An Emotional Menagerie: questions to ask and activities to try
Emotions are like animals: some are quiet, some fierce, all hard to tame. An Emotional Menagerie is an A to Z of feelings in 26 rhyming poems.
What age is it for? An Emotional Menagerie is best for ages 7–10. Good for: An A to Z of feelings in rhyming poems.
An Emotional Menagerie (The School of Life)
- Age
- 7-10
- Best for
- An A to Z of feelings in rhyming poems
Read one poem a day, maybe the letter of your child's name. Talk about when you've each felt that feeling.
What it helps with
- Naming feelings
- Feelings vocabulary
- Poetry
- Talking about emotions
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which feeling did we read about?”
- “What animal was it like?”
- “When have you felt it?”
- “Which feeling is hardest?”
- “Which is your favourite?”
- “What animal is your feeling today?”
5-minute activities to try together
Feeling of the day
Pick the poem that fits today's mood.
Feelings zoo
Draw your feelings as animals in a zoo.
Free printables: An Emotional Menagerie worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
Free. We’ll only email you if you tick the box.
If your child liked this, try
Sweep (Louise Greig and Júlia Sardà)
- Best for
- A bad mood that grows and grows
- Age
- 3-7
When Sadness Comes to Call (Eva Eland)
- Best for
- Welcoming sadness and letting it be
- Age
- 3-7
Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates (Mark Bradley)
- Best for
- Big feelings, in a first graphic novel
- Age
- 5-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.