Little Kids, Big Emotions: Mad
We’re moving through emotions and I don’t want you to miss the emotions we’ve already covered – happiness and sadness. Today, I’m sharing books about being mad or angry, a feeling that kids can definitely relate to! I think this is such an important emotion for kids to understand. What makes you angry? And maybe more importantly, what do you do when you’re angry?
Being angry isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s more of how you manage your feelings – are you making other people feel bad or damaging things? Or are you processing and acknowledging the anger and moving forward with tools and resources to make yourself feel happy or content? These are all really difficult questions and children should always learn how to identify their feelings and what they mean. Come back again next week for our next emotion!
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Little Kids, Big Emotions: Mad
Allie All Along by Sarah Lynne Reul
Poor Allie! She’s in a rage, throwing a tantrum, and having a fit! Her emotions have built and built and now they just burst. Is there a sweet little girl hiding somewhere under all the angry layers? And can her big brother find a way to make things all right again? In the tradition of When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry and Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, Allie All Along explores simple ways kids can center themselves in the face of overwhelming emotions. The illustrations’ varying hues and vibrant colors capture the powerful feelings that young children can’t always express in words.
Fergal is Fuming! by Robert Starling
A dragon with a short temper is not a good combination, as Fergal’s family and friends soon find out. He burns the dinner (literally), reduces the football goal to ashes and absolutely cannot play a nice, quiet board game. It is only when he starts to notice other animals have clever tricks to calm down that Fergal begins to win back his friends, especially when he discovers dragons can cool off in a very handy way.
Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can’t leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he’ having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them.
Mad, Mad Bear! by Kimberly Gee
Bear had to leave the park early for his nap. Then he fell and got an owie on the way home. And then he had to leave his favorite boots and stick outside. Bear feels like nothing is fair, and that makes him VERY, VERY, VERY MAD! Can he find a way to move through his emotions and get back to feeling better? Maybe…but not before having a major meltdown!
Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole
Who knows the best way to be mad? Bear stomps. Hare hops. Bobcat screams. Mouse? He just can’t get it right. But when he finds the way that works for him—still and quiet—he discovers that his own way might be the best of all.
Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival
Ravi never minded being the smallest in his family. Until one day, his short arms can’t reach the monkey bars, he can’t find anyone during hide-and-seek, AND he’s too little to ride the big slide. Ravi is so mad that he can’t control his temper anymore…and he turns into a ferocious, roaring TIGER! Tigers can do anything they want! But who wants to play with a growling, wild tiger who won’t share or behave?
Ravi is about to discover something very important about managing his big feelings. While we all get angry sometimes, Ravi’s Roar shows ways to channel those emotions without hurting family and friends.
Sometimes I’m Bombaloo by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Yumi Heo
Katie Honors is a really good kid — most of the time. But sometimes… well, sometimes, say when her little brother knocks down her beautiful castle after she told him not to touch it and she knows she’ll never be able to make it look that good again… sometimes Katie gets so mad she’s BOMBALOO, she’s just not herself. Sometimes she uses her feet and her fists instead of words.
Being Bombaloo is scary. But a little time-out and a lot of love and understanding from Mom calms Bombaloo down and help Katie feel like Katie again! This is a warm book about losing your temper and how to feel like yourself again.
This Makes Me Angry by Courtney Carbone, illustrated by Hilli Kushnir
To this little boy, it seems like one thing after another is going wrong, and it isn’t his fault! He feels heat rising inside him, first at home and then at school. At lunch, his pent-up feelings burst out, and he yells at his friends. But with the help of a caring principal, he learns to recognize his feelings and let go of his anger.
Tiny Tantrum by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Ella Okstad
Tiny Tantrum is the happiest girl around-as long as she’s getting her own way! But when it’s time to clean up, or take a bath, or put on her coat, she throws a terrible tantrum. Then one day, friendly monsters show up. Could they be just what Tiny needs to tame her tantrums?
When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman, illustrated by Nancy Cote
Everyone feels angry sometimes, but there are always ways to feel better! Join a bunny rabbit and her family as she learns to manage angry feelings. With a focus on identifying the causes of an emotional reaction, and coming up with ways to start feeling calm and happy again, this book explains simple strategies to help kids understand and take care of their emotions.
When Miles Got Mad by Sam Kurtzman-Counter
When his little brother breaks his favorite toy, MILES GETS MAD. As his anger swells, he suddenly catches sight of himself in the mirror – but instead of his own reflection, a furry red monster with big round eyes and funny teeth stares back at him. By encouraging Miles to use his words to express his anger, the Mad Monster helps Miles move through this big emotion to calm himself. Through this fun story and adorable illustrations, this insightful and entertaining children’s book offers much-needed comfort to young children as they struggle to regulate their emotions.
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang
Everybody gets angry sometimes. For children, anger can be very upsetting. Parents, teachers, and children can talk about it. People do lots of different things when they get angry. In this Caldecott Honor book, kids will see what Sophie does when she gets angry. What do you do?
