When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry (by Molly Bang)

Finally, a bout of tears erases the last vestiges of Sophie's anger. Now she is ready to climb her favorite tree and let nature console her. A soothed and collected Sophie returns to the welcoming embrace of her family.

This accessible story helps kids understand that anger is a natural response, that it happens to almost everyone, and that there are ways to manage it. Most important, the author reassures children that their families will still love them when it's over. Full-color pages are alight with blazing reds, oranges, and purples at the height of Sophie's rage, only to be replaced with tranquil blues and serene greens as her equilibrium is restored.

Most kids will recognize their own behavior in Sophie's outburst. Molly Bang encourages readers to be responsible for their anger and angry actions, showing how Sophie works to resolve her anger on her own -- without time-outs or punishment. Sophie's choice of anger management -- running -- may be problematic for some parents. While older children can understand that Sophie is removing herself from the situation in order to calm down, younger children may require additional adult commentary.