How Are You Peeling?

Rating:
Summary: Negative emotions are okay for children to feel
Review: As the parent of an emotionally disturbed foster daughter, I know first hand how necessary it is for young children to understand their emotions, whether positive or negative, and find appropriate outlets to express those emotions.

This beautiful book is a wonderful way to expose young children to the concept of emotions, and to help a youngster know there is a difference between "sad" and "tired" and "lonely". While the book does not always explain what those emotions mean, it presents the emotions with appropriate expressions that children themselves have held on their own faces. Tracing the down-turned "lips" of a vegetable, my daughter will say, "she's sad like I am sometimes". Then we talk about ways to express sadness/anger/frustration or whatever emotion the vegetable/fruit appears to be exhibiting. In this way, I think the book is a useful therapeutic tool for troubled children.

It's great for "normal" kids, too. The book is fun, and full of life with bright, vibrant colors that make you want to smile. In addition, there is produce in here that most kids have never heard of, let alone seen. I believe that a picky child will be more willing to try a "new" food that she has at least heard of before and seen a picture of, than if she had never heard of them. That has to be a healthy thing!

And lastly, this book isn't just for kids. I think it's a beautiful art book for people of all ages. I enjoy looking at the photos and trying to imagine how the item grew in just that way. Freyman is clever and artistic, and this book is as good as the previous ones.

Rating:
Summary: Such a Fun Unique Way to Discuss Emotions with Young Kids!
Review: I was reading how important it is for parents to help thier young children identify the different feelings that they experience. This is the first step in the process of planting the seeds of compassion and empathy for the feelings of others. Who would ever think we could turn to fruits and veggies to teach the lessons! These are truly works of edible art portraying such feelings as anger, fear, surprise, joy, pride, sadness, and jealousy. My two sons love this book and so do I. We read it all the time and sometimes use it to open up discussion about specific reasons that they are feeling a certain way and what they can do or say to others. Even my 3 year old "reads" it to me all by himself. I'm so glad that I found out about this book in my favorite source of quick-read parenting sanity, called "The Pocket Parent." This A-Z guide (written exclusively for parents of preschoolers) offers hundreds of tips to try when the kids challenge your sanity. If you have a 2, 3, 4, or 5-year-old, consider adding these two books to your personal library to refer to again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers are playing with their food and we are the lucky recipients of their charming and amusing latest effort, How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods. The simple rhyming text discussing emotions we all feel at times...happy, sad, grumpy or worried, shy, insecure, amused or confused...to name a few, compliments the amazing fruit and vegetable sculptures. It's hard to believe an onion, kiwi, radish or mushroom (to name but a few) could express such emotions, but they do. A vibrant, visual treat the entire family will enjoy reading and discussing, this is a book that should find its way onto everyone's bookshelf!