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The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast · Full episode

Writing Picture Books About Feelings with Derek Amarillas

How can a picture book help children understand their feelings? Derek Amarillas joins us to discuss social-emotional learning, creative inspiration, and the story behind Socko: The Flamingo with Tennis Shoes.

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Inside this conversation

Derek talks about turning feelings and everyday observations into stories. We explore his writing process and his wish to create books that give children space to express themselves.

  • Starting a story with an emotion and exploring what it means.
  • Gathering ideas from things you hear, see, and feel.
  • Writing stories that support emotional literacy and individuality.
  • Creating meaningful connections with children through picture books.

Jump to a topic

0:34 — How Socko began with a family gift
2:38 — Writing about feelings without preaching
5:13 — A writing routine that begins with feelings
20:34 — Helping children feel free to be themselves

A takeaway for picture book writers

Derek describes pausing to identify a feeling before deciding what he wants to say about it. That reflection becomes a starting point for stories about belonging, expression, and emotional understanding.

Try it in your own story

Choose a feeling your character is trying to understand. Write a short scene that shows it through what they notice, say, and do. Then read it aloud: does it sound like your character, or like an adult explaining the lesson?

You can try this exercise in Storyrise’s free writing studio. Keep your character notes beside your draft. If you want to explore Cloud, there’s a 14-day trial; the writing studio stays free.

Keep exploring children’s publishing

Browse more author and publishing interviews with The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, hosted by Jackie Garcia-Morales and Theresa Maria Villarreal.

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