Deana Plaskon

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Henry storms into the pasture, Bella, the wise horse, and her wisecracking sidekick, Bird, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Henry is angry and offer better ways to cope. By the time Henry leaves the pasture, he’s gained new insights, is in better control of his feelings, and has tools to take along with him. Through practical techniques grounded in research and therapeutic expertise, Bella and Bird Explore Anger helps children understand and manage their anger, making it a valuable resource for open and honest conversations about this most challenging emotion. 

Bella and Bird Explore Anger is the first in an exciting new series of books that aim to help children, ages 5-10, and adults develop emotional literacy and boost emotional intelligence.

Each book highlights a core emotion and offers accessible, research-based strategies that empower kids to handle their feelings with confidence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deana Plaskon is an educator and mental health expert whose work guides and equips children (and adults) with social and emotional knowledge and tools to help them live healthier lives through relatable, enchanting children’s books. 

With a PhD in Education specializing in human behavior, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a master’s degree in teaching and learning with technology, Deana has a uniquely informed yet fun-loving approach to children’s books. Her series, Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers, is inspired by her real-life therapy horse Bella, and her friend Bird–the not-so-common barn swallow. Imbued with Bella’s calm, wise presence and Bird’s cheeky humor, these delightfully empowering children’s books are designed to entertain and inspire children aged 5-10, as well as the caring adults who guide them.

Deana’s experience as a mom, therapist, and educator has deeply informed her work in this unique emotional intelligence series, which combines truly enchanting storytelling with humor and useful tools — a rarity in children’s literature. In addition to her decades of expertise, Deana is also a speaker who loves sharing the latest research, methods, and insights in education and mental health with audiences nationwide. With a focus on child psychology, equine therapy, talk therapy, bullying, resiliency, motivation, and emotional intelligence, she is a uniquely informed speaker, author, and expert.

Deana splits her time between New Jersey and Florida. 

TALKING POINTS

• How Bella and Bird Explore Anger give children and adult tools to talk about feelings
• How Dr. Plaskon took a catastrophic event (Hurricane Ian) and turned her experience into a children’s book series focused on emotional intelligence and literacy
• Why it’s important to talk with kids about anger and how stories help
• How horses and other animals play a role in emotional healing for children
• What equine therapy is and how it’s being used to make a difference in the lives of both children and adults
• Why horses understand us better than we think
• What parents and other adults often miss when kids are “acting out” in anger
• How to use picture books as therapeutic tools without making it feel like therapy
• Behind the story: the real-life horse, Bella, that inspired the fictional one
• How The Emotion Wheel helps families learn how to communicate their feelings in a healthy way
• How Box Breathing can help a child feel calm and grounded