Welcome back to Bookstr’s Three to Read Jr.! In this series, we explore three books for young readers — one for early readers, one for elementary readers, and one for middle grade readers. This week, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re looking at books that explore emotional regulation by helping little readers learn how to manage big emotions in healthy and affirming ways.
EARLY READERS
My Calm Down Book by Rose Rossner, Illustrated by Amanda Morrow
SYNOPSIS:
When you’re very small, big feelings can quickly become overwhelming. For times like these, one of the most effective ways to find one’s calm can be to find a safe and quiet space to work through the physical effects of anger, sadness, frustration, or anxiety, especially with the aid of calming sensory tools. Soothing, simple rhymes that walk readers through deep breathing and muscle relaxation combine with occupational therapist–approved interactive elements to guide kids through their feelings in My Calm Down Book.
WHY:
Rossner and Morrow have designed an excellent book for helping very young readers regulate big emotions, incorporating occupational therapist–approved elements such as flip sequins, gravity liquid, and even a scratch-and-sniff lavender page. Both the text and illustrations offer supportive depictions of intense emotions, letting children know that feeling negative is normal, yet assuring them that it will pass. All this combines to create not just a soothing story but a welcome, practical tool for kids just learning how to regulate their emotions.
ELEMENTARY READERS
That’s My Truck!: A Good Inside Story About Hitting by Dr. Becky Kennedy, Illustrated by Joanie Stone
SYNOPSIS:
After getting past all the “annoying kid stuff” of the morning — brushing his teeth, washing his hands, etc. — Charlie is ready for a day of fun playing with his toys. However, an unexpected sight greets him when he enters the playroom: His little sister Pia is playing with his favorite toy. His brand new fire truck! The shiny red one with the realistic siren sounds! Overcome with anxiety that Pia will break the toy, he attempts to wrestle it away from her, and when she refuses, he hits her in frustration. When his mom runs in to break things up, Charlie is suddenly struck by a new fear: Is he a bad kid?
WHY:
Based on the “Good Inside” philosophy of psychologist and online parenting coach Dr. Becky, this look at an extremely common childhood issue — especially for little ones with siblings — offers an approach to loss of emotional control that is empathetic to both parties. Charlie and Pia’s mom is quick to instruct both her children that hitting is never okay but also helps Charlie work through the feelings of agitation that led to the hit in the first place. Rather than demonizing Charlie’s inability to regulate his anger, something that all children need time to learn, Charlie’s mom empowers him to calm down, be considerate of his sister, and practice patience.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
Sam by Eric Walters
SYNOPSIS:
After breaking the nose of his high school bully with a soda can, 14-year-old Sam has landed himself in Johnson Juvenile Center with an assault charge. Orphaned at a young age and filled with anger — the soda can incident is only the latest in Sam’s history of losing his temper — the redhead reluctantly agrees to be on his best behavior until his court date in six weeks. But when the facility’s teacher, Mrs. Martinez, assigns him Anne of Green Gables to read, he can’t help but show his disdain. Why should he care about some random girl in an old book, and how could her story possibly have anything to do with his messed-up life?
WHY:
It’s not uncommon for children entering puberty to have issues with emotional regulation, especially kids who have been through trauma, like Sam. Walters handles the combination of teenage angst and trauma response thoughtfully here, offering young readers suggestions of several ways to process and overcome overwhelming emotions through Sam’s story, from learning how to build a stable support network to finding guidance and inspiration in hobbies — including reading. Ultimately, Sam is given the opportunity to take the reins of his temper, and his story has a hopeful ending, one that adolescents dealing with their own emotional turmoil will appreciate.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read Jr.! We hope you’ll join us in future installments to see more of our recommendations for young bookworms.
To read our other Three to Read articles, click here!
Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
