Does your child ever struggle to put words to what they are feeling? They are not alone, and this warm, playful picture book is here to help. Meet Ziggy, a zany little zebra with the most expressive face on the whole savanna. From the moment Ziggy wakes up, the feelings come fast and all at once: wiggly excitement, quiet worry, fizzy joy, and everything in between. As Ziggy bounces through the day, each animal friend, including the gentle Gogo, the curious Pip, the speedy Duma, and the loyal Biscuit, notices something different written across Ziggy's face. Together, they help Ziggy find the right words for every feeling hiding there.
By the time the sun dips below the savanna horizon, Ziggy has discovered something wonderful: every feeling has its own face, and every face has an important story worth telling.
This book was written to give children ages 4 to 8 a safe, joyful way to explore emotional self-awareness. When children can recognize and name what they feel, they gain a superpower that helps them in friendships, in school, and at home. Research in social-emotional learning consistently shows that naming emotions is one of the first and most powerful steps toward emotional regulation and resilience.
What parents and caregivers love about this book:
- Vibrant, expressive illustrations that invite children to read faces and mirror emotions
- A diverse cast of lovable animal characters set against a rich savanna backdrop
- Simple, read-aloud language that is perfectly pitched for preschool through early elementary
- A built-in conversation starter at every page turn, making it easy to ask "Have you ever felt like Ziggy?"
- Rooted in SEL best practices, supporting school readiness and emotional vocabulary growth
- A gentle, affirming message: all feelings are valid, and you are never alone in yours
Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom story time, or any quiet moment when a child needs to feel seen and understood. Teachers, school counselors, and therapists working with young children will find this book a natural fit for lessons on self-awareness and emotional literacy.
What Does Ziggy Feel Today? is part of the JP Creative Publishing SEL Adventures series, a growing collection of picture books designed to build the whole child, one story at a time.
Add it to your cart today and give your child the words they have been looking for.
