Leave Me Alone! A Good Inside Story About Deeply Feeling Kids

PreS-Gr 2–Kennedy, a.k.a. Dr. Becky, creator of the “Good Inside” parenting framework, translates her therapeutic approach into a picture book about intense emotions. Pia, a tan-skinned child with dark hair, notices everything around her and absorbs sensations with intensity. During an imaginative game with her brother, a fall triggers a surge of fear, sadness, and anger. As her emotions spill over, her mother gently carries her upstairs and sits nearby, offering calm presence while Pia rages and retreats. Stone’s digital illustrations do essential work here, exposing the turmoil beneath Pia’s prickly exterior. In one scene, where Pia hunches defensively, readers see what the text names but doesn’t dwell on—the taut posture of a child in emotional distress. As a child-facing story, the narrative may not immediately resonate with all readers. The mother’s quiet steadiness, while grounded in therapeutic modeling, lacks the explicit dialogue or dramatic action typical of story time favorites. However, children who experience intense emotions—whom Kennedy calls “deeply feeling kids”—may recognize themselves in Pia’s reactions and find reassurance in a story that portrays big feelings without judgment. The closing “Parent Corner” clarifies the book’s dual audience, offering caregivers concrete language for navigating charged moments.