"Each feeling described here—gratitude, envy, nostalgia and the like—takes the shape of a quirky monster. A few of the creatures resemble hedgehogs or owls; some have rounded noses and others pointed ones . . . We see Bliss zonked out in an oversize armchair, its frilled ears splayed wide and a beatific smile on its little gray face. Envy wears a spiteful expression as it crushes flowers underfoot . . . [The book’s creators] suggest that while children should beware the negative feelings that lurk within, they should remember that positive emotions are there too, ready to kindle an inner light when no one’s looking."
—Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal
"This is a uniquely beautiful and original book. The extraordinary illustrations, done mostly in shades of gray with just occasional color, are more than perfect in picturing the concepts of the book . . .The words are so lovingly rendered with the illustrations."
—Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review, Starred Review
"[Aleksandra Zając's] crisp, fine lines and gray-tone palette (with subtle touches of coral, sky blue and sage) ensure that even the more volatile emotions, such as Anger, won't frighten the youngest readers . . . This is a picture book filled with surprises . . . Oziewicz has a startlingly succinct and evocative way of capturing these feelings . . . What Feelings Do When No One's Looking will prompt thoughtful conversations about the wide range of feelings a person can experience. It's exactly the sort of book that . . . all children need."
—Julie Danielson, BookPage
"This gentle book explores feelings ranging from joy and anger, nostalgia and compassion, longing and bliss. Oziewicz’s thought- provoking text paired with Zając’s softly rendered troupe of creatures encourage readers to identify their complex feelings and consider what feelings do to and for us."
—School Library Journal
"What Feelings Do When No One's Looking offers pandemic-weary children the opportunity to make sense of the complicated emotions they may be feeling and concrete examples of the feelings they wish to foster, such as joy, kindness, courage, calm, and compassion."
—Mary Ann Cappiello and Erika Thulin Dawes, Text Sets and Trade Books
"A unique picture book of surprises . . . What Feelings Do When No One's Looking will prove to be an enduringly popular, fun, and unique addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."
—Midwest Book Review
"I am captivated by this book. It is beautifully executed, with thoughtful words and exquisite illustrations. The charming creatures are engaging and invite reflection and conversation. I think this is a book that belongs in every school library, public library, and therapist collection in addition to being in family homes. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is so touching that I find myself returning to it repeatedly. I will definitely be adding it to my list of gift books."
—Ellen Cutter, Bookseller at Magic Tree Children's Books
"What Feelings Do When No One's Looking provides an intimate look at what our emotions are doing when we aren't experiencing them . . . The art stands out for me . . . its soothing grays calm the psyche and invite the observer to be at peace with each emotion, regardless of positive or negative connotation. Some children's picture books leave a discernible feeling of serenity; this was one of those."
—Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk
"The sparely detailed gray or pale-hued drawings and even sparer text create soothing visual and verbal rhythms as pages turn . . . A nuanced, ruminative alternative to the general run of more limited, toddler-aimed emotional palettes."
—Kirkus Reviews
"What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking is a lovely book that explores all kinds of feelings—those that are pleasant to feel and those that aren’t so much, those that are clear as day and others that are more nuanced. Each feeling is represented as a fun little creature, and the thoughtful sentiments throughout leave room for conversation with young readers. A wonderful way to encourage open dialogue about feelings."
—Mary Wahlmeier Bracciano, Raven Book Store
"What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking is truly a masterpiece! A children’s story that inspires us to feel. Every single feeling is articulated beautifully with illustrations that reflect it perfectly. A must read!"
—Momma Braga
"[Aleksandra Zając's] crisp, fine lines and gray-tone palette (with subtle touches of coral, sky blue and sage) ensure that even the more volatile emotions, such as Anger, won't frighten the youngest readers . . . This is a picture book filled with surprises . . . Oziewicz has a startlingly succinct and evocative way of capturing these feelings . . . What Feelings Do When No One's Looking will prompt thoughtful conversations about the wide range of feelings a person can experience. It's exactly the sort of book that . . . all children need."
—Julie Danielson, BookPage
"Freedom sets sail on the wide sea. Compassion carefully helps snails across sidewalks. Envy tramples as many beautiful things it can find . . .Through these and numerous other examples, the truth about feelings is gently, positively conveyed, making What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking an amazing and important book."
—Kendal Rautzhan, Books to Borrow . . . Books to Buy
"The book’s spreads often include only one-liners, offering space for delightful art that extends the meaning of the text . . . Readers will give thanks for this thought-provoking read."
—Chris Stuckenschneider, Book Buddy
"This beautifully designed book features illustrations by Aleksandra Zając of floppy-eared creatures who bring a range of emotions to life . . . Children ages 3-7 will love this book."
—Jen Kraar, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "7 Books to Give to Readers on Your List This Holiday”
2022-04-27
In this Polish import, emotions take on physical form to express their various natures.
Designed not so much to evoke feelings as to quiet them, the sparely detailed gray or pale-hued drawings and even sparer text create soothing visual and verbal rhythms as pages turn. Beginning with Curiosity, who “always climbs as high as possible—to the treetop, the roof, or the chimney,” 31 emotions, depicted mostly as rotund, furry creatures with small ears and expressive faces, engage in some telling activity described in a brief sentence or two. Some connections aren’t always obvious (readers may puzzle over “Love is an electrician,” for instance, opposite a figure steadying an outsized light bulb), but most are clear, such as “Calm pets a dog,” “Insecurities build cages,” and “Anxiety juggles.” (Zając effectively sharpens this last by putting the beleaguered juggler atop a wobbly unicycle.) Overall there is a subdued, even benign tone to the recitation that not even Hate, presented as a scowling beast chewing through “links and cables” to prevent others from communicating, and porcupinelike Anger, bellowing across two pages, can interrupt. In the final lines Oziewicz properly shrugs off all the personification to ask, “And where does all this live?” and answer: “In us.” A shadowy image in a mirror offers a friendly wave in the final image. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A nuanced, ruminative alternative to the general run of more limited, toddler-aimed emotional palettes. (Picture book. 6-8)
