In this whimsical picture book, a misunderstood girl with overwhelming emotions creates an origami boat and journeys to sea where she can feel free. Fans of Where the Wild Things Are will adore this fantastical tale of big feelings and boundless imagination.
Nunu doesn't understand, so when her emotions feel too big for her, she makes her boat out of paper origami and sails away. Out at sea, she navigates somewhere new and with the help of her origami friends, she is able to mend what is broken and find her way home.
With exquisite, immersive illustrations, this near-wordless picture book is an ode to big emotions, origami, and the hope inside all of us.---from the publisher
48 pages 978-0593812723 Ages 4-8
Keywords: dealing with emotions, dealing with feelings, origami, journeys, big feelings, imagination, escape, self calming, Social Emotional Learning, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old
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I wonder how many of our young ones have the feeling they are different because they get so overwhelmed by their big feelings. It may seem to them that no one else feels that way and also that no one can possibly understand how they feel much less help them.
Our young friend Nunu "doesn't understand." She walks into the shadows of her bedroom and she is raging with feelings. Surrounded by her calm and peaceful bed and desk, she feels her chest pound and her head burn. Nunu is feeling such big feelings and she has no idea how to manage them. The feelings are running the show.
Until, Nunu decides to get herself out of this show. Using the power of her imagination, she sets forth on a journey and she isn't going alone either.
It's hard to talk to children about big feelings but this gorgeous picture book can do the talking for us. We can go along with Nunu and we can begin to feel the feelings shift.
This would make a great read aloud to elementary students who deal with big feelings every day. Let's show them we understand how they feel. Let's show them the images of their big feelings so they "get" that everyone knows these feelings and has to figure out how to manage them. Show them that there is a next. There is a time when the feelings have calmed.
A lovely book to help our young ones with big feelings.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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Other reviews:
"Nunu reminds all of us that emotions can feel as big and as vast as the sea--if we hold tightly and sail on, the way forward becomes clear."--Cori Doerrfeld, author-illustrator of The Rabbit Listened
"A powerful journey through the highs and lows of emotions, reminding us all of the strength found in rebuilding ourselves."--Cindy Derby, Caldecott honoree
