Product Review

I Feel Mad is the 1st in the series of workbooks authored by social-emotional learning experts, Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea. The co-authors of the How to Make and Keep Friends book series have more than 30 years of combined experience in social coaching children. Donna and Nadine's books teach children to use their simple, actionable, and proven strategies for increased social success.

."Being mad is not bad at all. It's just another feeling, such as being happy or excited. It's what you do when you are mad that might cause problems or get you into trouble."

In this easy-to-read and beautifully illustrated workbook, we discuss with kids that anger is a normal emotion that everyone experiences. Learning to manage that anger and frustration appropriately is a critical life skill. Kids will learn how to identify the physical sensations and triggers of anger and implement strategies before it becomes too hot to handle. With a menu of safe ideas to choose from when anger strikes, the tips and strategies in our workbook include:

• Understanding that anger is usually the second emotion that comes after feeling hurt, sad, ignored or helpless;
• "Taking the temperature" of the angry emotion and implementing strategies to prevent an explosion;
• Learning the one important anger rule to remember;
• Creative "brainstorms" to manage anger safely (for example, drawing a picture of how mad you are and putting in the freezer to "cool off);
• Becoming an expert problem-solver so that angry situations cool down quickly; 
• Our strategies of "Talk-Walk-Ask" and "Stop-Drop-Roll" to diffuse angry moments;
• And more!