Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo: Alphabet, Feelings, and Friends by Kim Larkins {Children’s Book Review}

Continue reading for our review of Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo: Alphabet, Feelings, and Friends, and see why we think this will be a good parenting resource!

Disclosure: I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

Emma Lou and Pearl return with some old and new friends in Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo: Alphabet, Feelings and Friends. Join them as they experience, through a collection of whimsical rhymes, a wide range of emotions. From A to Z, Emma Lou and Pearl invite children to bring emotions to life and provide reassurance that all feelings are expected and accepted.

To cope with our changing world during this vulnerable time in our history, children now more than ever need to feel free to express their fears, worries and joys. Alphabet, Feelings and Friends is a resource for parents, educators and mental health workers to assist children in developing meaningful discussions and insight into their present experiences.

“In a short period of time, readers–and the adults who care for them–can review the brightly colored pages of this alphabet book. This A-Z guide provides rich examples of social and emotional growth experiences for children that can be utilized at home, in the classroom or at therapy spaces.”
— Theresa Fraser, CYC-P, CPT-S, RP, MA, RTC, author of We’re Not All the Same, But We’re Family

“Kim Larkins has written a sweet book that introduces young children to 26 emotions that align with each letter of the alphabet. She uses animal characters, rhymes and fanciful pictures as the vehicle for describing that mindful activities can influence how one feels.”
— Laurie Zelinger, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author, former director: New York Association for Play Therapy

“With delightful illustrations and lovely rhymes, this book is a must for any educator, parent or caregiver who wants to help children learn about and manage their emotions. Don’t miss this opportunity to journey through the alphabet with delightful pups Emma Lou and Pearl and discover a little mindfulness too!”
— Kellie Doyle Bailey, MA CCC-SLP, MMT/SELI, author of Some Days I Flip My Lid, Some Nights I Flip My Lid – Learning to be Calm Cool Kids.

“This book is an interesting resource to be used with one or more children as part of an educational or therapeutic process. It supports children in start learning how to recognize and manage feelings. I appreciate the background message implying, and somehow inviting to consider, that in difficult times we are not alone and we can rely on others. The use of the rhymes makes the text involving and pleasant to be read (or listened) out loud.”
— Isabella Cassina, MA, TP-S, CAGS, PhD Student, INA International Academy for Play Therapy studies and PsychoSocial Project

From Loving Healing Press

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   GPlay   Kobo   Barnes and Noble   Paperback   Hardback   Audible

Also available in audio!

Enjoy these beautiful excerpts…

Updated review!!! I now have a physical, paperback copy and wow, let me tell you what a difference that makes! It’s almost like reading an entirely different book! I had to come back and update my review to better reflect the book!

Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo: Alphabet, Feelings and Friends is 28 pages (full pages). Each page contains a letter of the alphabet, a friend who’s name and animal start with that letter, AND, what I feel is an added bonus, is a feeling that starts with that letter (I will give a pass for X, but hey, it was quite creative!)

Children books like this are right up my alley! The creativity is superb! It rhymes (one of my favorite things) and, on top of that, the feelings are are shared with physical and physiological feelings AND, again, an added bonus; a way to help someone with those feelings. If you are angry, breathing in and out slowly will help you feel peaceful; if you need a pick me up, hum a merry tune; breathing slowly and dreaming of you and me can help you when you are frightened.

Each page shares different emotions – some that are not the common happy, mad, or sad. We are talking big emotions, what those emotions are, how to handle the emotion.

I don’t know many kids (myself included) that would sit down and read through this entire book – alone or with a parent – but that is okay! I think this would be a great book to read with your child (or have them read alone) a page or two each day. I also feel like this is a great book to keep on hand, easily accessible, for your non-verbal children or children just learning and exploring their feelings. When they are feeling a certain way, they can reference this book to show someone how they are feeling and if it is anger, fear, nervous, or something else; they can practice what is in the book to help relieve those not so good feelings (or practice one of the good feelings!)

It really is such a cute book for older children, but can really be a useful tool for younger kids or kids with special needs. (I specifically think of my little elementary aged friend who has Autism. He has trouble with feelings and cannot always verbalize. I feel like this book would be perfect for him and his parents! I will definitely be gifting them a copy!)

About the author
Kim Larkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice. For the past thirty years, Kim has dedicated her career working with children and families in the mental health and human services field. Most recently, Kim has worked in educational settings focused on the development of mindfulness skills in the classroom. Research shows that mindfulness in education improves attention, emotional regulation, compassion for self and others, and overall well-being for both students and teachers. Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo will introduce parents, therapists, educators and children to some of the many benefits of a mindfulness practice.

Kim has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maine. She is also licensed in Maine where she works and lives. Kim has two adult children, Sarah and Theron and two grandchildren, Guyer and Giavanna. She enjoys travel, music, quilting, and the serenity and pleasures found in nature. You can contact her by email at kimlarkinslcsw@gmail.com or on Facebook @kim.larkins.author.

You can also follow the author here…
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Pinterest   YouTube   Goodreads   Amazon

Also available by the author
Emma Lou the Yorkie Poo: Breathing in the Calm