When I Feel Jealous

Plot Summary

A bear cub describes situations that make her jealous: when someone has something she wants, when someone is good at something she wants to be good at, and when someone else gets all the attention. "Jealousy is a prickly, hot, horrible feeling. I don't like feeling jealous, but—everybody feels jealous sometimes." The little bear finds ways to make herself feel better—she talks to someone about how she feels and then does something pleasant—and soon the jealous feeling goes away. An author's note for parents and teachers is included.

Reviews

"Children will be reassured to see that what they experience is universal and can be handled. The simple watercolor illustrations are appealing, and the cub's facial expressions reflect her feelings perfectly. A note to parents and teachers provides suggestions for helping youngsters deal with jealousy. Perfect for units and discussions on feelings." School Library Journal

The sympathetic portrayal of common childhood experiences and the simplicity of the narrative make the information and advice accessible, even to preschoolers. Spelman addresses parents and teachers in a note, discussing how to help children acknowledge and deal with jealousy. With Parkinson's appealing illustrations of dressed animals putting a child-friendly face on the message, this is a good title for school and public libraries to have on hand." Booklist

Associated Keywords
jealousy, emotions, emotion, envy, feelings, feeling, sharing