Friends and Feelings - (Exploring Emotions) by Radka Piro (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A Fun First-Day of School Book About Emotions, Empathy & Coping Skills for Kids!

Starting nursery can be exciting--and a little scary. Friends and Feelings: Exploring Emotions follows Jack on his very first day, where he experiences a whirlwind of emotions from nervousness to joy. Through relatable situations and gentle storytelling, this interactive picture book helps children ages 3-6 understand and express their feelings.

Each spread presents a thoughtful sequence: Situation + Explanation + Options for Coping, giving kids the tools to name their emotions and explore healthy ways to respond. With expressive illustrations and sturdy pages perfect for little hands, this book is a meaningful resource for building emotional intelligence and confidence.

Whether your child is starting school, meeting new friends, or simply learning to navigate big feelings, this book offers comfort, clarity, and connection.

• Emotional Learning Made Simple - Helps kids recognize and talk about feelings in everyday situations using a clear and supportive framework to guide emotional growth.


• Interactive Format - Engaging scenarios and coping strategies support social-emotional development.


• Durable & Kid-Friendly Design - Heavy card stock pages are ideal for repeated reading and classroom use.


• Relatable Storytelling - Jack's journey mirrors the ups and downs of real-life preschool experiences.


• CBC Recognition - Selected for the Children's Book Council's "Hot Off the Press" Reading List (September 2024).

For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children's books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.

Review Quotes

Selected for The Children's Book Council's September 2024 "Hot Off The Press" Reading List

"I appreciate how the author approached feelings that may appear when a child first enters a new space and meets new people. I love seeing the various emotions that Jack encounters and the way he decides to cope with those feelings. This book not only lets you see how Jack handles his emotions but provides various ways to cope with different feelings and then explains why someone might feel that way. I love that this book provides children with words for the feelings that they may encounter and other scenarios in which those feelings may arise. Final Verdict: Friends and Feelings is part of a book series that teaches children to explore various emotions in ways that are appropriate for children 3 and up. This book is great to read with children as they go to school or with a group of children during the first week of class. This book allows for conversations about feelings and lets children offer examples of what helps them through different situations." --Adrien Guerra, YA Books Central

About the Author

Radka Piro is a bookworm, a passionate traveler, and a creative storyteller. After studying foreign languages, she set out to explore the distant corners of the world and discover her true purpose. Now, she is a successful writer and editor, based in the Czech Republic.

Katia Gaigalova was born in 1992 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany. In 2015 she got a degree in ethnography and folk arts. Drawing used to be just a hobby for her, but little by little, it became an important part of her life. She attended classes in academic drawing, design, and computer graphics to learn more about illustration and has created her own style. She has been working as a freelance illustrator since 2018, bringing pages of children's magazines and books to life with her drawings. In her free time, she enjoys photography, long walks, and exploring new places. Modern graphics, animation, and music are her main source of inspiration, as well as beautiful children's books.