Kim T.S. is the author of the Feeling All My Feelings books, a series that teaches children and adults how to understand, accept, and overcome even the most difficult feelings.
As the mom of a 7-year-old boy who used to struggle with big feelings, Kim tries to practice conscious parenting, setting loving but firm boundaries that help kids learn and grow without shame or fear.
By sharing these messages through her books, Kim hopes to encourage parents to nurture their children to understand and cope with their feelings.
In this Q&A, Kim talks about her inspiration for writing this series and what she has learned throughout this journey.
1. What inspired you to write this series?
My son used to struggle with big feelings, especially anger. When he was 3 years old, I decided to write a book to help him through his tantrums because he loved to read. Whenever he’d get upset, he’d ask me to read the book with him and it would help him calm down.
When I realized how powerful books can be, I decided to turn that story into a series. I want to help kids and parents understand that all feelings are okay. We just need to find healthy ways of expressing them.
2. Tell us a bit about each book and why you chose that particular feeling to discuss.
The first book is Feeling All My Feelings, which talks about the common emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, bravery, anger, shyness, and disgust. The main message there (and throughout the series) is that there are no bad feelings, only wrong behaviors. So no matter how we feel, we can choose what to do about it.
The next books explore Anger, Fear, Worry, and Grief. I have another one coming soon about Shyness. We talk about the reasons behind these feelings. They’re there to protect us or to tell us something. But feelings are meant to be temporary, so we need to learn to let them go.
I chose to focus on difficult feelings because both kids and adults struggle with these, and we need to accept them as a normal part of life. At the same time, we need to empower kids by helping them realize that they can manage their feelings and that they are in control of their choices.
I also plan to write about the more positive feelings such as Joy and Gratitude to balance out the series. I want to shed light on how all the positive and difficult feelings work together to bring us a full human experience.
3. What do you want to tell readers with your stories and what kind of feedback have you received?
I’m humbled by the positive feedback I’ve received from parents and teachers about how the books have helped them and their children navigate big feelings.
My most important realization throughout this journey is that it’s always about relationships. When we just focus on the child, we lose sight of our own role in the situation. Kids need us to teach them through example. When we manage our own emotions, they learn that big feelings don’t scare us, and that it’s possible to overcome them.
4. How do the illustrations complement the text?
I created animal characters in all shapes and sizes so that each child could find someone to relate to. My son, Kyle, helped me think of the characters, and they’re all named after his cousins. I illustrate relatable situations and examples that elaborate on the text, and I show many important lessons through the drawings.
I also include an adorable sidekick, Tiny the Mouse, in all the books. She’s there as a loyal friend who helps each of the characters with her constant presence. She also stars in her own book, Feeling All My Grief, and all the characters come to support her as well.
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