Rue and Gil Come to Visit

Storybook introducing Rue and Gil, the shame and guilt Mood Munchers.

When Jamie makes a big mistake on his art project, he’s suddenly visited by two unexpected guests — Rue, the heavy-hearted Shame Mood Muncher, and Gil, the prickly Guilt Mood Muncher. They wrap him up in uncomfortable feelings that whisper, "You're not good enough" and "You messed it all up."

But with a little help, Jamie learns that making mistakes is how we grow — and that Rue and Gil are just visiting emotions, not the truth of who he is.

This gentle, powerful story helps children understand the difference between helpful guilt (that guides us to make better choices) and unhelpful shame (that makes us feel bad about who we are). Through Jamie’s journey, young readers learn the importance of self-compassion, emotional awareness, and letting go of harsh self-judgment.

A must-read for helping children see that emotions come and go — just like Mood Munchers — and that they are always more than their mistakes.

Perfect for classrooms, families, and anyone guiding children in emotional well-being.