The Not-Forever Feeling - Hardcover

by Amber Justis (Author)

The Not-Forever Feeling is a gentle and reassuring picture book about shame, friendship, and finding the courage to reconnect after a difficult moment.

Kit loves words. When she is chosen to represent her class in the spelling bee, she wants to make everyone proud. But when she freezes on stage and cannot say a word she knows by heart, embarrassment settles in like a heavy shadow. Certain she has let everyone down, Kit pulls away and hides from the world around her.

Then Lola, her faithful friend, quietly stays nearby.

Through warmth, patience, and simple companionship, Kit begins to discover that mistakes do not define who we are, and that painful feelings-even the ones that seem overwhelming-do not last forever.

With lyrical text and heartfelt illustrations, The Not-Forever Feeling offers children a compassionate way to explore embarrassment, shame, resilience, and emotional repair. Perfect for families, educators, counselors, and anyone helping children navigate big feelings with kindness and connection.

Themes: friendship, emotional resilience, shame, embarrassment, self-worth, social-emotional learning, kindness, belonging, and courage.