Dragons on the Inside: (And Other Big Feelings)

Inner feelings aren’t always visible on the outside. Dragons on the Inside (And Other Big Feelings) validates young children’s emotions and helps them recognise, describe, and cope when they are anxious or overwhelmed on the inside.

Dragons stomp and breathe fire, roller coasters swoop and swirl, and bats stare from a dark, damp cave. These imaginative descriptions offer children multiple ways for describing their emotion and help them build an inner feelings vocabulary, which boosts emotional intelligence. For children who struggle to recognise their emotions, including some kids with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or other processing disorders, it can be especially useful to see another child work through their inner battles and how people “on the outside” can help ease stressful situations.

Throughout the book, readers see the main character’s initial inner reaction to a stressful situation and how it is diffused or diminished through a small act of connection by someone “on the outside.”

A section for adults provides additional activities to use with children to reinforce the book’s message.

Download File

"The delightful and engaging book Dragons on the Inside gives children powerful words and a voice for the feelings they are having inside. With resources in the back, it’s a must-have for every elementary classroom interested in social and emotional learning (SEL) and any parent interested in connecting with the mental health of their child."
- Sheryl Zimmerer, parent, educator, and school administrator

"Full of energy, this vibrant, insightful book will help children identify and understand emotions, and learn how to calm them."
- Judy Cox, author