Brain and Heart - It's Not Fair: A children's book about big feelings, anger and learning you're not alone

By Ryan Peterson

Ruby really wanted the swing.

Ruby waited.

Ruby watched.

And Ruby's turn didn't come.

Something inside felt BIG.

Ruby's body got hot. Ruby's hands got tight. Everything went FAST FAST FAST.

"IT'S NOT FAIR "

Then Heart came close.

Heart didn't tell Ruby to calm down. Heart didn't explain why it was fair. Heart simply noticed what was true:

"You really wanted the swing."

The swing was still taken. Ruby was still a little mad. It still felt unfair.

But Ruby's body felt quieter.

And when Ruby could hear what was happening inside, Ruby could see something that wasn't there before:

a choice.

Brain and Heart: It's Not Fair is a felt-illustrated story about what can happen when a child's feelings get very big-and what becomes possible when someone notices, comes close, and stays.

Written by licensed therapist Ryan Peterson, LCMHC, for kids with big feelings and the grown-ups who love them.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H3GD1P9W
• ISBN13: 9798234091512
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Moms Library Press
• Length: 50 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 2 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2