All The Feelings, Gillian Breckell
Written by Gillian Breckell, Illustrated by Julie Smith-Belton
Published by Little Love
$30, hardback, 32pp, 253 x 224mm (Landscape)
ISBN: 978-1-991436-00-9
10 April 2026
One day, a child’s Feelings grow so big they jump out “like a bear” – stomping, roaring, squeezing and spinning everything into chaos. No matter how hard they try to shout them away or throw them in the bin, the Feelings won’t leave.
In this engaging and gently empowering story, the child discovers a different approach. By slowing down, sitting with their Feelings and giving each one a name, they begin to understand that even the loudest, silliest, angriest emotions are allowed to be there.
Written by Gillian Breckell and illustrated with warmth and humour by Julie Smith-Belton, All the Feelings helps children develop emotional awareness and regulation in a way that feels accessible and reassuring. The lively, expressive artwork transforms abstract emotions into memorable characters children can recognise and relate to.
Produced as a stunning hardback, this beautifully crafted picture book is ideal for children aged 4-8 and provides a valuable tool for parents, caregivers and educators supporting emotional literacy and well-being.
“‘All the Feelings’ is an exuberant book. Illustrated boldly and brightly. Everything has a round edge, fonts, bodily shapes, emotions. The book oozes. Which is apt. Feelings ooze out of us, into us, through us. They’re shape shifters. They can throw us into tizzes. This is wonderfully illustrated as a micro whirlwind. It picks up the little tamaiti, envelopes them, just as feelings do. Just as feelings should.
This is a sensitive book geared to help tamariki understand emotions and feelings. It traces an evolutionary arch in which the protagonist is overwhelmed by feelings but comes to understand them. It begins with large abstract emotions that escape the child. These are visualised as a bear raging uncontrollably, stomping and roaring around the house. Smith-Belton’s illustrations do a wonderful job of contextualising how emotions upend us. The story shifts gear, leading us piece by piece so that gradually the protagonist comes to understand that their feelings are a way of processing what’s happening in the world. Ultimately, the child is able to give their feelings names: ‘calm, silly, jealous, angry’. Feelings suddenly stop being so overwhelming. They can find ways to accommodate them.
This is an admirable book. Its exuberant qualities make a difficult subject entirely tangible and very relatable”
“The back cover asks, “Do your feelings do silly or crazy things sometimes?” and invites readers to explore those feelings together. This book does exactly that.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gillian Breckell is a New Zealand–born writer with a Master of Science in Organisational Psychology and a Master of Arts in Leadership. She was inspired by a voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand to submit her first piece of writing, and her work has been anthologised twice, in Spirit of Youth and Down to the Sea Again. She has lived in London, Taipei, Shanghai, and Copenhagen, yet always returns home to Aotearoa. All the Feelings was written for her two Kiwi–Danish children, her favourite people to share stories with.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Julie Smith-Belton is a visual artist and graphic designer who loves to bring a touch of whimsy and humour into everything she creates. Born and raised in South Africa and now living in Denmark, she runs her own design studio, Jelly Robot, where her days are spent designing, drawing, painting and bringing creative solutions to life for her clients. Passionate about family and a mum of four, she believes in using creativity and design to spark joy, connect people and make a positive impact on the world.
To arrange interviews with Gillian Breckell or for any further information, please contact:
Kate Gordon-Smith
Relish Communications
kate@relishcommunications.co.nz, 021587227