Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy

$21.99
A beautifully imaginative way to explore emotions, Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy is a collection of 24 picture poems that connect feelings to the natural world. Each poem pairs an animal with an emotion, using vivid sensory imagery to spark curiosity and encourage young readers to see their emotions from a fresh perspective. From the “Mosquito of Worry” and “Snail of Anticipation” to the “Hummingbird of Happiness” and “Lanternfish of Love,” these poems range from lighthearted to serious, reflecting the full spectrum of human emotions. Featuring a diverse array of creatures—mammals, reptiles, insects, birds, and more—this book encourages metaphorical thinking and emotional awareness. Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers, Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy offers a unique way to foster social-emotional learning, helping children recognize, name, and understand their feelings in a creative and meaningful way.
A beautifully imaginative way to explore emotions, Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy is a collection of 24 picture poems that connect feelings to the natural world. Each poem pairs an animal with an emotion, using vivid sensory imagery to spark curiosity and encourage young readers to see their emotions from a fresh perspective. From the “Mosquito of Worry” and “Snail of Anticipation” to the “Hummingbird of Happiness” and “Lanternfish of Love,” these poems range from lighthearted to serious, reflecting the full spectrum of human emotions. Featuring a diverse array of creatures—mammals, reptiles, insects, birds, and more—this book encourages metaphorical thinking and emotional awareness. Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers, Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy offers a unique way to foster social-emotional learning, helping children recognize, name, and understand their feelings in a creative and meaningful way.

  • Hardcover, 8.75x9.75, 12oz, 32 pages

  • "A creative and unique way to explore poetry and emotions with young children. Austin’s poems are short but insightful. Her language is lively and engaging. Each painting uses a bold, often primary color scheme in a setting that connects the animal to its corresponding poem. The illustrator also alternates between full-page images and smaller ones that make good use of white space." - Kirkus Review

    Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy is a collection of twenty-four picture poems that explores the realm of human emotion. Each poem links an animal with an emotion and uses sensory imagery to spark childlike wonder, paint word pictures to ponder, and see the world from a new perspective.

    Elephant of Sadness, Butterfly of Joy evokes metaphoric thinking in young readers. From the “Mosquito of Worry” and “Snail of Anticipation” to the “Hummingbird of Happiness” and “Lanternfish of Love,” the poems vary in tone—some light, some dark, some humorous, and some serious. The animals represent a diversity of species, including mammals, reptiles, cephalopods, mollusks, fish, insects, arachnids, and birds.

    Whether hopeful, frustrated, surprised, or content, these picture poems help illustrate the emotional spectrum that encompasses the human experience and bridge a gap in understanding so that children are better equipped to label their feelings.

    For teachers, parents, and caregivers, the poems open space for discussions about social-emotional learning, which, now more than ever, are needed conversations.

    About the Author
    Patricia Austin is the author of one other children’s book, The Cat Who Loved Mozart (illustrated by Henri Sorenson), winner of the Muse Award from the Cat Writers’ Association. A long-time elementary teacher and a professor of children’s literature, she has published a teaching memoir, Tales From a Teaching Life: Vignettes in Verse. She is passionate about books and reading as well as nurturing creativity in young people. She lives in New Orleans with her cats. You can visit her at www.patriciaaustinwrites.com.

    Megan Elizabeth Baratta is a children's book illustrator and winner of the School Library Journal's inaugural 2022 Endies Award for Best Map. She lives in central New York with her husband, daughter, and three cats. She loves rendering scenes of ordinary life and showing their quiet beauty. Her books include Most Days, I Begin With Spring, and The Secret Stream. You can visit her at www.barattastudio.com.