These children’s books bring humor and an opportunity to connect with your child while reading about characters who struggle with the same things we do! The books are divided into categories so you can choose the ones that are most needed in your home or classroom.
Controlling Impulses
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons shows how a positive attitude and a clever song are great strategies for maintaining self control.
What If Everybody Did That? helps kids to see the consequences of impulsive activities and to consider what the world would be like if everybody did exactly as they felt.
Hands Off Harry follows the impulsive antics of Harry who forgets about personal space in the classroom. He quickly learns with the help of an innertube, how using self control shows respect to everyone. (This book is so wordy but has really good strategies!)
Interrupting
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker is an adorable story about an owl who loves to talk. But when she loses her voice one day, she realizes all the things she has missed by doing so much talking and not enough listening. It takes self control to listen and give others a chance to share!
Interrupting Chicken is a hilarious book about bedtime stories between a father and daughter. Even my oldest still enjoys laughing and listening to this one!
Controlling Anger
When I Feel Angry does an amazing job teaching kids that there is a difference in feeling an impulse and acting on it! It is filled with relatable examples of things that make us angry or upset, and wonderful strategies to implement.
Fergal and the Bad Temper is about a dinosaur who can’t keep his cool. This book offers several ways to tame the “that’s not fair” monster.
More, More, More
Just One More provides a humorous anecdote for kids who ask for more, more, more! It’s a great picture book for littles.
You Get What You Get invites children to repeat the mantra, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit” when they face disappointments. Read and see how Melvin, the main character, uses this statement to build his self control.
Strategies
Breathe Like A Bear, teaches children a simple way to calm down, physically and mentally. Best of all these deep breathing techniques can be used anywhere and at anytime. My boys love the “Hot Chocolate” strategy!
Bunny Breaths and Calm Down Time are also great books for strategies on regaining self control. These two are board books and seem most appropriate for 2-4 year olds.
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days is a rhyming book that shares a variety of ways superheroes and kids can deal with sad, mad or bad days without causing a scene.
