Bibliotherapy
** - signifies this book is available at St. Mary's School Library or from the St. Mary's Counseling Office
Anger
**When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang, 1999, Big Blue Sky Press. A great way to introduce a discussion of anger to children and explore ways to alleviate the strain that it causes. Grades K-3
Amazing Mallika
by Jami Parkison, 1997, MarshMedia. Mallika is a tiger with a temper. It takes
her awhile to figure out that being angry is no fun and that tantrums don't make
things better. Grades 1-5
Don't Rant and Rave on Wednesdays!: The Children's Anger-Control Book
by Adolph Moser, Ed.D., 1994, Landmark Editions
Dr. Moser explains the causes of anger and offers methods to control anger.
Grades 1-5
Mad Isn't Bad: A Child's Book About Anger by Michaelene Mundy,
1999, Abbey Press. Students learn that it's okay to be angry. It's what they do
with their anger that matters. Grades 1-4
When I Feel Angry
by Cornelia Maude Spelman, 2000, Albert Whitman & Company. Grades Pre-K-2
Apologizing/Forgiveness
Franklin Says Sorry
by Paulette Bourgeois, 1999 Scholastic. Franklin and Bear have been friends
forever, but Franklin lets a secret out of the bag. Find out how they mend
their friendship. Grades K-3
I Did It, I'm Sorry by
Caralyn and Mark Buehner, 1998, Puffin. A hilarious quiz book where students are
invited to select the appropriate behavior from a series of choices. Grades K-3
Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
by Diane DeGroat, 1996, Mulberry Books. How can Gilbert write a nice Valentine
poem for a boy who tweaked his nose, or the girl who made fun of his glasses?
Grades K-3
I'm Sorry by Sam
McBratney, 2000 HarperCollins. Discusses the ups and downs of friendships.
Grades K-2
What Have you Done, Davy? by Brigitte Weninger, 1999 North-South Books. Grades K-2
Bad Language
Andrew's Angry Words
by Dorothea Lachner, 1995, North-South Books. Andrew got mad and before he knew
it, he shouted the biggest bunch of angry words! Grades K-3
The Berenstain Bears and the Big Blooper
by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 2000, Random House. Mama Bear explains to Sister
Bear about words that adults and cubs alike should not use at any time. Grades
K-2
Elbert's Bad Word by
Audrey Wood, 1988, Voyager Books. After shocking his parents and guests by using
bad words, Elbert learns some acceptable substitutes for inappropriate
language. Grades K-4
Feelings and Emotions
The Feelings Storybook
by Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D., 1998, ABC Feelings Inc.A collection of 26
one-page feeling stories with questions at the end for discussion.
Grades K-3
How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods
by Saxton Freymann, et al., 1999, Arthur A. Levine Books. This Popular book
features photos of food sculptures that are quite expressive of human feelings
and emotions. Grades K-6
Little Feelings by
Judy Barton, 1998, Prometheus Books. A collection of 26 delightful poems. You
can use these poems to help your students understand and accept their feelings.
Grades 2-5
**Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day
by Jaime Lee Curtis, 1998, Harper Collins. A very animated book, humorous that reminds us that we have
all kinds of days!
**The Way I Feel by Janan Cain, 2004, Parenting Press. "Silly is the way I feel when I make a funny face/ and wear a goofy, poofy hat that takes up lots of space"
Bullies and Being Bullied
The Ant Bully by John Nickle, 2006, Scholastic. Lucas's funny glasses and strange hat make him a perfect target for Sid, the neighborhood bully, and, since Lucas can't fight Sid, he tortures defenseless ants instead. Grades K-2.
**Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, 2007, Greenwillow Books. Until Chrysanthemum started kindergarten, she believed her parents when they said her name was perfect. Grades K-2
The Berenstain Bears and the Bully by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 1993, Random House. The entire Bear family is up in arms when Sister Bear comes home in tears after dealing with a bully! Grades K-2
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 1995, Random House. Brother Bear is a master at teasing--until the tables are turned and he's the one being heckled for being the principal's pet. Grades K-2
Why is Everyone Always Picking on Me: A guide to handling bullies by Terrence Webster-Doyle, 1999, Weatherhill. This is a workbook for bullies and victims. Grades 4-8
**The Revealers by Doug Wilheim, 2005, Farrar, Straus and Giroux. More than just a realistic and suspenseful YA novel ... It's a powerful tool for adults who want to address bullying in their schools and communities. Grades 4-9
Bully On the Bus by
Carl Bosch, 1988, Parenting Press. Jack is being teased by a bully on the bus.
Should Jack ignore him, ask an adult for help, or fight back? The book has
alternate endings that students can choose. Grades 3-6
Stop Picking On Me: A First Look at Bullying
by Pat Thomas, 2000, Barron's. This book explores the difficult issue of
bullying in reassuringly simple terms. It helps kids accept the normal fears
and worries that accompany bullying. Grades K-2
How to Handle Bullies, Teasers, and Other Meanies
by Kate Cohen-Posey, 1995, Rainbow Books, Inc. This book covers namecalling,
prejudice, anger, and more. Contains more than 12 ways for melting meanness.
Grades 3-6
Friendship
How To Be a Friend: A Guide To Making
Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie and Mark Brown,
1998, Little/Brown. Uses dinosaur characters to show the value of friends.
Grades K-3
**How To Lose All Your Friends
by Nancy Carlson, 1994, Puffin. If you don't want any friends, be sure to follow
the advice in this humorous book! Grades K-4
A Rainbow of Friends
by P. K. Hallinan, 1994, Ideals. Children are urged to treat everyone with
kindness and care regardless of differences. Grades K-3
**The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 1982, Random House. The usually compatible Brother and Sister Bear are fighting--all day long! Mama Bear helps them realize that everyone argues once in a while, even with loved ones. Grades K-2
**Speak Up and Get Along! by Scott Cooper, 2005, Free Spirit. Learn the Mighty Might, Thought Chop, and more tools to make friends, stop teasing, and feel good about yourself. Grades 2-6
Being Yourself
Annie's Gifts
by Angela Medearis, 1994, Just Us Books. Annie learns that everyone doesn't have
the same talents, but the gifts she possesses are important, too. Grades 2-5
**Different Just Like Me
by Lori Mitchell, 1999, Charlesbridge Publishing. The visual differences between
people are striking, but looking beyond that, we are really similar! Grades 1-5
Stephanie's Ponytail
by Robert Munsch, 1996 Annick Press. The story of one girl's experiment with
self-expression--through her hair! Grades 1-3
Tacky the Penguin by
Helen Lester, 1988, Houghton Mifflin. Tacky is an odd bird. He feels badly that
he doesn't fit in with his companions. Grades K-3
Divorce/Step Families
Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide For Changing
Families by Laurie and Mark Brown, 1986,
Little/Brown. A book to help families deal with the confusion, misconceptions,
and anxieties likely to arise with a divorce. Grades K-3
Divorce Happens To the Nicest Kids: A Self-Help
Book for Kids and Adults by Michael Prokop, M.Ed.
1996, Alegra House. This book explains dovorce in a positive, reassuring
manner. It has a workbook companion called, Kids' Divorce Workbook. Grades K-6
It's Not Your Fault, KoKo Bear: A Read Together
Book for Parents & Young Children During Divorce
by Vicki Lansky, 1998, Book Peddlers. KoKo, a lovable bear, unfortunately must
learn what divorce really means. Grades K-3
When Mom and Dad Divorce: A Kid's Resource
by Emily Menendez-Aponte, 1999, Abbey Press. The author assures children that
divorce is not their fault, and that they will always be loved and cared for.
(There are several references to God in this book.) Grades K-3
Grief/Loss
**The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia, 1982, Slack Incorporated. As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns that death is part of life. All Ages.
**Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert, 2005,
Greif Watch. It will validate your grief experience, and you can share it with
your children. All Ages.
It Must Hurt a Lot: A Book about Death and Learning and Growing by Doris Sanford, 1985, Multnomah Books. Describes a boy's reactions of anger, grief, and eventual acceptance when his dog dies. Grades K-2
**Please contact Sara for book recommendations on other topics**
Additional Resources
Books that Heal Kids - a wonderful resource with TONS of recommendations for children's and young adult books on topics ranging from character development to friendship issues to family issues to relaxation and EVERYTHING in between! **highly recommended**