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David is working and Charlie is hanging out at his grandmothers. I thought I would share a new children’s activity book with you which you will find inside our 2025 Christmas Gift Guide: Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book: A Trauma-Informed Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents by Jessica Sinarsk. Check out the press release here:
I wish you could see the cover of Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book: which has two Elephants on the cover. One Elephant is crying. I wish I could bring him home with me. A Giraffe with a wild hairdo that reminds me of Charlie. Two Bears, a Bird, and a Frog reminding me of Noah’s Ark.
Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book is a trauma informed guide Charlie, and I would like to purchase copies of the book to give to Cooks Children’s Hospital for parents and the staff. There were 3 other books in the series my family purchased and used in Charlie’s Homeschool Health Class.
Charlie, David and I thought we would let you know using the table of contents allows you to find what you want quicker. Back when Charlie was #Homeschooling we created lessons using the table of contents for a year of Lesson Plans.
Here is a tip for you. If the pages are marked with a Star they can be downloaded. The author explains who the book is for and how to use it. I had Charlie read and explain to David and I allowing Charlie to teach for a change.
I love how the author uses animals to climb out of her downstairs brain which I didn’t know we had. Did you? The note from the author reminds us we’ve got this. Part 1 is getting started. Including a welcome letter. My family created the folder in our art class then Charlie wrote ‘I am delightful”. Now, it’s your turn to create a folder.
Part 2 included becoming a Feelings Detective. Doesn’t that sound cool? I love how the author has drawn a time when we felt happy, sad, scared or mad which we can discuss once we finish the pictures. Would you like to draw your feelings with us? David said he might draw his with us. Wouldn’t that be fun?
In the middle of : Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book is a poster that says YOU ARE. I would like to print out to hang in our classroom. Part 3 is My Brave Brain. I didn’t know a brain could be brave. Did you? Charlie liked learning we can be brave like a Cub. There are activity cards Charlie used in his classroom health class. Would you like to see the activity cards?
Part 4 is Happy. I like the list that is called strengths detective as it tells us what we are. They even included a Happy Thoughts Maze Charlie couldn’t wait to work out. Part 5 is MAD! Which we all get at one time or another. We learn about shades of mad which Charlie, and I will be able to discuss this week.
Inside this section is a A Letter from the Tiger inside I couldn’t wait to read and share with Charlie. We learned mad is not bad which is true. There is plenty of coloring pages in this section to share with a friend or two. Part 6 is Scared and even adults get scared at times. Did you know that and have you talked to your children about being scared?
The Author has included Not-So-Scary Stories Charlie and I can’t wait to check out. We learn about a feelings container we hadn’t heard of. Had you? Then its time to sleep. I love how the author reminds the little ones they can do hard things. What things do you think would be hard for a child to do?
Part 7 is sad which Charlie and I were as we were coming to the end of the book. We didn’t want the book to end, and you will not either if you purchase A copy of Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book there is a page called “I wish you knew” where you can share your feelings with those you love.
Part 8 is expansion materials and Charlie had fun learning that this section contains more information for us. I hope you take the time to check out: Riley the Brave’s Big Feelings Activity Book as soon as possible because its perfect for children of all ages. Even adults can and will learn how to deal with there feelings if they work through the book.
About the book:
Roaring, grumping, knots in tummies…Making sense of big feelings can be tricky. Riley the Brave and his safe big critters are here to help! Enjoy 60+ fun activities and trauma-sensitive strategies to help children understand the brain science behind those big MAD, SAD, and SCARED emotions…and what to do about it!
Bright illustrations and familiar characters encourage children as they dig into their prickly porcupine moments, timid turtle moments, and all the feelings in between. An introduction for grown-ups will help you make the most of this treasure trove of games, printable masks, colorful cards, word searches, action plans, and more! Work one-on-one or easily adapt these strength-based activities for group settings. Lesson plans and frequent “Try This!” sections make this the ultimate resource for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone else supporting children with big feelings.
Thank yu,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
