Children's Literature

Teachers and parents seem to be faced more and more with young people unable to control their anger or handle emotions appropriately. This workbook is a guide for students, with the aid of an adult, to understand their feelings, their effect on others, and how to handle them appropriately. An introduction for parents and/or caregivers gives an overview of the program and encourages a timely reading and practicing of the skills with the young person. The young person is encouraged to represent his or her feelings on paper as anger and discuss its outcomes, as well as record the practicing of the four anger-dousing methods of handling emotions. The author, a clinical psychologist, suggests that the book could be used for students from six years-old to twelve-years-old, but some of the written activities seem too juvenile to interest older elementary and middle school students. The principles are sound, however, even for adults. There is plenty to think about and some neat activities to practice, and the book stresses practice. Occasional black-and-white drawings and activities help keep interest high. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.