Mad Isn't Bad: A Child's Book About Anger (Elf-Help Books for Kids)

Rating:
Summary: The BEST for teaching young kids anger management skills
Review: Anger that leads to aggressive behavior is one of the number one reasons that parents of young children seek counseling. Parents often feel at a loss as to how to teach their children skills for anger management, and kids don't know that there are choices about how to express this emotion without aggression. An excerpt from the note to parents in the beginning of the book states, "What a gift we offer children when we show them that we can channel the energy of anger to make constructive changes and get positive results. We can teach them the benefit of talking it out, rather than slugging it out; the value of creative, assertive confrontation; the helpfulness of physical outlets for frustration; the value of letting go and forgiving." This book does an excellent job of communicating to young people the positive and peaceful ways of handling anger. The beautiful and expressive illustrations are an added bonus. As a practicing Child and Family Therapist, I have often used this book for pre-readers, who I have tell the story to me based just on what the illustrations show. This has led to some wonderful discussions about solving anger problems, as the children relate to what the characters are experiencing.

Mad Isn't Bad says children have choices-just as caring adults have choices about what to teach children about anger. Through understanding what anger feels like and what triggers it, we can learn and teach healthy ways to handle it. Mad Isn't Bad is a book every parent, teacher, and caring adult will appreciate. It offers children a positive and honest view of anger and what to do with it.

Rating:
Summary: Don't bother with this one.
Review: Enough of the pop-psych! This book bores my kids. It also bores me. There's no plot, no story, nothing.
So many children's books try to be self-help books that are geared for adults. Most kids don't need this and don't want this.
I also disagree with the way the whole subject is handled in this book. One example, "it's okay to be mad at God." I don't want to teach that to my kids. This is just another one of those books with a message, no plot, no in-depth characters, and so forth.
I once read that books that do not stir a child's imagination are a waste of time. This book is a waste of time. My suggestion - try to avoid all the self-help/pop pscyh trends, and go for the REAL books, books with a good story line.

Rating:
Summary: Mad Isn't Bad
Review: This is a wonderful book to use in the classroom. When teaching diversity or having group discussions or just helping students accept other students who may have behavioral issues due to personal problems, Mad Isn't Bad can be used in sections or units. I wouldn't recommend reading it all at once rather using it as a tool to teach about anger and how to deal with anger. It is surprising how children exposed to such discussions can help improve classroom dynamics!