Olive All at Once

by Mariam Gates, Alison Hawkins (Illustrator)

Olive learns that it’s okay to feel different and sometimes opposite emotions all at the same time.

In this illustrated picture book, Olive experiences contradictory emotions. The first day of school is exciting but also scary. When she attends a friend’s birthday party, she is delighted for him but also jealous that the presents aren’t for her. And when she thinks about her little sister, she’s both glad and mad―for lots of reasons. Olive helps young readers explore the sometimes-contradictory ways they feel about significant events in their lives. Building social-emotional intelligence in children helps them to allow all of their emotions to coexist inside them. It’s part of being human to feel many different ways―all at once.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Mariam Gates is a passionate and inspiring teacher with over 20 years of experience working with young people. Through the Kid Power Yoga Program she has combined her dedication to teaching yoga with her skills as an educator to guide children in accessing their own inner source of strength, confidence, problem-solving and creativity. Mariam received her Masters in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1997. She taught in the Boston Public Schools and directed the Citizen Schools program in Dorchester, MA, a nationally recognized enrichment program for 9-13 year-olds.

Mariam Gates is a passionate and inspiring teacher with over 20 years of experience working with young people. Through the Kid Power Yoga Program she has combined her dedication to teaching yoga with her skills as an educator to guide children in accessing their own inner source of strength, confidence, problem-solving and creativity. Mariam received her Masters in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1997. She taught in the Boston Public Schools and directed the Citizen Schools program in Dorchester, MA, a nationally recognized enrichment program for 9-13 year-olds.

Mariam Gates on Vinyasa: "I knew right away that this form, this flow, was both asking me to move past my perceived limitations and giving me the means to do so at the same time."
It did not take long for her to understand how powerful this work would also be for children. "It is never to early to deepen your relationship to your body. It is never to early to say 'I can do it!" In KidPower Yoga we encourage students to expand both physically and mentally to see their own truly great potential as human beings.

The Kid Power Yoga Program has been taught in the Boston and Lexington Public Schools and as a Professional Development Series for public school teachers: (YOGA 101)Yoga off the Mat: Bringing Yoga into the Classroom Setting - with a waiting list for all sessions. Mariam and her work have been featured in Yoga Journal, Boston magazine, the Boston Herald, Alternative Health Magazine, and on television and presented at Esalen Institute, Big Sur CA and Wanderlust Festivals in the US. Child magazine described Mariam as a "central figure" in the children's yoga movement.
Kid Power Yoga Teacher Trainings are now being offered nationally and now the KPY Training Materials are also available!

Mariam and her husband, author and teacher, Rolf Gates Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga now call Santa Cruz CA home and travel regularly with their two children throughout the United States and abroad offering workshops, teacher trainings and week-long intensives in Vinyasa Yoga and the principles of alignment.

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A sweet picture book that explains how having multiple emotions at once is perfectly okay. Great idea, good execution.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Olive is a little girl with a lot of feelings. When she was a baby, her feelings were neatly compartmentalized. But now, she feels multiple feelings at once, and she knows that it is perfectly okay.

This picture book tackles the complicated concept of experiencing diverse emotions at once. When Olive says that her feelings are jumbled up, we see that she always has at least two dominant feelings. But these are never from the same side of the emotional spectrum, such as happy + excited, or nervous + upset. Rather, her sentiments are usually opposite, being a combination of a positive and a negative mood. This contradiction shows children how it is perfectly normal to feel opposite emotions at once.

So many situations in life generate contrary feelings, whether the first day of school or having a new sibling or going on stage. This book will hopefully help kids understand that there is nothing wrong if a negative emotion rears its head alongside a positive feeling.

The narrative pattern of the story is interesting. There is no story as such here. An unidentified narrator introduces us to Olive and tells us about her feelings. At the same time, Olive responds to the narrator’s comments from the illustrations, and clarifies or rectifies the remarks made about her feelings. This approach makes it fun to read Olive’s interjections in between the main narrative.

However, this also means that Olive explores her feelings over multiple events, and we have to follow her train of thought. There is no sequence to the events. The structure might be confusing for kids to follow.

Moreover, the focus is only on information about contrary emotions, but the story doesn’t tackle the quantum of emotions. What I mean is, a child might experience two opposite feelings at once, but they both needn’t be at the same level of intensity. For instance, a child’s stage fright might be more than their excitement at performing before an audience. How does the child harness the positive energy rather than allowing the negative emotions to dominate? This goes beyond the purview of the book.

There are a couple of difficult words in this book, plus the story pattern is also not conventional. Some of the pages have a lot of text, though the layout makes them appear clutter-free. As the book is aimed at little ones aged 4-8, the younger ones of this age range might find their comprehension impeded by these factors. Adult guidance will be beneficial.

The illustrations are cute and colourful. I loved Olive’s gravity-defying plaits! 😄

Recommended, but not as a must-read. This book could work well for classroom discussions. I don’t think it would be that beneficial to home libraries, as the approach makes it more about information than about constructive action.

3.5 stars.


My thanks to Sounds True Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Olive All At Once”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||

[RainyDayReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picture book follows a little girl with lots of feelings that seem to overlap a lot. The story is told in dual narration, a third person narrator and Olive herself adding in. As a preschool teacher, I am often looking to add more SEL books to my library. However, I was disappointed by several things. The art style was okay but I felt like the imagery for feelings could have been much more creative and visual, especially for the target audience. Additionally, the narration style would be confusing for young kids and it led to repetitiveness throughout this short book. The narrator would say something, be corrected by Olive, and then correct it by rephrasing again. While the idea of this book is a win, there are several other picture books that I'd recommend in this category.

(Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.)

[Sierra Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 4 year old daughter loved this book and all the pictures! She even related a couple of times to Olive and how she was feeling 🥰 I enjoy reading books that teach my littles about their feelings, It had a great message ☺️

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute and sweet. And extremely short. Took me less than 5 minutes to read it. Great for kids, and a good lesson for adults too.

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive all at once is a story of a young girl, Olive. It's her first day at school and she is excited as well as nervous. And it makes her wonder how she feels two opposite feelings at the same time.

This is cute and adorable little story which will help young kids to overcome fear of first day of school.

Thank you Netgalley and sounds true publishing for ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolutely charming exploration of a very common yet confusing experience children (and adults) have: feeling positive and negative at the same time. The narrator and the adorable, energetic Olive help young readers understand that joyous events (a birthday party) can also feel tricky (all of those presents are for HIM?), without judgement. In a world where socio-emotional tools tend of favor the cultivation of positive or uplifting feelings (calm, peace, joy) sometimes we accidentally teach kids that their negative feelings are less valid or less desirable, and thus we fail to give them tools for those feelings. Olive All At Once makes space for sadness, jealousy, anger and fear in a healthy way. I love that the protagonist is a girl (the group more pressured to be agreeable, sunny, and calm) and I love the diversity represented in the characters in these pages. Olive All At Once is truly for every child and those who take care of them.

[Keke Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Olive All At Once" by Mariam Gates is a tender and insightful picture book that beautifully captures the complexity of children's emotions. Through the endearing character of Olive, young readers are invited to explore the nuanced and sometimes contradictory feelings that arise in various situations.

As Olive navigates the ups and downs of everyday life, from the excitement and apprehension of the first day of school to the mix of joy and jealousy at a friend's birthday party, Gates skillfully portrays the rich tapestry of emotions that children experience. Olive's candid reflections on her relationship with her little sister further highlight the multifaceted nature of emotions, as she grapples with feelings of both gladness and frustration.

What sets "Olive All At Once" apart is its compassionate and empowering message about embracing and accepting all of our emotions. Gates gently encourages young readers to acknowledge and honor their feelings, even when they seem contradictory or overwhelming. By normalizing the experience of feeling multiple emotions at once, the book fosters social-emotional intelligence and resilience in children.

The illustrations by Mariam Gates complement the text beautifully, capturing Olive's emotional journey with warmth and sensitivity. Each page is alive with expressive characters and vibrant colors, inviting readers to immerse themselves in Olive's world and empathize with her experiences.

Overall, "Olive All At Once" is a heartfelt and empowering book that celebrates the richness of human emotions. Through Olive's story, children learn that it's okay to feel different and sometimes opposite emotions all at the same time. With its valuable lessons and engaging storytelling, this book is a must-have addition to any child's library, encouraging them to embrace their feelings and navigate life's ups and downs with courage and compassion.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olive All At Once by Mariam Gates
Illustrations by: Allison Hawkins
ISBN: 9781649631749
Publish Date: March 2024

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ebook ARC of Olive All At Once by Mariam Gates and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Olive learns that it’s okay to feel different and sometimes opposite emotions all at the same time. 
In this illustrated picture book, Olive experiences contradictory emotions. The first day of school is exciting but also scary. When she attends a friend’s birthday party, she is delighted for him but also jealous that the presents aren’t for her. And when she thinks about her little sister, she’s both glad and mad—for lots of reasons. Olive helps young readers explore the sometimes-contradictory ways they feel about significant events in their lives. Building social-emotional intelligence in children helps them to allow all of their emotions to coexist inside them. It’s part of being human to feel many different ways—all at once.

This book had bright and cute illustrations. I found this book to be very confusing the way it was written. I found this book to be ALOT. For the age range that it is targeted towards, I found it to be too much. The book goes through different emotions with the character Olivia.

I give this book a rating of 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#OliveAllAtOnce #NetGalley

[Patricia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads AND Mariam Gates for this book ( and thank you especially for the copy to give to others--especially generous, and so good to give to teachers AND therapists/social workers who work with children. The formatting, the art is especially appealing . I so appreciate the ethnic diversity as well as using a little girl. Women are in the u.s. more often taught to be nice and/or "don't think/feel that way". The various situations with mixed emotions are ones that are normative for children and help acknowledge that it's o.k. to have those mixed emotions "sometimes I don't know how I feel because I don't feel just one way". What I would like to see in addition to this is either a parent/teacher guide of 'expression' questions: E.G. " Have you ever felt this way?" "Tell me about it" "tell me more.." When you felt ---- & ---- & ----, what did you want to happen? Maybe that's another book, what do you do with those feelings e.g. write them down, talk about them with a trusted adult (or animal), ... Thanks again Goodreads and Mariam Gates and Alison Hawkins (illustrator).

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Sounds True Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Olive has feelings, lots of them but sometimes she feels them together and all her emotions become a jumble with too much going on.

This was such a perfect way to showcase to children the ways emotions can overcome you in multiple ways, how you can feel one important feeling and another will come join it even if you don’t want it there.

I liked the story, Olive was adorable and how she kept talking to the storyteller to share exactly what emotions she was feeling and why she was feeling them. She was so sweet, I liked the way everything was explained and the adorable illustrations along with it all.

This is a great book to share with children, it’s a good way to be teaching about emotions but in a fun and easier way. I really enjoyed this sweet book and how easy it would be for children to understand and follow along with it.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book designed to show the young reader that mixed emotions are regularly a thing, and that it's alright to feel both this way and that at the same time. Olive is happy and jealous at a party, excited and yet scared on day one of school, and so on. The text is fairly distinctive as it goes about this routine message – we have the narrator and the speech bubbles from Olive, and oftentimes Olive is there to correct the narrator, or at least to clarify. It's obvious that could have been dreadful, but I certainly didn't mind it – it adds to the spin on this concept the book has, and makes the text more lively than the straight non-fiction lesson we might have got. This still isn't the ultimate, compellingly plotted book that demands being taken off the shelf, but if you think a child would gain from these pages they aren't going to dismiss them from lack of appeal, making this much more suitable an option than several alternatives. A healthy four stars, then.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this picture book.

This is a great picture book about emotions and how we can have contradicting emotions at the same time - it's a great book to open discussions with the little one about emotions, identifying them and understanding them.

There is no narrative story per se, the book follows Olive and a narrator as they narrate how Olive is feeling in various situations, to which Olive reply about the other emotions she has. It's a funny dialogue.

The illustrations are very cute too, brightly coloured but in a harmonious way.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olive all at once is a beautiful children’s book about how we can often feel different emotions, all at once.

We loved the interplay between Olive and the narrator as they articulated olives ‘Jumbled’ feelings. It was an insightful way to coach around expressing and accepting mixed emotions, which is a great lesson for children and adults alike!

This is a lovely book to foster emotional intelligence and resilience in children, and a great lesson for them to share with their grownups. The illustrations are warm, bright, reassuring and add a strong sense of confidence, validation and normalisation to the story.

Thank you Sounds True Publishing and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who says you can only have one emotion at a time? A bright, excitable kid named Olive is trying to figure it all out, and between starting school, making friends, having a new baby sister, and visits from her grandparents, there's a ton of emotions she'll be feeling. In “Olive All At Once” (Sounds True), children get to see through Olive's different experiences how moods can change and happen all at the same time.

An educator and the creator of Kid Power Yoga, author Mariam Gates writes this loveable, humorous story inspired from her connections with children. All of Olive's emotions and expressions are drawn charmingly by illustrator Alison Hawkins, making “Olive All At Once” a colorful, enjoyable story with lots of heart.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, hardcover book about a girl who feels lots of different emotions at the same time. For the most part, its only 2 at a time, but it is a good lesson for young readers that you can be both excited and terrified for example. Also good practice for naming emotions. I thought it was geared a little too young for my 7yo, maybe try 3-5/6 year olds, but then for that age range, I think there's some good vocabulary discussions to be had here. Illustrations are fine, some vibrant color choices, which I loved. Definitely recommend this for a kindergarten classroom, but would be great for parents of littles as well.

*** I won a free copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.***

[Beth Hommes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Olive, a preschooler, who experiences a range of emotions. Sometimes she has conflicting emotions. The illustrations are engaging and the situations are familiar to small children and their families. The story has several vignettes that might stimulate conversations and emotions and behaviors, both positive and negative. I think this would be a great addition to a family, daycare, or preschool library. I thank NetGalley and Sounds True for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Sounds True Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book for younger readers is a wonderful way to introduce the topic of feelings and emotions. Olive is a typical little girl who has lots of feelings, often at the same time - we loved the way the vibrant illustrations underlined the feelings Olive is having, and sometimes struggling with. Great to talk about how it's okay to experience different types of emotions, sometimes all at once.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olive All At Once
by Mariam Gates


Social emotional learning resource for early elementary school. Needed in classrooms to show that emotions are not just one thing or another. They get mixed up. This makes it hard to understand what your feeling. This book shows in simple was how this happens. It shows how to name your emotions with out prejudice or consequences. This may help students understand the difficult conflicts of emotions.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains how children can feel more than one emotion at a time. I loved the conversation between Olive and the narrator. That was fun! The illustrations were colorful and helped tell the story while not being too overwhelming. This book would be an excellent addition to an elementary school library or in a school counselor’s office.

Thank you NetGalley and Sounds True for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Allison Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olive is a little girl with lots of emotions. Sometimes she feels scared and excited, or delighted and jealous. This book explains to kids that feeling emotions are ok and sometimes kids feel multiple emotions at once.

I love the illustrations in this book. They are so colorful. This book would be a great read aloud to young kids. I highly recommend this book to parents.

I received this book in a giveaway from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I received a copy from the publisher inn exchange for an honest review.
Olive has feelings. They used to be one identifiable feeling at a time, but now as she is getting older, sometimes she feels more than one feeling at a time. Olive is learning to name her feelings and accept them. Warm water color illustrations bring depth to Olive's feelings as young readers ;earn that multiple feelings can coexist and it's all good.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I brought this to read to my niece’s kindergarten class for Read Across America and it was very well received by all the kids. It also opened up a great discussion with the children about feelings and how it’s ok to have more than one. I left the copy in the classroom for them to read over again if they felt the need because a few of the kids expressed interest in it but I couldn’t pick just one. 😭

[NrsKelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome read for little ones who are struggling with naming their emotions. Especially when they have more than one emotion going on at the same time. Perfect for my kindergarten age son. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The book held his attention with situations he can recognize.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joel Gratcyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about an adorable little girl who feels her feelings all at once. She learns how emotions aren’t always binary and can be mixed together at any point of the day. It can be used as a great conversation starter with your little one or a classroom full of feelings. I highly recommend adding it to your collection for any pre-school or elementary age targeted library.

[Marcia McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book for children to help them understand their emotions. So many books will talk about various emotions, but this one deals with the reality that we will have contradictory emotions at the same time. Children need help understanding that they may be happy and jealous at the same time. It will be available for sale in September 2024. I read a preview copy.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Olive has feelings. There’s an omniscient narrator, telling the reader what’s going on and olive interrupts them to say you don’t have it exactly right. In theory this book works, but I found it to be long. I feel the book entirely squiggly. I think this concept was way better illustrated by the movie inside out. This book is OK but it’s been done better other places.

[Christine B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It's about a girl named Olive and her feelings, which can often be conflicting. It is a great way to help kids understand their feelings, which can be confusing , like how they can be both happy and jealous at a birthday party. This is the best children's book about feelings that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading it with my daughter!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olive shares that she experiences more than one emotion at a time. Readers see a variety of situations where the narrator tries to share one emotion but Olive speaks up and shares that she feels more than one thing. Readers will connect to this. It affirms that we all feel many things - not just one emotion.

[bohemianrhapsodyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl named Olivrand her first day of school. This book also describes all the emotions that she goes through in different situations. The illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

[Shaylon Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great for littles and their feelings. It shows them that it is ok to feel all the feels at once, separately and how to sort them out. I think the author did a good job, and the illustrations were spot on as well.