Anger

It can be difficult for children to identify and process their feelings, and the books in the Feelings series aim to help them do just this. This level-one title targets beginning readers by combining short sentences, simple vocabulary, and expressive photo illustrations of diverse children who are dealing with anger. It addresses how anger might manifest (a reddened face or yelling), what can cause it (being hungry or tired), who can trigger this emotion (siblings), and a reminder that, though it’s no fun, this feeling will pass. Each spread pairs a few sentences with a full-page photo of a kid experiencing anger or in a situation that makes her or him mad. Occasionally a question box asks readers to think critically about the illustration. An effective tool for handling emotions.

Though a difficult concept for many youngsters to understand, feelings are a part of everyday life. In these brief, kid-friendly scenarios, children will recognize their own experiences, whether it’s feeling fear at being in bed alone in the dark, excitement at an upcoming visit from grandma, or sadness at a friend’s move. Concise language describes the different feelings and healthy tactics for emotional release while acknowledging that emotions are impermanent. Photos, which at times visually break up the plot continuity of the text, positively reinforce that the expression of emotion is universal across all races and ethnicities. In addition to the standard glossary, index, and suggested readings section, this series includes a “Home and School Connection” vocabulary list to aid in sight word recognition within the text while applying the words to daily life. VERDICT A useful resource for the emotional well-being of our very youngest.