Mad Isn't Bad

Author: Michaelene Mundy; Illustrated by R.W. Alley

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Anger

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Abbey Press; St. Meinrad, IN

ISBN#: 0-87029-3331-1

Target Age Level: Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: colorful, non-threatening

Brief Summary: Book about an elf that is learning to deal with his anger. Discusses what causes anger in children/people, talks about why anger isn't "bad", and how to use anger positively. Talks about how to obtain help from adults and how anger can lead to negative and unhealthy behaviors.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Good book to use for anger, but can also be used to talk about other negative emotions. Anger tends to be a common response to a variety of trauma or crises so this is a helpful book for children.

Activity:
1. Read book 2. Talk about a time the child was mad and how they dealt with it 3. Talk about options (both good and bad) of behaviors when the child is mad 4. Have the child draw or write out what they plan to do next time they get angy.

Touchtender

Title: Touchtender

Author: Niid La'i; Illustrated by Tyler Thompson

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: self-esteem, depression, anxiety, fear, therapy, love, twisted thinking

Year of Publication: not yet published, copy right 2001

Publisher & Location: none (I can order copies if you are interested)

ISBN#: none

Target Age Level: Lower and Upper Elementary. I also use with Junior High and High School

# of Pages: 34

Quality of Illustrations: black and white, non-threatening, excellent use of drawings

Brief Summary: A child talks about different feelings, including feeling left out and depressed, angry, hurt, having poor self-esteem. Child also talks about being in therapy and getting mad at therapist sometimes.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like this book a lot. It covers a range of topics and can be used for a variety of situations. non-threatening and easy to read to a child or with a child. And, again, I use it with adolescents who have been hurt as children.

Activity:
Discuss what makes the child feel "touch tender" and compare it with person in book. Have the child write their own book of what makes them feel "touchtender".

Don't Feed the Monster on Tuesdays!

Author: Adolph Moser, Ed.D; Illustrated by David Melton

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: self-esteem, negative emotions ("bad feelings"), can be used for suicide prevention or explanation of suicide for young children

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Landmark Editions, Inc., Kansas City MO

ISBN#: 0-933849-38-9

Target Age Level: Pre-K, Lower and Upper Elementary

# of Pages: 55

Quality of Illustrations: colorful, non-threatening images.

Brief Summary: Not a parenting book so much as a book for parents to read with their children, “Don’t Feed the Monster” helps kids understand negative self-talk by picturing a nasty green monster who lives in your head and says mean things. With colorful cartoons and kid-friendly language, the book offers explanations for those bad feelings and ways to overcome them.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: good book for a variety of problems including self-esteem, image, emotions, positive and negative self-talk. Really, you can use it for any issue you would like. The "green monster" can be anything you want it to be (if you are a little creative).

Activity:
Have the child draw a picture of their "monster". Have them name the monster. Talk about the book and have the children choose one day not to feed their monster. Have them make a poster stating "Don't Feed the Monster on _____day" and hang it up in their room.