Is It OK To Cry?

When he was a young puppy, Scotty's dad called him a crybaby after he hurt himself chasing a butterfly. "Boys don't cry," he said. "Boys have to be strong!" But now that Scotty has to say goodbye to his Mommy, he wants to cry…but is it OK to feel that way?

In this moving illustrated tale, children will learn how to process their emotions and express them in a healthy way. Readers will not only benefit from learning that there's no such thing as a bad feeling, they will learn how to rely on the support of loving family members in times of sadness, fear, anxiety and more.

Winston Schepps has practiced psychotherapy in Birmingham, Alabama for 54 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science from West Point in 1959, prior to serving for three years in the 101st Airborne Division. With the help of the National Episcopal Church, he attended New York University and in 1965 received his Master's in Social Work. He was married to his beloved Michael Kay for 47 years, and they had two children, Laura and Scott.

He lost his mother at age 11, and at her funeral was told by a family member that his mom wouldn't want him to cry. This inspired him to pursue social work and to ultimately relate the experience in a fictional book for children. He believes that helping people to own and share their feelings goes a long way toward fostering self-love, which is one of the most important steps in overcoming psychopathology.