MOM’S CHOICE AWARD · READER’S FAVORITE HONOREE
Your child feels it.
Now they can name it.
Hello Flutters is a gentle picture book that helps children ages 4 to 8 recognize fear in their bodies, name big emotions, and move forward with courage. Written by a licensed psychotherapist and mom of two.
A gentle SEL picture book that helps children ages 4–8 recognize fear in their bodies, name big emotions, and move forward with confidence.
A STORY BEHIND THE BOOK
I could feel it from across the room.
I am sitting in my son's classroom during show and tell. He is waiting his turn, eyes down, twisting the edges of his sweater. I can feel it from across the room.
He is waiting patiently, not saying a word, but it is clear something is happening inside him. That familiar moment when a child wants to step forward, but something holds them back.
Children experience fear in their bodies before they have the words to understand it. Hello Flutters was created to help them recognize those feelings and move through them with confidence.
MEET TALA
Tala is a flying squirrel who feels the flutter before new experiences.
He notices it in his body. A feeling in his chest. A movement in his stomach that makes him want to hide.
At first, he doesn't understand what it means. But over time, he begins to.
The flutter is not something to fear. It is something to listen to.
Through Tala's journey, children begin to recognize their own experiences and understand that what they feel is not wrong. It is something they can move through with care and courage.
WHO’S IT FOR
Created for children.
Supported by the adults who guide them.
For Parents
A gentle way to help your child name what they feel, build confidence, and understand that fear is not something wrong with them.
For Therapists
A relatable, repeatable resource that helps children recognize fear in their bodies and move through it with care and courage.
For Educators
A story-based tool that creates shared language in the classroom and opens the door to meaningful emotional conversations. Aligned with core SEL competencies.
WHAT EDUCATORS ARE SEEING
Children are not just reading the story.
They are experiencing it.
“The first time I read it aloud, you could feel the shift in the room. Students leaned in. Some placed their hands on their tummies, others nodded quietly as we reached the part about feeling nervous before trying something new.
The story gave them permission to name something they had felt but never understood. It sparked meaningful conversations, and for the first time, they were able to connect physical sensations with emotions. That connection is incredibly powerful at this age.”
MS. KOVISTO, SECOND GRADE TEACHER
“It’s so important to create a safe space for children to talk about their feelings, especially when they’re nervous or scared.
Hello Flutters has become a meaningful tool in our classroom. It helps students find the words and courage to share their emotions, and I’ve seen real changes children using the language, pausing to breathe, and supporting one another.”
MRS. SHARMA, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
“As a kindergarten teacher, I’m always looking for books that help children understand their emotions, and Hello Flutters has quickly become a classroom favorite.
The language has become part of our daily conversations. Students are learning to name what they feel and where they feel it in their bodies, opening the door to more honest and meaningful moments together.”
MS. GIBB, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
WHAT FAMILIES & PROFESSIONALS ARE EXPERIENCING
The impact extends beyond the page.
"My daughter asks to read it every day. She connected with the story immediately and keeps coming back to it."
LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST & PARENT
"An engaging and insightful book. It has become a meaningful resource in both my home and therapy practice."
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
"My daughter found comfort in Tala's experience, realizing she is not alone in feeling nervous before competitions. It has helped her move through those moments with more confidence."
PARENT OF A STUDENT
ATHLETE
MEET THE AUTHOR
Her work focuses on breaking cycles of anxiety and creating space for healing. After years of witnessing how early fear shapes a child’s confidence, she created the Hello Flutters! series.
These books give children a language for their inner world and provide adults with tools to respond in a way that fosters connection and growth.
Dr. Maria Grace believes that understanding what a child feels changes who they believe they are.
As a licensed psychotherapist, TEDx speaker, and mother of two, she brings clinical insight into the everyday reality of raising resilient children.
SCHOOL VISITS & PARTNERSHIPS
Bring Hello Flutters to your classroom, school, or community
Dr. Maria Grace is available for school visits, classroom readings, and educator workshops.
For bulk orders, school partnerships, or community collaborations, reach out directly.
Reach out directly at
hello@mariagracewolk.com
or use the form below.
Fear is where bravery begins.
Get your copy of Hello Flutters and give your child the language they need to move through fear with confidence and courage.