Two Frightened Meerkats in a Tight Hug

Two meerkats stand close together on a small patch of ground, caught in a tight hug. The one in front has its eyes shut and a worried, wobbly mouth, with both arms wrapped around the other. Its back has curved stripes running down the fur. The meerkat behind has wide eyes glancing sideways, gritted teeth, and one hand stretched out with the fingers spread. A long, pointed tail curls up on the right, and a single tuft of grass sits in the bottom corner. The big shapes and clear outlines suit crayons and markers. Try using two different shades of brown or tan for the two animals so the overlapping arms are easy to tell apart, then talk with your child about how each meerkat looks like it is feeling. It also works well as a free printable for an emotions lesson.