When I Feel Surprised

When I’m surprised, my heart jumps! Sometimes surprises are welcome, sometimes I don’t like them. Sometimes I’m surprised even when I know what will happen.

This sturdy board book explores the feeling of being surprised using colourful creatures and positive statements. Books are a useful way to explore emotions that a child will experience, and toddlers will enjoy identifying with this friendly pink creature. Every situation is familiar – from splashing in puddles to eating lunch and playing in sand – and the simple language used creates a warm and positive feeling. (Some surprises can turn out to be fun!) Paula Bowles’s bright palette and cute characters should entice young children to want to read the book again and again, and it isn’t too large for a toddler to hold by themselves.

This is part of a series spanning six major emotions and the other books are: Scared, Angry, Sad, Happy and Loved. The series was created with advice from a Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology, and it would be useful for starting conversations about feelings, as well as developing empathy, resilience and a positive sense of self.