind us that emotional growth is not about “teaching” children in the usual sense, but about accompanying them with patience, curiosity, and love.
