ANGRY ME

Anger comes in many different forms.

Clenched fists, hunched shoulders, furrowed brows, and a downturned mouth—undoubtedly the young girl protagonist is angry. Her self-aware first-person narration reveals that anger can stem from many underlying emotions. The girl presents various scenarios. When sharing a stuffed animal gets thorny, she reflects: “Sometimes I get angry when I feel like people are being mean.” That is called “ ‘It’s my turn!’ angry.” Or if she finds a puzzle difficult and frustrating, that is called “ ‘I can’t do it!’ angry.” Anger can even spring from sadness; the girl refers to this as “ ‘But why?’ angry” as she looks at a photo of a man who is presumably her deceased grandfather. The second half of the book revisits each scenario, this time offering the possible solution of using words to help diffuse or understand anger. But that can be difficult, too: “Sometimes I can’t think of any words at all, just mad sounds.” Familiar coping mechanisms—such as counting or breathing exercises—aren’t mentioned, though the girl, who has straight black hair and tanned skin, does scribble on paper furiously and cathartically when “anger comes from deep inside and bursts out.” Readers of all ages will identify with the rush of this familiar emotion, explored so sensitively in the book’s thoughtful narrative and emotive, textured digital illustrations. The protagonist’s caregivers are an interracial couple; background characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A valuable tool for teaching children the important skill of recognizing and naming feelings.