Left-Out Lane
Maya loves her new baby brother, but she also misses time with her mother. Feeling left out is where her journey begins.
About the book
Feelings help us know where we are, but we don't have to stay there.
Maya loves her new baby brother. But as he receives attention, she feels left out and misses time with her mother. With her dog Coco beside her, Maya boards a magical red-and-gold train, welcomed by a warm Conductor.
Along the journey, children explore feeling left out, jealous, sad, worried and angry. Maya discovers the red STOP lever and pulls it to slow the train, pause, breathe and choose another path. At Self-Control Station, she finds calming strategies, patience, positive thinking, focus and self-control. She returns home and talks with her mother.
By Terri McColl, LCPC & NBCC
Renewed Minds Publishing Company · 2026
What children practice
- Emotional awareness — naming feelings, including hurt, loneliness, fear or embarrassment beneath anger.
- Pausing — creating a moment between a feeling and a reaction.
- Coping skills & self-regulation — trying simple strategies to change course.
- Conversation — talking with trusted grown-ups about what they feel.
The Feelings Train is an educational read-aloud and conversation starter. It is not a treatment or a substitute for professional care.
Peek inside the book
Climb aboard — take a look!
A few of the bright, full-color pages waiting inside. Tap any page to see it up close.
Sample pages © 2026 Terri McColl. Shown as a preview only.
Inside the Journey
Every feeling has a place on the map
Jealousy Junction
Jealousy is one of the big feelings explored along the journey.
Sadness Station
The journey makes room for sadness, too.
Worry Way
Worry is another feeling children encounter aboard the train.
Anger Station & Anger Avenue
Anger may have other feelings beneath it: hurt, loneliness, fear or embarrassment.
Self-Control Station
Maya discovers tools for another path: calming strategies, patience, positive thinking, focus and self-control.
A small pause. Another path.
Maya discovers the red STOP lever and pulls it to slow the train. She can pause, breathe and choose another path. Back home, she talks with her mother about how she feels.
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