Felix After the Rain
Srečkov kovček
My 6-year-old has been having some big feelings lately, and we’ve been finding picture books have really helped her, and us, process and discuss what she’s working through. Picture books that are shared, give a family a shared language and shared experiences to fall back on. Felix After the Rain is a great one for that.
Felix After the Rain tells the story of Felix, a boy who carries all his negative feelings around in a suitcase, which grows heavier and heavier, until one day another child opens the suitcase letting all the feelings out. Felix finds himself caught up in a torrent of emotion, forced to reckon with all his pent-up feelings. After the storm settles, he discovers how calm he is and is able to find joy in life again without all those feelings weighing him down.
I like how common situations that cause sadness, anger, and grief are included in the narrative, showing youngsters their feelings are valid. Parent/child discussions about Felix’s situation will further help readers recognize that keeping negative emotions locked up only weighs them down. Letting their feelings grow helps them feel lighter and more joyful.
The whimsical illustrations, which shed their dull gray tones after the emotions are released, in favor of bright pinks, blues, oranges, and yellows, beautifully complement the text.
Felix After the Rain would be a great addition to any classroom, counselor, or home bookshelf in places where emotions are openly explored and discussed.
Title: Felix After the Rain
Author/Illustrator: Dunja JoganTranslated by:
Slovene-English Translator Olivia Hellewell
Publisher: Tiny Owl [2020], originally published in Slovenia [2017]