Family and Feelings

Helena Harastova is a writer, translator, and mother. She graduated in Dramaturgy from the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts, having previously worked for the National Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Her most unusual pastime is proofreading texts for errors in spelling, grammar, and style.Katia Gaigalova was born in 1992 in St. Petersburg, Russia, and currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany. In 2015 she got a degree in ethnography and folk arts. Drawing used to be just a hobby for her, but little by little, it became an important part of her life. She attended classes in academic drawing, design, and computer graphics to learn more about illustration and has created her own style. She has been working as a freelance illustrator since 2018, bringing pages of children’s magazines and books to life with her drawings. In her free time, she enjoys photography, long walks, and exploring new places. Modern graphics, animation, and music are her main source of inspiration, as well as beautiful children’s books.

Selected for The Children’s Book Council’s September 2024 “Hot Off The Press” Reading List"PreS-Gr 2–Veronica’s parents host a party as they are expecting twins. It’s a time of great celebration. Veronica looks and sees all the people who have come to express their happiness for her family; she has all types of feelings, but happiness is not one of them. She looks around; some of the people she knows, and some she doesn’t. She notices that there are families that are not like hers. Most of all, Veronica has a lot of questions that she isn’t sure how to ask. How will her family change when the twins are born? Will her parents still love her? She likes life the way it is and is afraid. Haraštová skillfully writes about the emotions young children experience when their families change, presenting a new scenario with each page, then a corresponding page with reasons for this, and provides possible solutions. Gaigalova adeptly uses creative text and illustrative circles for parents to talk through and discuss with their children. VERDICT In the books for new siblings space, this is a very thoughtful and thorough approach." —Laura Ellis, School Library Journal"I appreciate the way that the author structures this book, it goes from the situation to an explanation and then ways to cope with those feelings and situations that you can find yourself in. I enjoyed how there was a separation in art style for the pages that explained the situation, and the pages that gave ways to address feelings and needs that may arise. I liked that the pages with the situation explained were colorful and filled with images while the other side had more white space to separate each of the options. The style of these pages allows for your eyes to naturally follow along with the words and pictures and pause at each image. Final Verdict: Family and Feelings is a great children’s book that introduces children to feelings and explores solutions for dealing with those feelings. This is a great book for children who may be dealing with change in their lives and are struggling to cope with that change. This book shows that even when family dynamics change there is still love left for everyone and there is a way for everyone’s needs to be met." —Adrien Guerra, YA Books Central