Re-posted from my site the parenting advice-o-pedia, Minti.

So this morning I was going to write some advice down about dealing with the morning get-to-school rush, when my own cleverly orchestrated morning came crashing to a complete stop. Cate wanted to wear a dress that was slit up to her waist (the slit had torn to immodest proportions.) When I said she had to pick something else, it turned into a full blown tempter tantrum complete with “I wish you were not my mother!!!” and “I wish I’d never been born.” This was followed by her older sister waking up and immediately crying because, “There is no peace in this house and I need a peaceful morning to get centered!!!”

Needless to say, my girls are emotional.

Because I’m the proud mother of a couple of psychic-sponges, I’ve amassed a lovely collection of picture books that help children deal with emotions. In fact, I quoted from the first one to help Cate when I dropped her off at school. “Today was a hard day. Tomorrow will be better.”

Hope these books make your today, and your tomorrows, better!

1. Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day, by Jamie Lee Curtis

A colorful little girl makes her way through the emotional spectrum, including a just-generally-glummy day in which she laments “although I’ve got stuff, I’ve go nothing to do!” Fun rhymes and fantastic illustrations!

2. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes

Lilly’s impulsive (mis)behavior leads her to conflict with her favorite teacher, but notes and pictures bring them back in alignment with each other after harsh words are spoken.

3. The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum, by Deborah Blumenthal

I love how the clever illustrations really capture the out-of-control feelings a child has during a tantrum. A quiet reconciliation ends this frustrating day for mom and child. This book was Eden’s favorite when she was three. We read it every day.

4. Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worries about big things, small things, and things in between. She’s REALLY worried about preschool — until a clever teacher and an equally worried pal helps her gain confidence in the day.

5. We Were Going to Have a Baby, But We Had an Angel Instead, by Pat Schewibert

This simple, no-frills book does a nice job of helping children deal with a miscarrige or still birth. It’s especially helpful because it deal with a young child who is seeing his mother cry over the loss. A healing book for a specific emotional situation.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 5th, 2007 at 9:18 am and is filed under Magpie Girl, Magpie Mama, Magpie Reviews, Rachelle Mee-Chapman.
Tags: books, children, children's books, kids, parenting, reviews



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