Sometimes you know exactly what you feel. And sometimes... not at all. It's no different for children. Their days are full of big feelings, from anger to joy and from insecurity and fear to pride. But they don't always have the words to name those feelings yet.

That's precisely when books can help. Because stories not only help children understand what they're feeling, but also to see that they're not alone. Our books also help to playfully discuss these feelings.

A fruity gang full of emotion

In the world of HÖNGRY, emotions are never boring. They are allowed to exist, in all colors, shapes and flavors.

• Anger gets a face with Robby Raspberry, who grumblingly learns that it's okay to growl and sigh now and then.
• Fear? That's allowed to exist with Nacho Corn Cob, who discovers that courage doesn't mean you're never scared. 
• Insecurity gets warmth with Gina Eggplant, who learns that being yourself is actually the most beautiful thing of all.
• And Barry Blueberry? He bounces through life full of energy and learns that ‘being the best’ mainly means: believing in yourself, even when things don't work out.

And let's not forget the rest of the gang: Teddy Tomato who spreads warmth and hugs, Lola Banana who lightens everything up with a joke, Mimi Watermelon who prefers to paint her feelings, Freddie Broccoli who makes everyone dance with his guitar, and the Peas who seek adventure with their rocket. Together they form a world full of emotions.

Children recognize themselves in the fruity gang, whether it's Robby's tantrum, Nacho's brave heart, or Gina's doubts. And so, a story becomes a wonderful moment of shared feeling and understanding.

 

A good story sometimes says exactly what a child can't yet say

Sometimes angry is just angry. But sometimes angry actually means: I'm sad, or I don't understand, or I just want to be seen. Books help translate those feelings into words and images that children understand. They make emotions concrete, without becoming heavy.

Perhaps your child sometimes feels sad, angry, or insecure but doesn't know how to express it. A child who doesn't yet have words for sadness might recognize themselves in a character or a drawing. A child afraid of failing hears in a story that even the greatest heroes sometimes doubt themselves or are scared. And a child who is ashamed or insecure can discover through a book that they are not the only one who feels this way.

Reading together = feeling together

Reading together is so much more than words on paper. It's an adventure and discovery together, and taking a moment to pause together. A book also offers a lot of safety because your child doesn't have to talk about themselves directly. You read about what Robby does or what Nacho thinks. Children recognize themselves in it, and perhaps your child feels the space and indicates that they sometimes feel that way too. 

The moment a story helps to talk about what's going on inside is often the beginning of something beautiful.

How do you start a conversation about emotions using a book?

The great thing about a good book is that the conversation often starts naturally. Children spontaneously begin to talk, react, or recognize themselves in what they hear. If that doesn't happen immediately, you can start the conversation with a few open questions:

• “How do you think Gina feels?”
• “What would you do if you were Nacho?”
• “When was the last time you were rasp-berry angry?”

Such questions invite thinking, feeling, and sharing without there having to be one correct answer. And sometimes nothing even needs to be said. Then, as a parent, you feel that the story has touched something, and the story itself is already doing its work.

More than just books

At HÖNGRY, the stories don't stop at the last page. They continue in coloring pages, conversations, puzzles, and games like the emotion card game. A child who knows Robby Raspberry might be quicker to say they're angry. And a child who admires Gina learns to see themselves with different eyes. The emotion poster can also help to give feelings a place at home or in the classroom.

Books don't make emotions smaller, they make them less abstract. And that's perhaps the most beautiful gift you can give a child.

Discover our books about emotions and feelings:

• Framboos: about emotions and anger
• Wat als ik pof?: about fear, being scared, and gathering courage
• Goed in mijn schil: about insecurity, a positive self-image, and self-confidence
• De beste: about perfectionism and self-confidence
• Jij maakt mij framblij: about learning to recognize feelings (1+)
• Jij bent mijn tomaatje: about friendship and caring for each other (1+)

Want even more in-depth knowledge? Nathalie from Unicorns & Fairytales (Instagram: @out_of_the_box_play) wrote a wonderful supplement full of educational tips on learning to learn, giftedness, and recognizing emotions in the body. Highly recommended for those who want to use our books even more broadly at home or in the classroom. You can read her blog here.