Interview with Deana Plaskon, Author of ‘Bella and Bird Explore Anger’

An interview about Bella and Bird Explore Anger by Deana Plaskon, presented by The Children’s Book Review.

Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC, recently debuted her book, Bella and Bird Explore Anger, which offers young readers practical tools for understanding and managing emotions through the adventures of Bella the therapy horse and her witty sidekick, Bird.

Inspired by her own experiences with her rescued horse during Hurricane Ian, Deana has created a series that transcends traditional social-emotional learning to focus on developing emotional intelligence in children. With a background that bridges storytelling and therapeutic approaches, she’s developed a series of books that serve as tools themselves—complete with research-based techniques, such as box breathing and emotion wheels, that children can use in real-life situations.

In our conversation, Deana shares insights about the inspiration behind her series, the importance of emotional intelligence for today’s children, and how parents and educators can use these stories to foster meaningful conversations about feelings and emotions.

The Bella and Bird series focuses on teaching children how to manage strong emotions. What prompted you to choose this theme?

Deana Plaskon (DP): This is a wonderful question. My series, Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers, focuses on helping children (and adults) understand and manage emotions. I don’t like to say, ‘strong emotions,’ because emotions like anger, sadness, happiness, fear differ from underlying feelings. We first experience an emotion with how our bodies feel and then we have underlying feelings such as feeling mad, upset, or furious. Feelings change in their intensity (they can be strong or less intense). It’s like turning the volume up or down.

For example, in the anger book, a little bit of anger might feel like being upset or mad, but when the volume turns way up, that same emotion feels furious. So, feelings can be strong or less intense and emotions are what our bodies first feel and what we should learn to initially notice.

The inspiration for the series came from a personal experience. In 2022, just a few weeks after adopting Bella, my horse, Hurricane Ian, hit our area. Bella survived that devastating storm, and her resilience inspired me. I kept thinking about how children (and adults) are navigating the waves of emotions and feelings I personally was experiencing. And I wanted to capture a natural conversation about emotions and feelings.

I originally adopted Bella for equine therapy, and I began imagining her as the therapist in my stories, guiding children through emotions and feelings. Bird, her wisecracking sidekick, was inspired by the barn swallows who make nests in her stall with strands of her hair. Together, Bella and Bird bring warmth and humor to teaching emotional intelligence while sharing essential life skills.

Why do you think it is important for children today to learn explicit tools for managing their emotions?

DP: Emotional intelligence is the foundation of my book series. Emotional intelligence or EQ is an essential life skill. Unlike SEL (social-emotional learning) which is often a school-based lesson plan, emotional intelligence gives children the foundation for building healthy relationships, resilience, and self-understanding. Emotional intelligence helps children (and adults) understand their feelings. Words are powerful but also difficult. And children don’t always have the words to express how they feel. My books are a tool (in and of themselves) with simple, lifelong skills/tools inside each book. These tools give children (and adults) the path to increasing emotional intelligence, helping to build leaders through learning.

Emotional intelligence (and my books) helps children recognize emotions and underlying feelings. This builds communication skills and reduces confusion and frustration, builds stronger friendships, helps children feel calm and supported emotionally, and opens avenues for stronger learning opportunities with skills to reduce classroom frustrations, peer pressure, and test anxiety, and more importantly builds resilience for life by helping kids realize that feelings are temporary and manageable. 

Emotional intelligence teaches kids how to handle emotions and feelings with skills so they can manage them. With skills they are less likely to lash out or shut down. These skills (in my books) help them build relationships, do better in school and at home.

In the story, Henry and his mom initially don’t communicate with each other very well. Do you think parents can learn something from this story as well as children?

DP: Yes! The initial lack of communication was intentional. At the core of emotional intelligence is empathy. Empathy doesn’t require us to have the exact same inner experience as another person; that would be impossible because we can’t possibly know exactly what a person feels. However, we can try to become attuned (noticing signals including body language, tone, and words and responding with care and compassion). 

My hope is that my book series helps parents and children learn how to have open, honest conversations about emotions and underlying feelings by modeling this in my books. 

One of my favorite things about this book is the way the artworks stays so cheerful, calm, and welcoming throughout, even while Henry is angry. Was that a deliberate decision, and can you tell us a little bit about the process for developing the artwork for the story?

DP: It’s fantastic that you noticed the cheerful, calm, and welcoming tone of the artwork, even while Henry is angry! Yes, that was intentional. One of the goals of the series is for the books themselves to feel inviting so children feel comfortable exploring emotions and feelings within the pages of the book and to ensure the pictures remain warm and engaging. It’s a way of modeling that even tough conversations about emotions and feelings can be held in a calm, welcoming space.

Lea, the illustrator, did a fabulous job balancing those elements. She captured Henry’s anger in a way that was true to the story, while keeping the illustrations reassuring. The artwork was especially challenging because we had to bring together a very large horse, a very small bird, and an eight-year-old boy; all within the natural pastural landscapes. The scale differences and the pasture settings were drawn, redrawn, and refined to make sure each character felt authentic, without one overshadowing the other. In the end, I think that the harmony in the artwork mirrors the balance we want children to find with their emotions and feelings.

One of the most important messages in the book what that managing anger isn’t just about getting what you want. Was this a difficult message to craft it in a way that young readers would understand?

DP: Yes! This was a challenging message to shape young readers. Emotional intelligence, the foundation of the series, is a complex concept. I wanted to go beyond the surface of managing anger and help children understand that emotions aren’t just about getting what you want, but about learning healthy ways to cope and communicate.

To do that, I drew inspiration from the kinds of conversations a parent, teacher, or therapist might have with a child; one of guidance, supportive, and practical. The tricky part was keeping the words simple, the pace engaging, and the tone warm without watering down the message. That’s where Bird’s humor became important. His lightheartedness keeps children smiling, while Bella helps them take emotions seriously. It’s that balance of seriousness and fun that makes the message not only understandable, but memorable.

How do you envisage this story could be used in classrooms to help teach children to actually practice tools like box-beathing and using an emotions wheel?

DP: In classrooms, my books give teachers language and tools to normalize conversations about emotions and feelings. And Bella and Bird Explore Anger has accompanying curriculum, too, offered on my website. For example, a teacher can read Bella and Bird Explore Anger and have children model moments they were angry while sparking conversations about anger. 

The emotion wheel is essential to build emotional literacy. The wheel gives children the words to describe feelings with the understanding that emotions have intensity or levels. For example, when you’re annoyed, it means something is bothering you a little bit. It’s a small feeling of anger. Furious is when you’re so angry you might explode. It’s a big feeling of anger. I envision every classroom or homeschool room with my emotion wheel in them so they can see, use and learn how to use words to describe what they feel. Naturally, this can be down verbally, but teachers and parents can also have children write/journal their emotions and feelings using the wheel as a guide. 

Frivolous question, perhaps, but Henry’s mom’s pie sounds mouthwatering. Is this a real pie you make, and can you share the recipe?

DP: This question makes me smile! The inspiration for the pie came from my own childhood. My mom used to make the most delicious brownies (and still does!). I love brownies, but for Henry’s story I wanted something bigger, bolder, and even more mouthwatering. At first, I imagined a peanut butter swirl, but my editor wisely pointed out that peanut butter can be tricky with allergies some children have. So, I swapped it for caramel, and the final version, chocolate fudge brownie with gooey marshmallow and swirls of creamy caramel, was born. Honestly, it makes my mouth water just describing it! 

What advice do you have for readers who know about these tools already, but struggle to remember to use them?

DP: This is such a thoughtful question. Knowing the tools is one thing but remembering to use them in the moment can be tough for all of us. One way to make them stick is through repetition. Rereading my book regularly helps reinforce the strategies. I also offer free resources on my website that can be printed and posted in places you’ll see every day like on a bathroom mirror, a classroom wall, or even a desk. For example, I know readers who have taped the box breathing technique to their workspace as a quick reminder. The more often we see and practice these tools, the more natural they become part of everyday life.

What are some other favorite stories that you would recommend to parents or educators who want to help their children learn to manage their emotions?

DP: That’s a wonderful question and honestly, part of the reason I created the Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers series is because I couldn’t find many stories that did exactly what I was looking for, blending engaging storytelling with practical, research-based tools for managing emotions. I wanted books that opened dialogue, modeled skills, and gave families and educators concrete strategies they could use.

That said, there are some lovely books I do recommend, such as When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang and The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. Both help children recognize emotions in meaningful ways.

I encourage parents, teachers, and therapists, to look for stories that invite conversations about emotions and feelings, where characters practice skills children can carry into real life. And of course, that’s what I’ve worked on to build into every Bella and Bird book. Alongside the stories, I’m continuing to develop free resources on my website to give families and educators even more support. And each book in the series has accompany curriculum to additionally give parents, teachers, and therapists tools to integrate my books easily into children’s lives. 

What’s next for the Bella and Bird series?

DP: The series has only just begun! Bella and Bird Explore Anger debuted on August 19, 2025, and is available on my website: bellabirdbooks.com or Amazon. The second book in my series, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, is with the printer and will be available in November 2025. In this story, readers meet Molly, an eight-year-old who feels left out when her friends won’t let her play. Bella and Bird gently help her tend to sadness and give her tools she can use for life.

The third book in the series, Bella and Bird Explore Happiness, is currently with my illustrator, Lea, and will be available in Spring 2026. This story introduces Piper, a joyful eight-year-old who wants to feel happy all the time! Bella and Bird show her how to cultivate happiness while learning that it’s natural not to feel happy all the time.

And the fourth book in the series, Bella and Bird Explore Fear, is already written and in editing. It follows Charlie, an eight-year-old boy facing a fear many of us can relate to, and of course Bella and Bird step in with tools to help him navigate this challenging emotion. 

I’m excited to see the series growing! Each book will continue offering engaging stories with practical skills for children, parents, and educators.

About the Book

Bella and Bird Explore Anger

Written by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC

Illustrated by Lea Marle Ravotti

Ages: 3-9 | 256 Pages

Publisher: Bella and Bird Books (2025) | ISBN: 979-8987268414

Publisher’s Book Summary: “Can’t you tell?” said Henry. “This is my angry face!” 
When Henry storms into the pasture, Bella, the wise horse, and her wisecracking sidekick, Bird, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Henry is angry and offer better ways to cope.
By the time Henry leaves the pasture, he’s gained new insights, is in better control of his feelings, and has tools to take along with him.
Bella and Bird Explore Anger helps children understand and manage their anger, making it a valuable resource for open and honest conversations about this challenging emotion.

Buy the Book

About the Author

Hi, I’m Deana, an award-winning children’s author, mom, psychotherapist, and educator. I write fun and relatable children’s books that help children (and adults) explore and manage their emotions and feelings through endearing stories that make building emotional intelligence (EI) a fun and natural process. My series, Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers, is based on Bella, my real-life therapy horse, and her friend, Bird, the cheeky barn swallow. Through their adventures, they help children and adults navigate big emotions and feelings through open, honest conversations and equip them with simple tools and exercises that can be used anytime to nurture emotional intelligence and build literacy.

For more information, visit https://bellabirdbooks.com/.

This interview—Interview with Deana Plaskon, Author of ‘Where Only Storms Grow’—was conducted between Deana Plaskon and Dr. Jen Harrison.