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I love using books when working with children as a mental health professional. It’s such a great way to start a conversation or introduce some different strategies to them. Here are several of my favorite books to use to help kids learn to manage their anger.
For the younger crowd (Preschool/Early Elementary):
When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
Poor sophie has a hard time managing her anger when she has to share gorilla with her sister. It’s a visually interesting book to show how big her feelings get and how it looks when she calms down again.
When I Feel Angry by Cornelia Maude Spelman
This is part of “The Way I Feel” series. It explains how different things can make you angry, and that feeling angry is an expected part of life, but it’s what you do when you’re angry that matters.
Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.
Another great book that talks about how anger affects your body and suggesting safe ways to express yourself.
Angry Octopus by Lori Lite and Max Stasuyk
A great book that actually is a progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing script for kids. It’s wonderful!
Late Elementary School/Early Middle School Crowd:
Don’t Rant and Rave on Wednesdays by Adolph Moser
It mentions the consequences of having unchecked anger, and acknowledges that adults struggle with this too. A large part of the book explains different strategies kids can use to express anger in a safe way, which I think is great.
How to Take The Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis
I love using this book for kids who are having a hard time managing being angry. I typically read one chapter at a time with the kids and work on some of the strategies listed in the book.
What to Do When Your Temper Flares by Dawn Huebner
This book has lovely illustrations and goes through “anger dousing” methods.
This is a graphic novel, perfect for the tween set.
For Adults working with Angry Kids:
A Volcano in My Tummy by Eliane Whitehouse and Warwick Pudney
This is one of my favorite resources to use with kids. Early in my career, I was using one of the worksheets from this book and explaining the basics of angry feelings to one of my little clients. He looked at me and said “That’s exactly what it feels like. Ooooh, you’re good!”.
