Publisher’s Book Summary: “Can’t you tell?” said Henry. “This is my angry face!”
When Henry storms into the pasture, Bella, the wise horse, and her wisecracking sidekick, Bird, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Henry is angry and offer better ways to cope.
By the time Henry leaves the pasture, he’s gained new insights, is in better control of his feelings, and has tools to take along with him.
Bella and Bird Explore Anger helps children understand and manage their anger, making it a valuable resource for open and honest conversations about this challenging emotion.
Available for purchase on
Amazon,
Author’s Website,
Oakiebees.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deana Plaskon is an educator, licensed clinical therapist, mom, and author whose enchanting books entertain and inspire children to embrace, process, and manage big emotions and feelings. With a PhD in Education specializing in human behavior, a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a master’s degree in education, Deana has a deeply informed yet engaging approach to children’s stories. Her Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers book series is inspired by her real-life therapy horse Bella, and Bella’s friend Bird, the not-so-common barn swallow. Imbued with Bella’s calm, wise presence and Bird’s cheeky humor, these wonderfully unique children’s books are designed to delight and empower school-age children. These books combine three core elements: engaging storytelling, informed exploration of emotional intelligence, and science-based therapeutic tools. Each story captures children’s imaginations while also giving them powerful, practical tools to succeed.
For more information, visit
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AUTHOR INTERVIEWLife Is What It's Called - Why is it important for children to develop emotional intelligence? And how does your
book help with that?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is an essential life skill. Learning and understanding EQ gives
children the foundation for building healthy relationships, resilience, and self-understanding. Not
only can children (and grown-ups) understand their emotions and feelings and build emotional
literacy, but they can also thrive in an ever-growing complex world. Words are powerful but also
difficult. And children don’t always have the words to express how they feel. My books are tools
with simple, lifelong skills inside each book.
Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and
relationship management. In my books, I include each of these domains through storytelling. For
example, when Henry comes storming into the pasture, Bella and Bird teach him how to
recognize his anger with body clues (self-awareness) and then teach him how to manage his
anger with simple skills such as box breathing (and others). Bella and Bird also teach Henry
social awareness through a conversation about what went wrong when his mom wouldn’t let him
have pie and how to express (using words with the emotion wheel) his feelings. Henry learns that
the emotion of anger and underlying feelings such as being furious is okay; however, his
behavior (how he reacts to not getting his favorite pie) is not okay.
Emotional intelligence (and my books) help children learn about themselves and others, increase
communication skills, build stronger friendships, feel calm and supported, and opens avenues for
stronger learning opportunities.
Life Is What It's Called - What makes your book stand out from others on the market?
My books stand out because they combine research-backed therapeutic strategies with engaging
storytelling, giving children and adults practical tools and skills they can use when emotions feel
overwhelming. Each story opens the door to honest, meaningful conversations between children
and adults, while offering simple, effective techniques tailored to a specific emotion.
A signature feature is the Bella and Bird Emotion Wheel, created exclusively for this series. The
wheel includes feeling words in every “slice,” helping children expand their emotional
vocabulary and strengthen communication between child and adult. And the emotion wheel is
great for adults, too!
What truly sets these books apart is the perspective behind them. I’m a mom, educator, licensed
clinical mental health counselor, and expert in human behavior, and blend my professional
expertise with my heart as a parent.
Life Is What It's Called - What is your favorite sentence in this book and why?
I love this question! My favorite sentence in the Bella and Bird Explore Anger book is: “Can’t
you tell?” said Henry. “This is my angry face!”
It makes me laugh every time I read it because it’s so true to life! When we’re upset, we often
want everyone around us to see it. Children do it, and let’s be honest, adults do it, too! Behind
the humor, though, is something important: emotions are like signals that inform others that
something is going on. Sometimes those signals are an invitation to be heard, understood and
validated. And sometimes they’re just passing clouds that don’t need a spotlight. Not every
emotion and feeling need to be recognized or fixed; and that’s okay. The important part is
learning which needs attention, and which ones we can simply let drift by.
Life Is What It's Called - How do you see this book being used in homes, classrooms, and libraries?
At the heart of my book series is the idea that emotional intelligence grows best when adults
model healthy responses, thereby helping children build empathy skills, and inviting ongoing
conversations about emotions and feelings. That’s the connection of how my books can be used
in homes, classrooms, and libraries.
- In homes, parents can read to (and with) their children, pausing to talk about how Bella,
Bird, or a character responds to an emotion and those underlying feelings. This not only
opens honest conversations but allows parents to model these skills, too. For example, a
parent might say, “When I feel angry like Henry, I take three slow breaths. What do you
do?” And modeling in real-time shows children what emotional regulation looks like in
everyday life.
- In classrooms, my books give teachers language and tools to normalize conversations
about emotions and feelings. A teacher could use Bella and Bird Explore Fear (coming
out in 2026) before a spelling test by modeling a breathing exercise with the class. This
not only helps students manage their own anxiety but also teaches them to notice and
respect how others might be feeling.
- In libraries, they can have emotional intelligence corners or displays where themes
centered on emotional intelligence and emotional literacy can be shared. For example, my
emotion wheel can be displayed as a colorful spinning wheel where children can easily
spin and share feelings related to an emotion.
Also, my books can be used by therapists, too. They can read my books to or with clients and use
them as conversation starters (for both children and adults). My books can also be used as
homework between sessions. Therapists can also model the skills in my books and use them
together in family therapy sessions by inviting parents and children into the story and helping
them learn the skills together.
By weaving modeling and introducing open conversations about emotions and feelings, my
books create opportunities to not only talk but practice the skills in each book together.
Life Is What It's Called -What would you like the readers to know about you as an author?
I’d love readers to know that my work comes from the perspective of being a mom, educator,
and a licensed clinical mental health counselor. I’ve spent years researching, writing, and
learning about human behavior including emotions and feelings. I’ve also lived through the real,
everyday moments of parenting where emotions and feelings ebb and flow throughout the day.
Having a book series with researched backed tools mixed with open, honest conversations so
parents and children can learn together should be in every home.
At the heart of my books is a simple belief: emotions and feelings are meant to be explored, not
ignored. But there’s a balance with teaching about emotions and feelings, too. While we don’t
want to sweep them under the rug or over-coddle children, too, we do want to help them learn
that emotional intelligence (and the skills in my books) can help children grow into healthy,
resilient people by giving them lifelong skills. It’s about planting those little bird seeds they can
use every day.
I also want families, teachers, therapists, and kids to see that talking about emotions and feelings
can be practical, relatable and fun. Yup, I take emotions and feelings seriously but never without
laughter (Bird wouldn’t allow that anyway!).
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win one of ten signed hardcover editions of
Bella and Bird Explore Anger! One grand prize winner will also take home a unique, handcrafted Bella and Bird book pillow.
Bella and Bird Explore Anger: Book Giveaway .jpeg)
