Books exploring anger
Below are a range of books that help children understand the feeling of anger. All of the suggested follow on activities will work best if they are done collaboratively with your child. Help your child understand their emotions by sharing how the emotion feels to you. Working collaboratively will help to make the activities more worthwhile, enjoyable and feel safe.
Angry Arthur by Hiawyn Oram is about a boy called Arthur whose anger becomes so large it destroys the world. The descriptive language used in this book is just wonderful. This book is a great springboard for starting a discussion about anger.
After reading this book you could discuss what anger feels like in your body and think up ways to describe it. The illustrations might inspire you to make your own representations of anger.
Unfortunately Angry Arthur is not available on Bookshop.org, but you can find it at other retailers.
The Red Beast by Kay Al-Ghani, describes anger as a red beast and explores ways to tame it. Danni’s red beast sleeps inside him until it is woken. When it wakes it grows and grows. The story explains in child friendly language that listening and staying in control is hard when the red beast grows. It helps children and adults to understand what is happening to their bodies when anger makes them lose control. The book also shares strategies to stay in control.
When you have read this book you might like to make your own red beast. Then think about what makes your own red beast wake up and what strategies you can use to stay calm and in control.
See The Red Beast on Bookshop.org
Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival tells the story of Ravi, a little boy who lets out his inner tiger and realises the importance of expressing his feelings appropriately and making amends.
After reading this book you could discuss why it is important to share feelings in an appropriate way. You can explain that no feelings are bad, then discuss different appropriate ways anger can be expressed.
See Ravi’s Roar on Bookshop.org
Erika and the Angermare is the first book in the Dream Defenders Series by Tom Percival. In this book Erika is overcome with anger and finds her dream being overtaken by an Angermare. With the help of the dream defenders, Erika goes on a fantastic adventure and learns how to control her anger.
After reading this book, encourage children to reflect on how Erika felt when the Angermare was close to her and how she tamed it.
See Erika and the Angermare on Bookshop.org
You can view all my Bookshop.org book lists here: Play Therapy London Bookshop
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If you have any suggestions of books to add to this list please let me know.
