Anger and Stress Management
Book Reviews

Children's Books

Books for Parents and Other Educators

How to Take the GRR out of Anger
Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis
Ages 8-13
The text and illustrations make this self-help book appealing for children. They can read it independently but parents and teachers should read it also. It gives concrete steps for handling anger, seeking help when adults are angry, etc. The introduction starts with a discussion of why you need this book. This book increases understanding and options. It also has a message for adults, resources for kids and adults, and an index for easy reference. This little gem fits into small hands nicely and should be used as a frequent resource.

Don't Rant and Rave on Wednesdays!: The Children's Anger-Control Book
Adolph J. Moser
Use with ages 4-12
In this clever and humorous book, Dr. Moser helps children understand the causes of anger and actually reduce feelings of anger.
Enjoy other books by the same author.
Don't Pop Your Cork on Mondays: The Children's Anti-Stress Book
Dr. Moser helps children understand stress. His delightful style helps them learn to handle stress. Children and adults benefit from Dr. Moser's relaxation techniques and coping skills.
Don't Despair on Thursdays!: The Children's Grief-Management Book (The Emotional Impact Series)
Parents, counselors, and others who help children deal with death and other losses greatly appreciate this book. It helps children understand about the natural process of grief and to cope with their feelings.
Don't Feed the Monster on Tuesdays!: The Children's Self-Esteem Book
Right on a child's level, the author helps children develop the power of positive thinking and helps the negative monster become smaller. There are points which can help all of us.

A Volcano in My Tummy: Helping Children to Handle Anger: A Resource Book for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers
Eliane Whitehouse, Warwick Pudney
Children learn ways to handle the volcano of angry feelings through activities, stories, articles, and games. This popular book uses a developmental approach and deals with many subjects.

Hot Stuff to Help Kids Chill Out: The Anger and Stress Management Book
and More Hot Stuff to Help Kids Chill Out: The Anger and Stress Management Book
Jerry Wilde
A child psychologist uses humor and practical tips to help children and teens gain better self-control. As with so many books of this nature, it is recommended for parents or teachers to read these books with their children. If you only buy one, you might prefer the first one.

Big Bad Bruce
Bill Peet
Ages 4-8
Don't be a bully. Bill Peet's special humor in his delightful illustrations and text help teach a valuable lesson about this. Most of us wish that bullies would pick on someone their own size or someone bigger. Bruce is a bully of a bear who makes the mistake of picking on a small but fiesty witch.

Nobody Knew What to do
Becky Ray McCain
All ages
Children often need guidance to learn the difference between idle tattling and reporting behavior which needs to be stopped for the protection of individuals and/or the group. They often feel as helpless as the title implies when they see someone being bullied. This book helps give them the courage to report information which needs to be reported. It is an entertaining story with a memorable message for parents and teachers as well as for children. One source of anger is the lack of involvement from authority figures. Use this with The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence

Telling Isn't Tattling
Kathryn M. Hammerseng, Dave Garbot (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Sometimes children endure horrid suffering because they are afraid of "tattling." These thirteen stories help children see the difference between necessary "telling" and unnecessary "tattling." This book offers relief from the highly stressful situation of being afraid to tell but desperately needing to tell.

To Everything
Bob Barner
Ages 4-8 and older
Verses from Ecclesiastes are presented in a colorful setting. Discussion items and related art activities add depth and understanding to the significance of the Biblical text: "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens."

Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem
Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, Pamela Espeland
Ages 9-12
The reviews at Amazon.com express feelings about how this book has helped the whole family, not just the children. The title says it well. You might want to use this with A Teacher's Guide to Stick Up for Yourself: A 10-Part Course in Self-Esteem and Assertiveness for Kids: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem

We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices
Lauren Murphy Payne, Claudia Rohling
Ages 4-8
"Why can't you get along!" Frustrated adults often say or think this. Here is the "how-to" book which helps children learn how to act and react in ways that lead to conflict resolution and peacemaking. A Leader's Guide to We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices has activities, discussion questions, and reproducible handouts.

The Buzz & Pixie Activity Coloring Book: An Entertaining Way to Help Young Children Understand Their Behavior
Bruce A. Brunger
It often helps for younger to express themselves by coloring and using simple activities. We can gain insights into their concerns.

Stop Bullying Bobby!
Dana Smith-Mansell
An often overlooked aspect of the bullying situation is the bully's need to develop responsibility for improved behavior and the responsibility of teachers, parents, and classmates. This engaging story is from the perspective of a child who saw a new classmate bullied. She took action by confiding in her parents and the teacher. The school counselor used puppets to help children develop understanding. The victim and two of the bullies began some new behaviors. If the book ended here, it might seem to be an oversimplification of a difficult problem. However at this point, the author opens the door for valuable discussions. The last four pages list items with these headings.
    1. Ways Children Can Cope with Bullying
    2. Ways Parents, Teachers, and other Adults Can Help Children Who Are Being Bullied
    3. Ways to Help Bullies Change
    4. Places to Call for Help or Advice
    5. Web Sites to Visit for Helpful Advice
I highly recommend this for parents and school personnel to use with children. The author is a preschool service coordinator and behavioral consultant working with special needs children and their families providing emotional and social support.

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Anti-Bullying And Teasing Book: For Preschool Classrooms
Barbara Sprung, Merle Froschl and Dr. Blythe Hinitz
Research and practical experiences on the topic of bullying have indicated a great need for intervention by educators. The book cites a study which indicated that 71% of the time the people in charge were uninvolved although they were present. This book is a valuable aid in changing that unfortunate picture. The activities in this book were carefully researched and pilot tested by experienced educators. It is highly recommended that educators study the introduction, how to use the guide, tips for being sure children understand the vocabulary and concepts, the carefully selected list of websites and children's books, etc. The violence in older children usually has its beginnings in the early years. This book offers hope for having a positive effect before the patterns of violence become firmly established.

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence
Barbara Coloroso
Other children aren't the only passive bystanders. Parents and teachers are bystanders sometimes as well. We have reached a state of bullies bullying the administration even with the help of lawyers. This book offers practical suggestions and hope for action. Parents and teachers can make a big difference. Use this book with Nobody Knew What to do, Big Bad Bruce, and other books in the children's section of this page. Read the article, Self-control or Teacher Control of Students, for information about peace circles, personal responsibility, quality school work, the role of behaviorism, and a message about school shootings which was written by the father of one of the Columbine victims.

The Silence Within: A Teacher Parent Guide to Working with Selectively Mute and Shy Children
Gail Goetze Kervatt
Sometimes parents and educators overlook the shy, sensitive child because of the demands of children which we wish would be less loud and less persistent. Gail Kervatt is a reading specialist who successfully reached a child who was mute in school and all social situations for five years! Learn how she did it. Her book is different from other books on the topic because it is written by a teacher for other teachers and guidance counselors. It is even presented in a lesson plan format. Gain insights for reaching shy children who are not as extreme as this child. Consider various aspects of mute and shy behavior which might or might not involve anger.

Helping Your Angry Child: Worksheets, Fun Puzzles, and Engaging Games to Help You Communicate Better: A Workbook for You and Your Family
Darlyne Gaynor, Ph.D. Nemeth, Kelly Paulk, Ph.D. Ray, Maydel Morin Schexnayder
Children and parents use this workbook to practice essential skills of anger management. There are exercises, games, and suggestions for diet and relaxation.

104 Activities That Build: Self-Esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self-Discovery, CopingSkills
Alanna Jones
A certified recreational therapist designed activities for elementary school aged children. She has variations to adapt for different groups. It is important to follow the debriefing to help develop understanding and application of the activities.

The Anger Workbook: A 13-Step Interactive Plan to Help You...
Dr. Les Carter and Dr. Frank Minirth
This is a valuable Christian approach to anger management.

Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
Lessons are often best taught by extiting examples from stories. More than 300 stories are arranged by categories and reading levels for easy selections from novels, legends, folktales, Bible stories, picture books, biographies, etc. Listings give summaries and publishers' names.

A Teacher's Guide to Stick Up for Yourself: A 10-Part Course in Self-Esteem and Assertiveness for Kids: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem
Gershen Kaufman, Lev Raphael, Pamela Espeland
This is for use with Stick Up for Yourself: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power & Positive Self-Esteem

A Leader's Guide to We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices
Lauren Murphy Payne, Claudia Rohling
Use with preschool through grade 3
Teach children to think in terms of choices rather than just to react. There are valuable messages here for all of us: the golden rule, look before you leap, etc. This guide has activities, discussion questions, and reproducible handouts for use with We Can Get Along: A Child's Book of Choices.

10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting: Nurturing Your Child's Soul
Mimi Doe and Marsha Walch, Ph. D.
Here are inspiring, practical ideas which parents of all faiths can use to nurture children's innate spirituality. Many parents have expressed their delight in finding these concrete guidelines for helping children develop positive values including coping skills. There are ideas for sharing childhood wonderment, conversations, and other activities. Mimi Doe leads workshops on spiritual parenting. She is the co-founder of Pink Bubble Productions which develops nonviolent, multicultural programming for children.

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