Reg Goes Swimming is a book with a message that supports parents and children in learning how to self-regulate their emotions.

Reg — short for Regulate and pronounced with a hard /g/ — is a black bear cub who likes to climb trees, eat snacks, and sleep. Most of all, Reg loves to swim in the creek. After waking up from his winter’s nap, he heads for a swim. Alas, obstacles slow him down, and as the story unfolds, Reg experiences and learns to regulate his emotions.

At first glance, Reg Goes Swimming is a story with a simple message around feelings, but there are deeper lessons for the reader. Throughout his day, Reg moves from being emotionally dysregulated by negative stressors to thoughtful self-regulation, where he returns to a state of calm.

Reg uses three useful self-regulation techniques to regulate his emotions: positive self-talk, belly breathing, and reframing. In every situation, Reg thinks out loud to examine his feelings and comes up with easy, practical solutions for his struggles. Once the solution for each of his problems has been identified, Reg returns to a state of contentment.

Lori Gard, M.Sc, M.Ed, is a writer, Canadian Certified Counsellor, and nationally certified Solution Focused Brief Therapist with CCPC Global. She currently works as a K–6 school counselor. Lori has written for Huffington Post, Edutopia, the Yummy Mummy Club, PEI Living Magazine, and PEI’s Red Magazine. She is the author of two children’s books, Reg Goes Swimming and Reg Takes a Trip. Lori lives in Mill River East, PEI, with her husband and their four children.

Lori Gard's profile page

Emma is a fine artist and the illustrator of the Tales for Big Feelings series. Having a propensity for all things whimsical, Emma has worked on multiple children’s books and hopes to continue to bring people happiness through her art. When she’s not making art, you can find her working as a barista, finessing her latte skills. She currently lives in Michigan, USA, with her family and their three cats.

Emma Martin's profile page

“What a priceless gem! This book, beautifully illustrated by Emma Martin, is a well-researched and resourced guide that provides children valuable tools in naming, understanding, and regulating their emotions.” Dina Bednar, MA, RP, RMFT-SM, CSFT, associate director of the SFBT Certificate Program, University of Toronto, and co-director of the Canadian SFBT Centre

“Lori takes her readers on a journey of self-awareness and conscious self-regulation of feelings and thoughts through her simple and easy to understand children’s illustrated book.” Jill Stewart, BSW, MSW, RSW, founder, Your Life Design Inc.