In our daily lives, emotions have a significant role, molding our experiences and interactions (Gabriel and Gardner 5). Emotions like joy, sadness, fear, anger, disgust are brought to life in the movies ‘Inside Out 1 and 2’ as perfectly portrayed by the movies. Penguin India got inspired by these films; hence they shared a list titled Book recommendations. These books capture different feelings and offer insights on how one can manage them at any age. There are various tools for helping children understand their emotions or adults get more deeply into their emotional state of mind with precious books that come in handy. Here is a list of book recommendations for kids and adults based on the emotions explored in Inside Out 1 and 2.
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1. Joy
‘Guess How Much I Love You’
Sam McBratney’s timeless tale with tender watercolor illustrations by Anita Jeram speaks to both children and adults alike. How much does the little rabbit love his father? Guess How Much I Love You is Sam McBratney’s story that shows affection between a parent and his/her child. The way love touches my heart so deeply is beautifully illustrated in this paper. We think this love is infinite but expressing it becomes difficult for us. Now young readers can enjoy this expanded board-book edition of an all-time favorite.
2. Fear
The Prisoner of Bhopal: Ages 9+
Amir has always had dreams of working in one of the modern space-age pesticide factories found in Bhopal where he grows up (Lloyd 79). Instead, on his tenth birthday he was forcibly separated from his family and taken to work at Mr Kumar’s run-down print works with Jalesh, his cruel son who was also present there when Amir found an old suitcase containing world war one diary wrapped inside it (Lloyd 98). As the pages came alive, it was discovered that Amir was there because he and the author of the diary were one and the same person; his great grand father, Sanjeev. The book’s purpose remains a mystery throughout, until one fateful night when a poison gas leak occurs from a pesticide factory in Bhopal…
3. Sadness
“Counting by 7” – 10+ years old
In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is a deeply moving middle-grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family. Willow Chance is twelve years old and has always felt comfortable when she found number seven. It’s never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents. But that did not stop her from leading an untroubled life full of happiness…until now. This is a tragic turn in Willow’s life as she loses both parents in car crash leaving behind alone in a world which makes no sense at all. But it is not a tragedy; this very odd yet cute girl has overcome her sorrow. Finding another fascinatingly diverse yet utterly believable surrogate family becomes her journey to happiness as well as ours through reading.
4. Anger
“Grumpy Monkey”
His name is Jim Panzi. He’s in a bad mood. Nothing feels wrong! There was nothing to be done, he just didn’t know why …his friends just couldn’t get it – how could he be in the mood on such a beautiful day? ? they had many ideas on how to cheer him up. But Jim couldn’t take any of that advice …and had something of a breakdown. Did he need one day to lose his temper completely? This modern classic serves as the perfect reminder that “Grumpy Monkey” does not last long.
5. Jealousy
“You will become something wonderful”
In this timeless poem about growing up, Emily Winfield Martin explores all the things you can choose to be brave and bold or creative and wise. It’s filled with lovely, strange pictures as well as cleverly read-aloud rhymes; adults will read this to kids at any age, thinking of what they might become in future fondly with their little awesome children. As children grow and change, its enduring message of love and acceptance is both universal and poignant ,and deserves to be shared again and again.
6. Embarrassment
“The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks”
She is not only starting high school without any friends for amazing curly hair but has also recently discovered that she has very little breasts which cannot fit into a bra! She may as well call it quits right now and hybernate with her hamsters Sir Barnaby Squickington and Furball III Lottie faces what it means to grow up in this new illustrated teen series full of friendship, embarrassing moments and – Kit Kats – surely!
The first book in a hilarious new children’s series from the creator of the bestselling Hurray For Gin. Perfect for fans of Angus Thongs And Perfect Snogging Dork Diaries.
7. Boredom
“A most unladylike murder”
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they can’t find any really good mysteries to solve. (Apart from Lavinia losing her tie. Still not a mystery.) Then Miss Bell, the science teacher is found dead in the gym by Hazel.
8. Anxiety
“The Miscalculation of Lightning Girl” is suitable for children over 10 years old
An electrical discharge gives her superpowers… but even geniuses are unable to cope with school problems. This smart and witty novel is great for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish, Reign of Rain and Counting Seven. A lightning strike changes Lucy Callahan’s life forever. She doesn’t remember it, but a bolt has made her into an idiot savant math genius, who was then homeschooled ever since then. Now that she is twelve years old she would technically be ready for college if she could just pass one simple test – middle school! One year of middle school Lucy’s grandma insisted: 1 friend made; 1 event attended; 0 textbooks read (the book must not be a math one!). Lucy wasn’t sure what a girl who did calculus homework for fun would learn in seventh grade. At home she had everything she needed; no one dared to tease her about being too strict or too brainy. The equation that is Lucy’s life has been solved. Or maybe there was some miscalculations? Stacy McAnulty’s intelligent and poignant debut middle-grade novel reminds readers about friendship. By showing us how to make our lives richer by embracing the things that make us special and unique.