The Island Where Feelings Grow

A magical, body-based story that helps children understand emotions, one feeling at a time. When school feels too hard and emotions grow too big, Ollie runs away - only to discover a magical floating island where a wise owl teaches animals how to notice, name, and listen to their feelings. As each animal reacts differently to a surprising pink elephant, Ollie learns something powerful: feelings show up in our bodies before we understand them in our minds. A racing heart, tight muscles, curious questions, quiet calm - every feeling has a message, and every body speaks its own language. Written by occupational therapist Bengisu Gonul, The Island Where Feelings Grow gently supports children in: Noticing body sensations connected to emotions Naming feelings with curiosity and confidence Understanding that all emotions are safe and meaningful Building empathy for themselves and others Perfect for ages 5-12, this beautifully illustrated storybook supports social-emotional learning (SEL), body awareness, and emotional regulation at home, in classroom, or in therapy settings. With reflective prompts and a simple body-mapping activity at the end, this book invites meaningful conversations and shared moments of connection. This is more than a story, it's an invitation to grow where feelings live.