WhenCookieOpenedanArtStudio

About the book

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Dear Parents, 

Has your child ever felt upset when others’ attention shifted away from them—experiencing a mix of jealousy and anger without knowing how to express it? 

When Cookie Opened an Art Studio takes us into this inner world of children and sheds light on feelings of jealousy and competition that may arise, especially when children feel that attention is directed toward someone else. Through Cookie and Faya’s experience, the story shows how anger and comparison can lead to loss, while cooperation and acknowledging differences open the way to contentment and shared success. 

The story offers a valuable opportunity to talk with our children about jealousy, self-confidence, and respect for differences. It invites us to accompany them as they learn constructive ways to express their feelings and build positive relationships with others. 

Talk with your child about moments when they felt jealous or competitive

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Let’s Talk 

Ask your child:

How did Cookie feel when customers went to Faya? What did she do?

How did her feelings change later on? 

Talk with your child about moments when they felt jealous or competitive, and share a similar experience from your own life. This helps affirm that such feelings are natural—and that we can learn how to respond and change our behavior. 

Invite your child to imagine themselves first in Cookie’s place, and then in Faya’s place. Encourage reflective questions such as:

What do I need right now? What could help me feel better?

Connect this to everyday situations in your child’s life—for example, when their toy isn’t chosen or when a friend’s work is praised. Encourage them to think of a helpful response instead of reacting with anger or withdrawal. 

Strengthen your child’s self-confidence by naming their strengths

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Let’s Build Life Skills 

Strengthen your child’s self-confidence by naming their strengths, for example:

“I love that you are ______.” (creative in drawing, helpful to others, etc.) 

Ask your child to complete the sentence: “I am special because I…”

Parents can begin, and then the child continues. This shared practice helps children feel that appreciating each family member’s uniqueness is a collaborative effort—supporting acceptance and respect for differences. 

Prepare a small box called the “Idea Box.”

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Let’s Create 

Prepare a small box called the “Idea Box.” Each family member adds a card with a word (or a drawing) representing an idea for an art activity they would enjoy. Open the box together and choose a different idea each day to try—without comparison and without correction—simply for the joy of experimenting and creating together.