When Sophie gets angry - really, really angry (Book)

Bang, M. (1999). When Sophie gets angry - really, really angry. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press. ISBN: 0-590-18979-4

Interest Level: Ages 7 to 2
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Anger, Emotions, Coping Skills, Behavior, Siblings, Temper Tantrums, Sharing

Plot: Sophie is playing with her stuffed gorilla when her sister comes and takes it away.  Sophie's mother tells her that it is her sister's turn to play with the gorilla.  Sophie becomes very very angry, so angry she wants to smash everything.  Sophie ends up throwing a temper tantrum and then runs outside to her favorite tree.  In the tree's branches, she cries and begins to slowly calm down.  After she's completely calm, Sophie returns home to her family who are all working together on a puzzle.

Personal Thoughts: One of the things I like about this book is that it talks about ways in which to deal with anger.  Sophie runs to her tree to be alone and calm down.  The book prompts children to think about what they should do when their angry.  Parents and educators can use this book as a tool for starting a discussion about the right and wrong ways that children express anger.  The illustrations are great, conveying the emotional ride that Sophie is on through the story very well.

Awards/Recognition:
Caldecott Medal Honor Award (2000)
Jane Addams Children's Book Honor Award (2000)
Charlotte Zolotow Award (2000)

Author Website: Molly Bang's Website
Other Books by the Author: The day Leo said I hate you (2008); The paper crane (1985); Ten, nine, eight (1983); Chattanooga sludge (1996)