"Sometimes you throw a tantrum
'cause you didn't get your way.
You want that snack.
You want that toy.
You want to stay and play."
Kids have strong emotions; everyone does. How those emotions are handled is the premise for this book that helps young children to understand what is going on with their bodies when seemingly intolerable feelings make their way to the forefront. It might be felt in the chest, or the head. Breathing becomes intense, the face gets hot, and hands become fists. Oh, boy - there is about to be an explosion!
Powerful reactions come from a wide variety of places. They can be different from one day to another, and the feelings can vary in intensity.
"No matter what the cause of it,
with practice you can pause a fit
or stop a fit before it begins."
Mr. Wolf then offers viable suggestions for slowing a frenzied outburst. He suggests taking a deep breath, and counting to ten, before he provides ten potential ways to 'temper' those big feelings. The invitations are simply stated, and sure to have kids willing to try them out. Each is accompanied by digitally finished tissue paper collage illustrations that give guidance for settling into new degrees of calm.
Days don't always go exactly the way we had hoped. The options shown will motivate readers to give some a try, and see what works for them. Practicing them will induce giggles, while also giving them a toolbox for quieting those big feelings that are a part of growth and learning. I dare to say they might also work for whoever is reading the book to a child.
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