A gentle and thoughtful picture book, Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings by Talar Herculian Coursey and her son Riley Herculian Coursey, illustrated by Meri Andreasyan, helps young children understand and manage their emotions.
Ralphy the cheerful school bus-driving dog takes along Jackson Johnson, a wise and compassionate “Furrapist” (furry therapist) for the first day of school. As children board, Jackson gently encourages them to name their feelings and reminds them that all emotions are welcome.
Jackson introduces a creative way for the children to embrace their feelings as normal while taking some control over how they start their year.
Some of the kids are scared, some sad, some tired, and others nervous or embarrassed—only one of them hops onto the bus excited. Instead of telling the children to push aside their negative emotions, Jackson tells them it’s okay to feel that way and that they can sit their feelings down next to them. Once they get to school, they can choose to take the feeling with them or leave it on the seat.
Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings teaches children how to recognize their own emotions and the thoughts behind them.
One of the kids feels sad because she misses her mom, but through Jackson’s gentle guidance shifts her focus to the fun she’ll have jumping rope with her friends at school.
The idea that you can feel your feelings but don’t have to be controlled by them is both powerful and comforting to children in a world that often tells them to simply behave or stop crying.
Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings nails this concept, reassuring kids that it’s okay to first acknowledge their emotions, then study them, and finally decide on how they want to change them. In capturing this insightful message, the book proves to be more than just a story but a practical tool for emotional regulation.
Meri Andreasyan’s, gentle yet vivid illustrations render Jackson’s lessons both playful and soothing.
The characters’ facial expressions capture their feelings without needing lots of extra words, making this book especially welcoming to young children.
Parents, teachers, and counselors can use Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings as a springboard for conversations about difficult emotions, particularly with children who are starting school, navigating change, or dealing with anxiety.
Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings by Talar Herculian Coursey and Riley Herculian Coursey guides kids through its memorable strategies with age-appropriate language and a kind, encouraging tone.
An essential read in every home, classroom, and library, Ralphy’s tale will also help adults talk to children in a more thoughtful way. This friendly and concise lesson in an essential life skill comes highly recommended for ages 3–8 and any adult who wants to teach emotional intelligence in a clear and joyful way.
