Squirrel Draws Big Feelings

4.3

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Author(s)

Erin Dealey

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Luciana Navarro Powell

Publisher Name

Beaming Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

April 07, 2026

ISBN13

979-8889832102

ISBN10 or ASIN

"Uh-oh! Sometimes, when Squirrel felt BIG feelings, he couldn't stop racing around."

Squirrel feels squirrelly all the time! Porcupine gets the pricklies when things don't go the way she expects them to. And Bear only knows how to express his feelings ROARfully.

When Squirrel is having a hard time controlling his emotions and his body, his squirrelly behavior causes such a commotion that Porcupine gets all prickly and Bear has a ROARful day. No one is having fun and everyone is overwhelmed. Until Squirrel turns to chalk art to express his big feelings: "With each squiggly line, Squirrel felt better. Art felt like a quiet hug." After some initial hesitation and insecurity over whether they can make art too, Porcupine and Bear join Squirrel in drawing their hearts out. Turns out, friendship and sharing are coping skills too.

With rhyming text and dynamic, mixed-media illustrations, Squirrel Draws Big Feelings will help readers understand that even when we don't have the words to express how we feel, we don't need to get stuck there.

Editor review

1 review

What happens when feelings are tricky and need to be let out?

May 16, 2026 (Updated: June 20, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

In this cute and meaningful animal story, little squirrel is not having a good day and all of his friends can tell. When squirrel unintentionally lashed out at those around him, this starts a snowball effect of negative emotions that throws the schoolyard into chaos. But when squirrel takes time to himself to reflect and channel his feelings through art, he and his friends are able to work through what they feel and create something beautiful together.

Bad feelings are tricky, for kids and adults, and squirrel is a simple and powerful example of how art can be used as an outlet for anxiety or uncertainty or any other feelings that can't be kept inside. It's okay to have negative feelings - everyone does - and it's important to explore different avenues to deal with them so that what one person is feeling doesn't grow into a problem for someone else. This book touches on how to navigate problems with friends and the healing power and peace that can be found in creative expression.