Customer Reviews

That Makes Me Mad!

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This book offers many examples of what might make a child angry. In many of the illustrations the child feels angry because an adult doesn't listen, doesn't keep a promise, or won't allow her to help, etc. In my opinion it could give a child with anger problems more reasons to feel angry. It almost feels like the book was written for adults who are unintentionally provoking their child's anger. Books I highly recommend are: If Everybody Did by JoAnn Stover, Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri Meiners (which offers positive ways to deal with anger), Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, and for children 9-12 Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life by Carol McCloud.

I teach 5th, used to be in K. This book will work for all ages. Younger ages is more obvious. For upper grades, discuss emotions. Write about times that make them mad, jubilant, irritated, woeful... Have them write poems "inspired by Steven Kroll."

This is a great book for learning to talk about and work through strong negative emotions, which all children have, providing a model for how to be specific about what is making you mad, and how the frustration makes you feel. It is useful for both children and adults, and is a perfect tool to help open a dialogue about emotions and anger, and how to figure out ways that children can make themselves heard in a healthy, respectful manner. If tantrums, etc., have become a big issue in your family, this is definitely worth checking out. (ReadThatAgain)