Wild Feelings

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 9, 2016

Review

Younger readers are educated about how universal and influential feelings can be from the front cover where a child clad in a lion costume, with eyes screwed shut is yelling "Feelings" to the final pages where adults experience that same phenomenon. Milgram's signature minimalist style explores the confusing, out-of-control way feelings affect us in a humorous, spot-on way. In an interactive style, the reader is asked "Do you ever feel....stubborn as a mule,...chicken as a chicken,...clumsy as an ox or feel totally out of control". Each feeling is presented on a two page spread with lots of white space. A variety of children dressed in the corresponding costumes elicit the understanding and empathy of the reader. A blue pet bird is released during the clumsy ox episode and the pet appears on each spread after that as a visual tie-in. The ending finds the child frolicking outside au natural with the birdie. Useful for preschool themes of self-identity and feelings, as well a humorous browsing.

Overall Book Score: very good