"Feelings, feelings, they aren't bad. Happy, angry, even sad."
Set My Feelings Free is a beautifully illustrated picture book that helps children understand and manage their big emotions through engaging rhymes, playful movement, and scientifically backed self-regulation techniques. Inspired by the latest research in child development, this book provides young readers and their caregivers with simple, yet powerful tools--breathing exercises, grounding techniques, visualization, and movement--to work through emotions like anger, frustration, fear, and disappointment. Each verse introduces a different feeling, offering a gentle and empowering way to process it.
The book also serves as a practical resource for parents, teachers, and therapists, featuring an insightful authors' note that explains the neuroscience behind each technique. By normalizing emotional expression and equipping children with calming strategies, Set My Feelings Free fosters emotional intelligence and resilience in young readers. Whether read aloud at bedtime, used in the classroom, or integrated into therapy sessions, this book is a must-have for anyone guiding children through the ups and downs of growing up. Written intentionally to be sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," this picture book can also serve as a mnemonic device to remember the techniques and methods of coping with big feelings in the midst of a meltdown.
Fogel, Jess: -
Jess Fogel is a nurse, artist, and lifestyle photographer with years of experience working with young children. Her background in health care gives her a deep understanding of how emotions impact both the brain and the body, while her artistic perspective helps translate complex concepts into engaging, accessible stories for young readers. She coauthored and illustrated Set My Feelings Free with her husband, Jon Fogel. Together, she and Jon homeschool their four children in the Chicago area and empower families with practical tools.
Fogel, Jon: -
Jon Fogel is the author of Punishment-Free Parenting: A Brain-Based Way to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Voice, a pastor, and a sought-after speaker on parenting, child development, and emotional intelligence. His work focuses on helping parents understand how children's brains develop and how to foster emotional resilience in a way that is both science based and deeply compassionate. Under the handle @WholeParent, Jon's platform has amassed 1.5 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, where he teaches parents how to parent more effectively--with less stress and more success. His work combines modern neuroscience, developmental psychology, counseling, and positive/gentle parenting wisdom, breaking down the science into practical, easy-to-understand strategies for parents. Jon coauthored Set My Feelings Free with his wife, Jess Fogel. Together they homeschool their four children in the Chicago area and empower families with practical tools.
