Helping Children Understand Their Emotions

Author: Anne-Marie Barton

I am a children’s author, SEN/PDA tutor, and family support worker, passionate about helping children understand and manage their emotions. Through my work with young people and families, I have seen how important it is for children to feel heard, supported, and equipped with the tools to navigate their feelings.

I created Benji the Beagle's Big Feelings to offer a gentle and relatable way for children to explore big emotions. Through Benji’s experiences, each story focuses on a different feeling—from worry and anger to bravery and kindness—helping children recognise their emotions and learn positive ways to respond.

My books are designed for children aged 5–12 and can be used at home, in schools, or in therapeutic settings. I aim to create stories that are warm, reassuring, and practical, supporting children to build confidence, resilience, and emotional awareness.

Through storytelling, my goal is to help every child understand that all feelings are valid—and that with the right support, they can learn to manage them safely and confidently.