Book Review of Animals Feeling Like Us
The Children’s Book Review
Written & Illustrated by R. M. Smith
Ages: 3-7 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Clarence-Henry Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-0988290983
What to Expect: Emotions, empathy, facial expressions, animal characters, social-emotional learning.
In Animals Feeling Like Us, R. M. Smith presents a charming and emotionally rich picture book that effectively engages young children in exploring and identifying a wide range of feelings, with the help of some very expressive animal friends.
This early childhood gem uses poetic language, playful animal pairings, and interactive prompts to make emotional learning fun and meaningful. Each page introduces a new animal embodying a different emotion—such as a Happy Hippo, a Frightened Fox, a Silly Sloth, or an Angry Alligator—inviting children to “make a face” that matches the feeling. The use of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition provides a soothing yet engaging read-aloud experience that supports comprehension and memory.
With clear and accessible explanations of complex emotions, children are not only introduced to the vocabulary of feelings but also given relatable examples of what those emotions feel like and how they might look. From the thrill of excitement to the fog of confusion, the book gently validates a full range of emotional experiences. Smith’s whimsical illustrations are full of personality and movement, offering visual cues that enhance each emotion and captivate young readers. The back matter, which asks children to recall the expressions they’ve seen, adds a nice review element—ideal for educators and parents alike.
Animals Feeling Like Us is an excellent tool for supporting emotional literacy at home or in the classroom. It belongs on every shelf where growing hearts and minds are nurtured.
Buy the Book
About the Author
R. M. Smith has a background in graphic design and illustration and enjoys the creative process of writing and illustrating kids’ books. He currently resides in northern Virginia with “Ms. Wickett,” two odd cats and a club-tailed iguana.
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