In the vibrant world of children’s literature, few authors have made as significant an impact on young minds as Sonia Mehta. A Mumbai-based writer with over two decades of experience, Mehta has dedicated her career to sparking children’s imaginations through stories that educate and entertain. Her Dealing with Feelings: My Storybook Collection (Box Set 3), published by Puffin Books in 2020, is a shining example of her commitment to fostering emotional intelligence. This set of six story cum activity books, aimed at children ages 5 and up, uses the whimsical Foggy Forest and its quirky animal characters to help kids navigate complex emotions. As India’s literary scene continues to champion diverse voices and meaningful themes, Mehta’s work stands out for its accessibility and impact, making this collection a must-have for young readers and their families.
The Author: Sonia Mehta’s Creative Legacy
Sonia Mehta’s journey as a children’s author is rooted in her belief that imagination unlocks a world of adventure. Based in Mumbai, she co-founded Quadrum Solutions, a content company, and PodSquad, a children’s edutainment brand that prioritizes fun in learning. Her career began with pioneering projects, including one of India’s first dedicated children’s newspaper sections for the Sunday Observer and the conceptualization of the Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest for television. Over the years, she has authored books, songs, poems, and stories for publishers across India, the USA, the UK, and several African nations, as well as activity books for Disney, Chhota Bheem, and educational curricula like CBSE and CISCE. Her Discover India series, a 30-book collection on India’s states, is a bestseller, praised for its cultural insights and engaging activities.
Mehta’s My Values and Dealing with Feelings series reflect her focus on teaching children life skills through storytelling. Her ability to blend education with entertainment has earned her a loyal following, with parents and educators lauding her books for their clarity and creativity. When not writing, Mehta can be found with her two dachshunds, whose playful spirit likely inspires the lively characters in her stories. Her work aligns with India’s growing emphasis on children’s literature that addresses contemporary themes, such as mental health and emotional literacy, making her a key figure in the country’s literary landscape.
The Book: A Journey Through Foggy Forest
Dealing with Feelings: My Storybook Collection (Box Set 3) is a set of six paperback books that invite children into Foggy Forest, a tiny world inhabited by lovable animals like Uff the snail, Flutter the butterfly, and Scaley the dragon. Published by Puffin Books (Penguin Random House India) in 2020, this collection targets children ages 5 and up, offering a gentle introduction to emotional intelligence. Each book focuses on a specific emotion—guilt, exclusion, failure, stubbornness, competitiveness, or crankiness—through simple stories and interactive activities designed to encourage reflection and dialogue.
Titles and Themes
- There’s No Need to Feel Guilty: Helps children process guilt and learn to move forward with self-compassion.
- It’s OK to Feel Left Out: Addresses exclusion, offering strategies to feel included and valued.
- It’s OK to Be Wrong: Encourages resilience by showing that mistakes are part of growth.
- Being Stubborn Isn’t Fun: Highlights the benefits of flexibility over stubbornness.
- It’s OK to Not Come First: Teaches the value of effort over winning in competitive settings.
- Being Cranky Is No Fun: Guides kids to manage crankiness and rediscover positivity.
Each book, approximately 32 pages long, features vibrant illustrations and clear text, making it accessible for young readers. The stories follow Foggy Forest’s animals as they support one another, modeling empathy and problem-solving. For example, in Being Stubborn Isn’t Fun, a character’s inflexibility leads to challenges, but friends help them embrace adaptability. The included activity pages, such as drawing prompts or reflection questions, engage children creatively, reinforcing the stories’ lessons.
Purpose and Impact
The collection aims to start conversations about mental health, a topic gaining traction in India’s educational and parenting communities. By presenting emotions through relatable animal characters, Mehta makes complex feelings approachable, helping children articulate and manage their experiences. The books are ideal for parents, educators, and counselors seeking tools to foster emotional awareness. As a Facebook post from 2020 noted, the series is “so important” for its light yet impactful approach, blending fun animal stories with serious topics.
Reception and Reach
The Dealing with Feelings series, including Box Set 3, has been warmly received. Amazon.in reviews for Box Sets 1 and 2 praise the “amazing” stories, colorful illustrations, and age-appropriate activities, with parents reporting reduced screen time and increased engagement. One reviewer noted, “My daughter loved it… TV time is almost nil,” while another called it “a must-buy for ages 4 and up.” Box Set 3 is similarly valued, though some parents find the narratives simplistic for older children. The activities are a standout, encouraging kids to draw or write about their feelings, which enhances emotional literacy.
Available on Amazon.in, Booksetgo.com, and Penguin Random House India, the box set retails for ₹750–₹999, though stock is limited at some outlets. Its affordability and educational value make it a popular choice for home and school libraries. The series’ global reach, with distribution in the UK and USA, reflects Mehta’s ability to craft universally appealing content.
Cultural and Educational Significance
In India, where children’s literature is increasingly addressing mental health, Mehta’s work is timely. The Dealing with Feelings series aligns with the growing focus on emotional well-being in schools, complementing initiatives like the National Education Policy’s emphasis on holistic development. By setting stories in the neutral, universal Foggy Forest, Mehta ensures cultural accessibility, allowing children worldwide to connect with the characters. Her experience with edutainment, evident in projects like PodSquad, shines through in the books’ blend of storytelling and activities, making learning both fun and meaningful.
Compared to her Discover India series, which educates about geography and culture, or My Values, which focuses on ethics, Dealing with Feelings tackles the intangible but critical realm of emotions. This focus resonates with parents navigating modern challenges, such as screen addiction or social pressures, as seen in reviews praising the books for engaging kids offline. Mehta’s ability to address universal themes while rooted in India’s literary scene underscores her versatility and impact.
Sonia Mehta’s Dealing with Feelings: My Storybook Collection (Box Set 3) is a testament to her skill in crafting stories that educate, entertain, and empower. Through Foggy Forest’s quirky animals, she offers children a safe space to explore emotions like guilt, crankiness, and exclusion, while activity pages encourage active engagement. Her 20-year career, from pioneering children’s media to creating bestsellers like Discover India, reflects a deep commitment to young readers. For parents, educators, and children seeking tools to navigate feelings, this collection is a vibrant, accessible resource. As Mehta continues to shape India’s children’s literature, her mantra—learning is best when fun—lights the way for countless young adventurers.
