Coping With Feelings (& Life Events)

Dealing With Anger
Written by Marianne Johnston. A Hazelden/PowerKids Press Book.

A concise, compact book for children discussing anger and ways to cope with it positively -- while avoiding harm to self and others. Illustrated with photographs of children. (Nice book for the "inner" child as well.)

Toddler/Preschool.

Everybody Has Feelings. Todos Tenemos Sentimientos.
By Charles Avery.

Photographs of children with text in both English and Spanish explore a wide range of human emotions.

Feelings
By Aliki

 Ages 4-8
32 pages

I'm Scared (Dealing With Feelings)
Written by Elizabeth Crary. Illustrated by Jean Whitney

"Everyone is scared sometimes. Fear is a good clue to real danger, but when a child's fear interrupts daily life, it must be addressed. There are a variety of ways to respond to fear, and parents can help kids decide whether a fear is a reasonable and distinguish the constructive responses from the destructive. In this book, Elizabeth Crary provides several strategies for coping with fear in positive ways. Parents can offer support and empower children to create solutions that work for them. "
-- from the back cover

[Great companion story to "My Brother Is Afraid Of Just About Everything"! Written by Lois Osborn. Illustrated by Loretta Krupinski.]

When new neighbors move in
Tracy is excited, until she sees their
 big dog. She is petrified of dogs!
 Her mother and others help her
 work through her fear, and she
gets another new friend in the bargain . . . Frisky.

 Ages 4- 8
32 pages

Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
Written by Jamie Lee Curtis. Ilustrated by Laura Cornell

I love this book -- and so do all the kids I've shared it with. The drawings are exuberant and imaginative, Curtis' text is great, plus it tackles a subject that young children are tackling themselves -- feelings and mood swings. A great book to lead into talking about what we feel, what to do when we feel it, and how to support each other through it. You could even make your own "mood wheels" like the one in the book.

 

Ages 4-8 $11.20

Owen by Kevin Henkes By the author/illustrator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. An excellent book -- especially if you have a blankie addict in your house. Funny and compassionate with a bit of practical wisdom to share about "what to do with that thing" your child drags around. I loved the repetition device -- the nosy neighbor who filled Owen's parents in on a useful approach after each turn of the plot, ending with: "Haven't you hear of saying, 'No'?" Owens parents hadn't. So she filled them in. Blankiephiles will be happy to know that a more compassionate solution is discovered by the end!