Big Feelings

By Rebekah Ballagh - Counsellor
A story about understanding emotions and finding calm

Mikah feels sad. Chloe’s feeling angry. Charlie feels anxious. Through their stories, Big Feelings helps tamariki understand that emotions are messages from the heart — and that every feeling has something to tell us.

Written and illustrated by counsellor and author Rebekah Ballagh, this warm, relatable book helps children name what they feel, recognise where emotions show up in their bodies, and learn gentle ways to manage them. With supportive notes and strategies for parents, caregivers, and teachers, it’s a beautiful tool for building emotional literacy together.

How this resource supports our tamariki:
Big Feelings helps kids identify and talk about emotions in everyday life. It offers practical ways to manage big feelings like sadness, anger, or worry, and encourages open kōrero between adults and children — turning emotional ups and downs into opportunities for learning, empathy, and connection.