Emotes are a series of picture books, comics

Comics

Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...

 and designer toys

Designer toys

Designer toys is a term used to describe toys and other collectibles that are produced in limited editions and created by artists and designers. Designer toys are made of variety of materials; ABS plastic and vinyl are most common, although wood, metal, and resin are occasionally used. The term...

 created by Helen Lau. Each of the characters represents a different emotion

Emotion

Emotion is a complex psychophysiological experience of an individual's state of mind as interacting with biochemical and environmental influences. In humans, emotion fundamentally involves "physiological arousal, expressive behaviors, and conscious experience." Emotion is associated with mood,...

. The characters are designed as a new form of play therapy

Play therapy

Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process...

 to give children the opportunity to play and interact with others while learning how to identify, understand and express their feelings in a fun and engaging way.

Story

When the emotion of all the users of the Internet came together, an emotional super-energy was created. This energy split, creating a group of unique beings, each of which represents a different emotion - the Emotes.

Characters

The first series of 12 Emotes characters includes:

• Boom (the Angry)
• Super (the Confident)
• Bubba (the Happy)
• Imp (the Mischievous)
• Jumpi (the Scared)
• Joi (the Excited)
• Drain (the Tired)
• Ick (the Disgusted)
• Mixy (the Confused)
• Abash (the Embarrassed)
• Yawni (the Bored)
• Cant (the Frustrated)

• BOOM is angry
  Anger
  Anger is an automatic response to ill treatment. It is the way a person indicates he or she will not tolerate certain types of behaviour. It is a feedback mechanism in which an unpleasant stimulus is met with an unpleasant response....
  
  . He is angry all of the time. He wakes up in a bad mood, goes to sleep in a bad mood, and is in a bad mood in between. Boom has a short fuse and depends on his friend Bubba to bring some happiness into his life. Superpower: Flamethrower
• SUPER is super confident
  Confidence
  Confidence is generally described as a state of being certain either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-confidence is having confidence in oneself. Arrogance or hubris in this comparison, is having unmerited...
  
  . He believes in himself and knows that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to. Super spends his time exploring the world around him to learn new things and achieve new goals. Super shares his confidence with his Emote friends when they are faced with challenges. Superpower: Glows a blinding ray
• BUBBA is happy all of the time. Everything brings Bubba joy and Bubba brings joy to everyone. Bubba spreads happiness to his Emote friends through big smiles and random acts of kindness. Superpower: High-pitched deafening laughter
• IMP is an attention seeker who enjoys a good joke or prank. He spends his time dreaming up ways to create embarrassing situations for his Emote friends so he can enjoy a hearty chuckle. When things are not as they appear to be, chances are Imp is in the area, tucked away and snickering at his handiwork. Imp helps his Emote friends remember that it is okay to laugh at themselves. Superpower: Changes size
• JUMPI is scared of his own shadow. Loud noises and quick movements shock him right out of his skin. Jumpi has trouble conquering his fears and often depends on his friend Drain to help him relax. Superpower: Electrical force field
• JOI is excited all of the time. He sees the positive side of every situation. He smiles and laughs and spreads good cheer. Joi believes there is goodness in everyone. Joi's Emote friends depend on him to help them think positive thoughts. Superpower: Gymnastic cartwheels
• DRAIN is exhausted and can barely put one foot in front of the other. He needs a daily burst of energy and usually depends on his friend Joi to help him through the day. Superpower: Power Yawn
• ICK is disgusted with everything all of the time. He grunts and frowns with disgust when he is not happy. Ick depends on his friend Joi to help him see the bright side of things. Superpower: Cloud forming powers
• MIXY is confused all of the time. He doesn't know if he is coming or going, right or wrong, or happy or sad. He does everything twice because he isn't sure if he has done it the first time. Mixy asks a lot of questions to help him figure things out. Mixy helps his Emote friends to see both sides of all situations. Superpower: Changes color and blends into any background
• ABASH is easily embarrassed when he meets new people, visits new places, or tries something new. When Abash feels embarrassed, he hides within himself until he finds the strength to conquer his fears. Abash helps his Emote friends remember to be humble and depends on his friend Super to help him build his confidence. Superpower: Becomes invisible
• YAWNI is bored with his everyday life. He is always in search of something new to explore, but it usually doesn't hold his attention very long. Yawni is a genius and it takes a lot of exciting things to keep him interested. Once he comes across a new task, he easily masters it and becomes bored all over again. Yawni depends on his friend Mixy to make boring situations more interesting. Superpower: Melts and becomes a liquid.
• CANT is frustrated
  Frustration
  This article concerns the field of psychology. The term frustration does, however, also concern physics. In this context, the term is treated in a different article, geometric frustration....
  
  . He has trouble putting his best foot forward. He becomes frustrated when things don't go his way. Cant is capable of accomplishing many great things, but often gives up without trying. Cant depends on his friends Super and Bubba to help him be more patient. Superpower: Pulls his ears to change shape into a fast moving pin ball

Books

There are twelve Emotes books designed to help children identify and express their emotions. They deal with issues such as cyber bullies, temper tantrums, or healthy habits. Each book touches on a specific everyday issue, resolving it in a fun and easy to understand way.

Four Emotes picture books, written by Matt Casper, MFT and Ted Dorsey, were released in 2008 by Diamond Comics.

Play Therapy

Emotes toys are designed to help children visualize and identify their own emotion easily. When presented with all the characters, children tend automatically to choose the Emote that they think best matches their personality. The toys are used in therapy rooms to introduce children to the language of emotion. They include 2.5 inch vinyl figures and 10" plush dolls.

External links

• Official Website
• Emotes Links with Teen Line
  Teen Line
  TEEN LINE is a non-profit teen help hotline based out of the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. There is also a branch in Reseda and, most recently, one in Riverside. The line is open nightly from 6:00 P.M...
  
  
• Mom Most Traveled