Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions

In a feel-good concept book, the Geisel Award–winning illustrator of See the Cat gives young children a vocabulary for naming—and managing—their emotions.

From delight to disgust, excitement to fear, worry to confidence, boredom to curiosity, feelings can shift in a heartbeat. Mike Wohnoutka’s simple words and tender, nuanced illustrations follow three young children as they traverse emotional highs and lows over the course of a school day. The wide spectrum of emotions covered—far beyond happy and sad—invites readers to share their own contradictory, unpredictable, ever-present feelings. Vetted by an expert in the science of children’s emotions, this day in the inner life of three kids encourages first steps toward emotional literacy and is a satisfying narrative that ends with the adorable trio converging after school in the park—ready for play!

Mike Wohnoutka is the author-illustrator of So Big!, the Croc & Turtle books, and Dad's First Day. He has illustrated more than thirty acclaimed books for children, including the Geisel Award winner See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog and its sequels, as well as How to Apologize, all written by David LaRochelle. Mike Wohnoutka lives in Minnesota.