Handling our emotions is not always the simplest task. It is particularly difficult when we are children, but often it doesn’t get much easier when we are adolescents and young adults. Last summer, the 3D computer-animated comedy-drama film “Inside Out” explored the very notion of emotions, by delving inside the mind of a young girl named Riley who is faced with an impending move from Minnesota to San Francisco. Five personified emotions, Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, try their best to help Riley adjust to this transitional moment in her life. This clever production received critical acclaim. What I liked best about “Inside Out” was the way in which it sends the important message to viewers young and not so young that it is acceptable, indeed necessary, to feel all of your emotions, whether happy or not.

“Inside Out” brought to mind my favorite childhood author, Kevin Henkes. In many ways, Kevin Henkes was ahead of the game, exploring the touchy topic of emotions long before Pixar. Kevin Henkes’ cast of characters invite children who are just beginning to read the opportunity to get in touch with their feelings. There are lessons within the pages of his books that would serve young adults just as well, particularly when facing the inevitably frightening and challenging transition to college.

I think fondly in particular about the title character from Henkes’ “Wemberly Worried.” Wemberly is a timid and perpetually nervous little mouse who worries about everything. She frets over spilling her juice, she is certain that she will shrink while bathing in the tub, and she is absolutely convinced that the first day of school will be disastrous. Clutching her bunny, Wemberly looks like an absolute basket case of anxiety. Her parents express their concern, but it is not until Wemberly gets to school and meets a fellow worrier that she begins to face her fears. I loved Wemberly because I was, and still am, a worrier. It’s a habit of mine. And it’s hard to break. But Wemberly taught me well that worrying is normal, though admittedly at times counterproductive, and the lesson has carried through the years.

Henkes does not stop at "worrying," however. When we meet the infamous Lily of “Lily's Purple Plastic Purse,” she serves as an example of how to deal with anger, perhaps the one emotion many of us are taught to control but never truly conquer. Lily misbehaves by fussing with the purple plastic purse she has brought to school for show and tell, and her teacher confiscates it for the day. Lily is infuriated, she takes revenge, though in a comical fashion, and she ultimately makes amends. Lily teaches us that it would be far better to count to ten before acting.

And finally, there is Chrysanthemum, who is consumed by embarrassment, but tries her darnedest to keep it under wraps. Chrysanthemum absolutely loves her unique name. That is, until she goes to school and is mocked by her classmates for being named after a flower. Chrysanthemum embraces her name once again when she finds that her favorite teacher has an equally unique name and plans to give one to her new baby, as well. What Chrysanthemum leaves us with is the lesson of turning the other cheek and celebrating ourselves as individuals, a lesson that even many adults find hard to grasp.

When the going gets tough, remember that if your favorite mice can deal with their emotions, so can you!