When I Feel Lonely (Prestel Junior; October 7, 2025; ages 4-8), the newest book about emotions from beloved author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup. This picture book is a powerful and timely exploration of childhood loneliness.
In a world where many children, and adults, are grappling with such intense emotions, When I Feel Lonely provides a calm, compassionate and understanding voice, helping young readers to recognize and name their feelings.
I had a chance to interview her to learn more.
Why is it important for kids to realize they aren't alone with feeling lonely?
Loneliness is a feeling that almost everyone experiences at some point.
It can be very helpful and soothing to understand that we are not alone with that feeling.
Loneliness can feel and look different to each individual.
In children it can sometimes be difficult to recognise and it can disguise itself as sadness, irritability, emptiness, anxiety and withdrawal.
Realising that other people feel lonely too, can open a conversation and help investigating their own feelings and experiences.
How can books help children explore big emotions?
Books can help children putting words to their feelings.
Stories and pictures can help them realising that they are not alone with their emotions and that their feelings are valid and that they are being seen.
By identifying with the struggles and experiences of the main characters in a book, children might find it easier to talk about their own and learn to understand them better.
Books can open doors and create a safe space for expressing difficult topics.
Why is it important for parents and caregivers to encourage emotional literacy and vocabulary in young kids?
The ability to name a feeling gives children the power to discuss, process, reflect and share their personal experience of the world.
It helps them feel properly seen and understood and manage their own emotions.
Emotional literacy and vocabulary can help children form healthy relationships, develop essential life skills like resilience and problem-solving.
When a child’s emotional vocabulary grows, they can communicate better with others about their feelings and it strengthens their capacity for empathy and kindness.
Children with a strong foundation in emotional literacy tend to have less self-destructive behaviour
and can tolerate frustration better.
When I Am Lonely will be released on October 7, 2025, and can be purchased via Prestel’s website. Previous books by the author include When I See Red (focused on anger) and When I Feel Brave (focused on fear and bravery).
BRITTA TECKENTRUP has written and illustrated over seventy children’s books, which have been published in over twenty countries. Her books include Tree, Bee, Ocean, Moon, and Home in the Peek-Through Picture Book series, plus Big Smelly Bear, Grumpy Cat, and The Odd One Out. Born in Hamburg, Germany, and educated in London at St. Martin’s College and the Royal College of Art, she lives with her family in Berlin.
See her work online at brittateckentrup.com and follow her on Instagram at @britta_teckentrup.
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