I Was So Mad

Frustrating. Most the book was good in building understanding of getting mad with examples that are easily relatable for kids. However, the ending was awful. Instead of pointing out the mix of emotions, coping skills, or problem-solving ideas or promoting curiosity in meaning of emotions or promoting conversation, etc....the book inexplicably ends with some of the character's friends coming to ask if he can play, his mom giving permission for him to go (after a day of behavioral concerns and lack of addressing anger), and him going off with his friends saying "maybe I will be mad tomorrow too." Umm...what? It is literally talking about tabling the emotion and bringing it out tomorrow. No resolution at all, no greater understanding of emotion, no consequences for anything or insight....just bizarre. The lost potential thrown away at the end is almost painful. Not for therapy.

This book is just ok. The story is cute, but the ending is not what I was looking for. After a day that goes wrong every step of the way, the frustration builds until his friends come and they go play. I think it has value, the illustrations are great and the kids love the story, but the end requires more discussion.