CSSR Staff Member Publishes Children's Emotional Literacy Journal with Penguin Random House

Rebecca Maughan-Brown, Research Portfolio Manager in the Centre for Social Science Research's Adolescent Accelerators Research Hub, has published My Feelings Journal with Penguin Random House South Africa in June. The book is a guided workbook designed to help primary school-aged children develop emotional literacy, self-awareness, and habits for emotional wellbeing.

The journal, available in English and Afrikaans, is aimed at children in Grades 1–5 and draws on Rebecca's background in social work and public health. It offers children a structured, child-led space to identify and name their emotions, reflect creatively through guided activities, and build the emotional regulation skills that research has linked to better mental health, stronger social relationships, and improved academic outcomes.

"Children experience a wide range of feelings every day, but many struggle to understand or communicate them," said Maughan-Brown. "The more words a child has for feelings, the better they understand themselves and the more they can apply that understanding to others. My Feelings Journal is designed to build that awareness in a way that is accessible, supportive, and child-led."

The journal was initially developed five years ago as a resource for Rebecca's daughter. As interest from school counsellors grew, she self-published the book, and over time it came to be used in multiple schools across two provinces. The partnership with Penguin further supports Rebecca's vision for equity and access through a donation model they've established together: for every 15 copies of the journal sold, one copy is donated to a low-resource school. The journal is available in Afrikaans as My Gevoelens Dagboek, with publication in an indigenous African language being a future goal.

My Feelings Journal is available in retail bookstores nationwide and online at Takealot and Amazon. For more information, visit @myfeelingsjournal_sa on Instagram.