Mali has feelings is a warm and relatable book for children and adults about the feelings we all have inside us. It is written for children aged 4–8, and for adults who want to help children understand and put their feelings into words.

 

The book came about because I feel that there are too few books that really explain to children what emotions are, why we have them, and how important they actually are. Children learn a lot about the world around them, but far too little about what's going on inside.

 

Through small stories from everyday life, we meet Mali when she is happy, sad, scared, angry, ashamed and feels guilty. Feelings that can feel big in a small body – and that sometimes need help, reassurance and understanding.

 

The book puts difficult emotions into simple words and shows how children can be met with calm, closeness and acceptance. There are no “wrong” emotions here. Emotions are not dangerous – they are important signals from the body about what we need.

 

When Mali is sad, she needs comfort.
When she is afraid, she needs reassurance.
When she is angry, she needs understanding and boundaries.

Just like when she is hungry and needs food.

 

I think it's incredibly important for children to learn this early on. When children learn to recognize their feelings, put them into words, and understand what they need, they are also better equipped to handle life, relationships, and difficult times later on.

 

At a time when many young people are struggling mentally, I want more children to grow up with the understanding that emotions are not something to be afraid of or push away – but something to listen to and face with confidence.

 

The stories are written in a soft and intimate language that invites good conversations between children and adults. At the back of the book you will also find a simple section for adults, inspired by emotion-focused therapy, about how we can meet children's emotions with empathy, security and understanding.

 

Mali has feelings fits well at home, in kindergarten and school, and can be a valuable tool for helping children understand themselves – and know that all feelings are allowed.

 

The book also contains fun coloring pages that children can do themselves.

 

This is a digital book (PDF) that can be downloaded and read on screen or printed at home.