Marcy's Having All the Feels Activities

Being happy feels great, doesn’t it? But it’s unrealistic to expect to be happy all the time. Allison Edwards explores how it is normal to feel sad, frustrated, angry, embarrassed, and more in the book, Marcy’s Having All the Feels. I want to share some activities you can pair with this story.

I received a copy of this book from the National Center for Youth Issues (NCYI) in exchange for an honest review.

About the Book

Written by: Allison Edwards
Illustrated by: Valeria Docampo

Marcy wanted to be happy. Happy is all she wanted to be. But all her other feelings kept showing up—and at the worst times!

There was Frustrated and Angry, Sad and Embarrassed, and even Worried and Jealous. Her feelings were there as soon as she opened her eyes each morning, and they followed her around throughout the day. Some days all these feelings just felt like a little too much and she wanted to hide!

Marcy didn’t want to feel angry or jealous. And she didn’t like feeling sad or embarrassed. Why couldn’t she be happy all the time? Then one day when Marcy’s feelings disappear, she learns that her feelings don’t have to control her, and they might even have a function.

Maybe having all the feels might not be such a bad thing. And that one discovery? Well, it changes everything!

I think this book is great for helping children identify their feelings as well as to show that having a variety of feelings is normal. Each feeling has been carefully created with a different color and appearance, just like a character in the story. I believe children will relate to and connect with the issues that Marcy faces in this story.

Marcy’s Having All the Feels Activities

I have put together some resources to pair with this book. While reading, students can keep track of the feelings Marcy has and the cause of those feelings. Then, students can think of a time in their own life when they felt the same way.

In the story, each feeling is shown in a different color. Students can determine which colors come to mind when they think of each feeling.

It is important for students to identify and name their feelings. In this activity, students read each statement and determine how they would feel if put in that same situation. Students then draw a face to show their feelings next to each statement.

After reading the story, students can respond to the text in writing. One option would be to have students choose one of the feelings shared in the text. Students can write an example from the book, or from their own life, and then draw a picture to match. Feel free to choose your own responses.