How can we help kids understand and process their emotions? This episode features Sandra V. Feder, author of the Emotions and Me series, to discuss her latest book, Shy Me. We explore the power of storytelling in helping children navigate their feelings, from anger and shyness to peace and resilience.
Sandra shares how her experiences as a parent and observer of children’s emotions inspired this series. We also discuss how Shy Me encourages young readers to overcome anxiety, and we get a sneak peek into Lonely Me, her upcoming 2026 release!
Shy Me is out now from Groundwood Books.
Got any thoughts on this episode or want to suggest authors you’d like to see on the show? Send me a note here.
If you’d like to get your own copy of Shy Me, you can do so here.
Show highlights
- How Sandra developed the Emotions and Me series and chose which emotions to explore
- The importance of respecting children’s emotional intelligence
- Why giving kids agency over their emotions matters
- The process of working with illustrators to bring emotions to life
- How Shy Me helps children manage social anxiety and build confidence
- Tips for children’s book writers on capturing authentic emotions
- A look ahead at Lonely Me and why loneliness is an important emotion to address
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About Sandra V. Feder
SANDRA V. FEDER is the author of the bestselling Emotions and Me picture book series. Shy Me, the newest book in the series, is illustrated by Ashley Barron. It joins Angry Me and Peaceful Me, a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. Lonely Me is next in 2026.
Sandra also wrote Bitter and Sweet, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker, a PJ Library and New York City Board of Education Mosaic Diversity Program selection; and The Moon Inside, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro, which has been translated into multiple languages. She also authored the Daisy series of early chapter books, illustrated by Susan Mitchell.
Sandra lives in Northern California with her husband and, fun fact, she is a black belt in Taekwondo. She is a graduate of Stanford University and earned a master’s degree in writing for children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
You can find out more about Sandra and Shy Me at www.sandravfeder.com or on social media @sandravfeder.
About Shy Me
In this compassionate exploration of shyness, a child describes feeling shy in a variety of home, social and school situations. These include meeting a new person, being in a crowded place and being on stage for a class performance. Sometimes the child feels shy with friends or when trying to make a new friend.
When feeling shy, the child tries to be brave and identify what might help in each situation. Sometimes it helps to go slowly, find a quiet place or practice for a performance. And sometimes what helps is finding a buddy or noticing that other children feel shy too.
Guest’s links
Follow Sandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandravfeder/
Visit Sandra’s website: https://www.sandravfeder.com/home
Host’s links
Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/
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