Animals Feeling Like Us

By: R.M. Smith
Illustrated by: R.M. Smith
Publisher: Clarence-Henry Books
Publication Date: February 27, 2025
ISBN: 978-0988290983
Reviewed by: Diana Coyle
Review Date: March 18, 2025

In Animals Feeling Like Us by R.M. Smith, we are presented with different animals teaching us what certain emotions mean and look like. We are introduced to such animal characters as Happy Hippo, who loves smiling from ear to ear, and Silly Sloth, who loves to clown around and act kind of funny. We also meet Grumpy Goat, who isn’t happy about anything, and Confused Camel, who is so perplexed he isn’t sure what to do next. In total, there are thirteen lovable characters that readers can get to know through their different emotions they share with us.

This reviewer found this children’s book unique because Mr. Smith provided thirteen different characters and allowed each character to share different emotions through his written word. This teaches children not only about different emotions they might feel, but also how skillfully the animals go about teaching the child what each emotion meant. After each emotion is mentioned, the author defines what each feels like and gives an example of a situation that can cause that particular emotion to happen. He cleverly uses rhymes to enhance and explain each feeling, which in turn captivates his readers into wanting to turn the page to see what animal and feeling is on the next page.

The illustrations, also provided by the author, can be found on every page for readers to look at while reading along. Each one encompassed the full page and were done in muted tones that were pleasing to the eye. The illustrations perfectly matched the written word that was expressed.

R.M. Smith is a children’s author and illustrator of educational picture books. He has a background in graphic design and illustration. Combining both talents, he has been creating children’s books since 2008.

Quill says: Animals Feeling Like Us by R.M. Smith will not only teach children about different emotions and what they feel like, but will also entertain its readers with all the silly characters that can be found on each page.

For more information about Animals Feeling Like Us, please visit the publisher's website at: clarencehenrybooks.com/