Get the Wiggles Out: Playful Ways to Embrace Every Feeling

Big feelings? Wiggly bodies? Let's move through it--together!

From nervous wiggles to excited jumps, this playful and empowering picture book helps kids recognize, understand, and manage their feelings--one movement at a time. Whether it's Elmo feeling nervous at the doctor's office or Abby bursting with excitement at the library, Get the Wiggles Out shows that there are fun, simple ways to handle every emotion. With expert guidance from Mayo Clinic pediatric psychologist Dr. Emily McTate and beloved Sesame Street friends, children learn how to calm their bodies, express their feelings, and get back to doing what they love.

Featuring vibrant illustrations, engaging activities, and a warm, reassuring tone, this book is perfect for:

• Helping young readers build emotional awareness and resilience
• Supporting social-emotional learning at home, in classrooms, or in therapy
• Encouraging movement-based techniques to manage big feelings

Whether kids feel shy, overwhelmed, or just need to shake it out, Get the Wiggles Out is a joyful reminder that every feeling is safe to feel--and every child has the tools to handle it.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

Author Anna Anderhagen is a Minneapolis-based teacher, performer, and early childhood music educator with a passion for helping children thrive. Drawing from her background in theater, music, and education, she loves helping kids (and their grown-ups) explore wellness topics such as the magical mind-body connection. Through her books, music classes, and puppetry, she encourages meaningful connections and lifelong healthy habits for children.

Illustrator Hisashi Maeda is an illustrator and graphic designer with more than twenty years of experience. He has a bachelor of arts degree from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan, and has worked with licensed brands such as Sesame Street, Peanuts, Pokémon, and more. He is from Japan and has been living in Wellington, New Zealand for 10 years.

Medical expert Emily McTate, Ph.D., L.P., ABPP, is a pediatric psychologist in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester, Minnesota. In her daily work she helps children, adolescents, young adults, and families who are managing acute and/or chronic health conditions. She partners with her patients and families to manage the stressors that are a common aspect of medical demands, supports communication with the rest of the team, and support normal development when possible. She finds it a privilege to promote the psychological well-being of children, youth, and families in healthcare settings.