Debra-Jo is having a BIG feeling kind of day - and she absolutely, positively does not want to calm down. Her heart is thumping, her voice is loud, and no one better tell her to take a deep breath!

But with a little help from her mom (and Scruffy the Puppy), Debra-Jo begins to discover that calming down doesn't mean ignoring her feelings - it means learning what to do with them.

This tender, empowering story helps kids understand that big feelings are normal, and that they have the tools to move through them with love, patience, and confidence.

Why families and teachers love I Don't Want to Calm Down: