Book Nook: The Kingdom of Glee

I recently had a chance to review the new picture book The Kingdom of Glee, by award-winning writer Nicholas Tana, illustrated by Jessica Abbot and Elise Leutwyler.  

The book follows the rulers and citizens of two separate kingdoms, Glee and Angry. The kingdom of Glee is a happy place lead by King Gentile, and the wizard of Angry is convinced they must be happy because they are hiding gold. So, the wizard of Angry sends three monsters (Lethargos, Envy, and Thoughtless) to make the people of Glee miserable. One-by-one the monsters’ plans are spoiled, until the wizard succeeds in discovering a secret that changes his life, forever. 

I liked this book - but I've always enjoyed books with a castle/kingdom theme. Even as a child I was drawn to both historical and fantasy castles, so for me, this book would have been perfect as a kid. The rhymes help move the story along and make it fun to read to kids. The book is rich with color and different characters, and it's a good way for parents to talk about feelings like envy and laziness, or about being inconsiderate.

I had a chance to do an interview with the author.

Why did you write this book?I wrote The Kingdom of Glee to help children appreciate the value of community, family and love. It's a story with a clear, moral message, which hearkens back to fables of old. When we let feelings like envy or thoughtlessness keep us from connecting with others; or when we feel too lazy to make an effort to love, we end up angry and miserable. I'm hoping to tell a different story, involving monsters and magic, which shows kids that happiness doesn’t come from gold or self-interest, but from serving others and community. The Kingdom of Glee is my version of the Beatles song "Love Is All You Need." 

Why is it important for kids to be able to name and describe their feelings?

When kids can name their feelings, it helps them to become more emotionally aware, which is key to developing the empathy people need to live harmoniously. Too often, emotions can feel like soup: all mixed up; sometimes, spicy, sweet or hot. When we can taste individual ingredients - separate and identify the flavors - we can know what we would like to have in our soup. This way, we have control over how the food will turn out when things really start cooking.

How can books help kids learn to manage their emotions?

Books are an amazing way to develop awareness and empathy. When kids read a story, they picture themselves in another character’s shoes. Reading creates a sense of emotional awareness through listening, a much needed skill. Emotional awareness, coupled with the ability to listen to another person’s story, are prerequisites to developing emotional management skills; after all, you cannot manage what you aren’t aware of. The more we can manage our emotions through reading, especially at a young age, the better life will be for everyone in the years to come.