Best Anger Management Books for Kids From Toddlers to Teens

Help children learn how to manage anger, and other overwhelming emotions, in healthy ways with this list of anger management books for kids from toddlers to teens.

Here’s a list of anger management books for kids that can help children from toddlers to teens understand angry feelings, deal with overwhelming emotions, and learn how to calm down and express themselves in appropriate ways. It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s not okay to hurt anyone with our words and actions. This makes the list of children’s books about anger management below an indispensable tool for parents, teachers, and caregivers.

Reading children’s anger management books to kids is a great way to help them learn to self-regulate and develop into healthy, emotionally mature adults. From books for toddlers about hitting and throwing temper tantrums–to books for teens about controlling angry emotional outbursts and violent meltdowns, this list includes the best childrens books about anger management for kids. You might also enjoy this list of Books That Help Kids Understand Their Feelings.

Why is Anger Management an Important Social-Emotional Skill for Kids to Learn?

For several reasons, anger management skills are important to a child’s social-emotional health and development. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we must help kids understand their feelings, deal with anger issues, build self-control, and help them learn to self-regulate. Learning how to manage anger and deal with angry emotions can contribute to a child’s self-regulating ability and lead to emotional intelligence.

Calm-Down Self-Regulation Strategies for kids

Children learn how to manage their anger through basic calming and self-regulation skills by watching and learning from the people they spend the most time with–parents and caregivers.

This means that we (as parents, caregivers, and teachers) must model appropriate behaviors, responses, and reactions to life events and happenings.

For example, when I get angry, I do my best to show my daughter appropriate ways to manage it. This includes using calm-down tools and techniques such as taking a deep breath, counting down from 10, apologizing when necessary, and talking about my feelings when appropriate.

I’m nowhere near perfect–I just do the best I can like every other parent (or teacher) out there. And it doesn’t matter that I spent four years getting my M.A. and pursuing a doctorate in psychology or that I have over 25 years of experience teaching, coaching, and caring for children. I feel road rage sometimes, and I make mistakes–I am human, after all.

The difference is that I avoid regret by finding gratitude for the lesson and using those mistakes to learn how to do better next time. In other words, my mistakes teach me how to be a better parent, teacher (and coach), and person every day, so I’m more likely to avoid the anger trap next time.

Another tool or technique parents and educators can use to help children calm down and manage anger, and other emotional outbursts is reading anger management books aloud to toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.

Why Should I Read Books that Help Children Manage Anger to My Kids?

Reading books about feelings, emotions, and anger management can help children understand the root cause of anger–and learn to cope with big emotions so they don’t explode in anger.

And in my experience as a childcare worker and parent, reading anger management books to children can not only help them learn how to self-regulate–a crucial milestone in their social-emotional development. They can also strengthen children’s emotional intelligence and help them develop a compassionate heart.

I have witnessed the benefits kids’ books about anger management have on children’s social-emotional health and lives. They can help them learn to calm down, understand their feelings, manage anger, learn to self-regulate, develop compassion, and express their emotions in safe and healthy ways.

Thus, reading anger management books can help kids learn to cope with powerful emotions–such as anger, frustration, and shame–and adapt and mature into healthy, emotionally intelligent adults. Why not give it a try!

Related: Social-Emotional Games for Kids

Reading Books About Anger Management is a Great Calm-Down Tool and Self-Regulation Strategy for Kids

One of my favorite childrearing and parenting hacks is reading anger management books for children. And I continue to witness the positive effects that reading these types of books aloud has on the social-emotional development of the children in my care.

Help your children learn to understand emotions, manage anger, and more with Children’s Books about Feelings and any of the Children’s anger management books listed below.

Related: Kids Books That Teach Important Life Lessons

Best Anger Management Books for Kids From Toddlers to Teens

Help children learn to manage anger by reading them books about anger and anger management. Anger management books can help kids understand their feelings, manage anger, and learn to express their emotions in healthy and safe ways.

There are anger management books on this list for kids of all ages; toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, and teens. By reading these short stories and lessons, kids can understand how their emotions and actions are related and learn to manage both.

I can’t promise a magical happily ever after” fairytale ending, but I can promise that reading Children’s books about anger management can help children gain a new perspective and learn how to control their explosive anger and angry emotions over time.

Especially when you combine reading them with consistent positive discipline and heart-to-heart communication about feelings and emotions such as depression–and how to deal with anger in healthy ways.

How to Find The Best Anger Management Book for Your Needs

The list begins with 20 children’s books about biting, kicking, and hitting for toddlers and preschoolers. It concludes with 5 books about anger and managing violent emotional outbursts for those hot-headed teens!

So, if you are looking for anger management books for toddlers and preschoolers–start at the top of the list. And if you are looking for anger management books for older elementary school-aged kids and teens, scroll down to the bottom of this list to find the best books about anger management to suit your needs.

With that said, sometimes books for toddlers work just as well for teens–sometimes simple is better. Use what works best for you and the children in your care.

Social-Emotional Development Books About Anger Management for Toddlers, Preschoolers, Elementary School-Aged kids, and Teens

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. If you click to purchase, Rhythms of Play will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Click on the blue hyperlinked title to learn more about each anger management book for children on the list below.

26 Anger Management Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Here’s a list of social-emotional development books that can help toddlers and preschoolers calm down, manage their anger, and learn to self-regulate. Scroll down toward the bottom of this post for anger management books for older children and teens.

We are constantly updating this list of anger management books that help kids learn to self-regulate with the latest and greatest books recommended by teachers, therapists, and psychologists–since it was first published in September 2016.

This list of books about anger management is divided into categories such as books about kicking, hitting, or biting for toddlers, etc., to make it easy to find the type of anger management book that will work best for you and your family or classroom.

Related: Best Read Aloud Fairy Tales for Children and How They Aid Child Development

Calm Down Books for Toddlers

1. Calm-Down Time (ages 1 – 3) by Elizabeth Verdick

The children in our daycare loved this calm-down book and wanted to read it often. In it, young children can see toddlers of different nationalities using simple tools to calm themselves down and learn to self-regulate.

In this simple story, children learn to use their calm-down place—a quiet space where they can cry, ask for a hug, sing to themselves, be rocked in a grown-up’s arms, talk about feelings, and breathe: “One, two, three . . . I’m calm as can be. I’m taking care of me.”

2. Words Are Not for Hurting (ages 2 – 3) or Words Are Not for Hurting (ages 4 – 7) by Elizabeth Verdick

This is another favorite anger book for kids at my home daycare. It’s amazing how much the children liked these behavior books. I find reading them a bit strange, but they work, so who am I to judge?!

Words Are Not for Hurting is a good book to help toddlers understand the power of words and how they can use positive words instead of negative ones–even when they express negative emotions.

Books for Toddlers About Biting

3. Teeth Are Not for Biting  (ages 2 – 3) by Elizabeth Verdick

I’m not a fan of the title of this children’s anger management book because teeth are for biting–just not for biting others. However, I have discovered this book about biting to be an effective anger management tool for toddlers. It lists several reasons why children might want to bite while it suggests positive things children can do instead of biting. And it also contains helpful tips for parents and caregivers.

Children’s Board Books About Kicking for Toddlers and Preschoolers

4. Feet Are Not for Kicking  (ages 2 – 3) by Elizabeth Verdick

Here’s yet another favorite anger management book for toddlers and preschoolers in my daycare. With simple words and charming full-color illustrations, this book helps little ones learn to use their feet for fun, but not in anger or frustration. This book about kicking for kids also includes tips for parents and caregivers on how to help toddlers be sweet with their feet. 

Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers About Hitting

5. Hands Are Not for Hitting (ages 2 – 4) or Hands Are Not For Hitting (ages 4 – 7) by Martine Agassi Ph.D.

Here’s a book for toddlers about hitting that is great to have on hand when children start hitting each other. It’s never too soon for children to learn that violence is not okay. Hands can do many things, but everyone is capable of using them for good, positive, and loving actions as opposed to harmful or malicious ones.

Related: Gratitude Books for Kids That Inspire Thankfulness

Children’s Books About Hitting, Yelling, and Other Undesirable Behaviors

6. No Hitting!: A Lift-the-Flap Book (ages 2 – 5) by Karen Katz

The title of this book, “No Hitting” is a little misleading. Only the first page actually addresses hitting, while the rest of the book addresses other inappropriate behaviors that kids might do when they are mad. A perfect choice to help steer the kids in my home daycare toward acceptable behaviors and away from the negative ones.

7. I Am Stronger Than Anger (ages 3 – 6) Picture Book About Anger Management And Dealing With Emotions by Elizabeth Cole

Tired of telling your child not to shout or kick things when they are angry? Then this book is the perfect solution for you! When children are angry, they can express their anger through negative actions and other unhealthy behaviors. They might shout, cry, throw things, roll on the floor, or combine these into a massive meltdown. Reading this book to children can help parents and teachers manage their kids’ overwhelming emotions and scary feelings.

8. Voices Are Not For Yelling (ages 4 – 7) by Elizabeth Verdick

As parents and teachers know, yelling comes naturally to children. This friendly, encouraging book, geared to preschool and primary children, introduces and reinforces where and when to use an “indoor voice” or an “outdoor voice.”

Books That Help Kids Manage Anger

9. Roaring Mad Riley: An Anger Management Story for Kids (a story about anger management for kids ages 5 to 7)

No need to roar like a dinosaur! Instead, learn easy ways to stop being angry with a little help from some super friendly dinosaurs. Roaring Mad Riley is a story about anger management for kids that is a picture and activity book, making it fun to learn how to pause and cool down, even when you’re super upset.

10. Today I Am Mad (Anger Management Books for Kids Ages 3-5, Self-Regulation Skills Book 1) by Michael Gordon

Children from toddlers to teens feel emotions such as anger in big scary ways. Here’s a great story to help kids learn to manage their overwhelming feelings and powerful emotions.

11. I Choose to Calm My Anger: A Colorful, Picture Book About Anger Management And Managing Difficult Feelings and Emotions (Teacher and Therapist Toolbox: I Choose)

Does your child get upset easily? This story told from Jackson’s point of view will help open your child’s mind to what it feels like to be angry and how to deal with it. This anger management story for kids is about a boy who doesn’t understand how his emotions control his behavior. But like Jackson, they too can learn to change their mindset as a way to deal with life’s setbacks.

12. I Was So Mad (ages 3 – 7) by Mercer Mayer 

This book shows the Critter family saying no to everything Little Critter wants to do. Finally, mad at the world, Little Critter announces he will run away. When pals come by and ask him to come and play baseball, our young hero’s mood quickly changes.

13. When I Feel Angry (ages 3 – 8) by Albert Whitman

As this little bunny experiences things that make her angry, she also learns ways to deal with her anger. Ways that won’t hurt others. A simple book gives children great options for dealing with and managing their anger.

14. The Very Frustrated Monster (ages 3 +) by Andi Green 

“Why me?” and “It’s not fair!” are favorite phrases used by Twitch, The Monster of Frustration. Though Twitch tries really hard to get everything right, he quickly gets upset when things don’t go his way. This book is a part of The WorryWoo Monsters Series of books about emotions for kids. Click through to find others in the series.

15. I’m Mad (ages 3 – 8) by Elizabeth Crary

This book is a part of the dealing with feelings series that help children accept and acknowledge their emotions. Another book in this series, “I’m Furious,” can be found directly below. I love that the stories give kids several ways to cope with feelings by utilizing the book’s “choose-your-own-ending” format.

16. I’m Furious (ages 3 – 8) by Elizabeth Crary

Another book from the dealing with feelings series like the anger book directly above. In these books, the authors provide guidance and suggestions that help parents and children find solutions that work.

More Anger Management Books for Kids

17. Everyone Feels Angry Sometimes – An Anger Management Book for Kids that Teaches Essential Steps to Manage Anger & Frustration (A Psychologist Recommended Book for Children Ages 3-10)

Here’s one of the best self-help books for children that teaches the 4 levels of anger. Anger can erupt like lava if we let it bubble inside us. Everyone Feels Angry Sometimes teaches mindfulness for kids and how to prevent a little spot of anger or a little spot of frustration from escalating into a full-blown tantrum.

18. Angry Ninja: A Children’s Book About Fighting and Managing Anger (Ninja Life Hacks)

Does your child experience anger and not know how to respond to it? Developing coping mechanisms that help you deal with BIG emotions can lead to a calmer mind and body. In this story, we learn that Angry Ninja gets upset a lot. Like a ticking time bomb, Angry Ninja becomes frustrated when their sister borrows things without asking. But then, one day, a buddy shares a simple strategy to help Angry Ninja control BIG emotions.

Related: Books About Love Between Parent and Child

Books About Anger for Preschoolers and Older Elementary Aged Kids

19. When Mouse Was Mad (ages 4 – 7) by Linda Urban

A wonderful book for toddlers and preschoolers about dealing with angry feelings. A mouse is mad and tries all sorts of ways of dealing with his angry feelings, but nothing works for him. Finally, he figures out his way of dealing with his feelings and realizes he isn’t mad anymore.

20. When Miles Got Mad (ages 4 – 7) by Sam Kurtzman-Counter and Abbie Schiller

Like Miles in this story, expressing emotions in healthy ways is something that all toddlers need to learn. This fun book offers much-needed comfort to young children as they struggle to regulate their emotions.

21. When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry (ages 4 – 8) by Molly Bang

This is a favorite in our house. When I took care of other people’s children in my home, this book was selected to read by the children in my care all the time. One day Sophie gets really really angry! In the story, we see how she deals with her anger in an emotionally healthy way after an incident with her sister. A must-read!

Related: How to Raise a Helper

22. I Hate Everything! A Book About Feeling Angry (ages 4 – 8) by Sue Graves

Sam has a hard time when things don’t go his and cries, “I hate everything!” With the help of his aunt, Sam learns new ways to deal with his anger and feel better.

This book is a part of another series of books about emotions that uses brightly illustrated stories to help kids understand how their emotions and actions are related—and how they can learn to manage both.

At the end of each book, a two-page series of pictures invites kids to tell a story in their own words. Click through to find more books in the series.

23. Mad Isn’t Bad: A Child’s Book about Anger (ages 4 +) by Mundy Michaelene

This book was not my favorite because it addresses what can cause someone to get mad but did not provide a lot of solutions. I liked how this book touched on forgiving, not only yourself but others as well.

There is a chapter that references God and how good Christians should behave that some readers may not want to read to their children, but I think it could be taped together or skipped if desired. 

Anger Books For Kids

24. Angry Octopus: An Anger Management Story introducing active progressive muscular relaxation and deep breathing for Kids (ages 4+) by Lori Lite  

Here’s an anger book that does a wonderful job of guiding children (and adults) through a progressive relaxation exercise that helps convey the idea that angry feelings can be managed.

Children can relate to the angry octopus in this story as the sea child shows him how to take a deep breath, calm down, and manage his anger. It is clear, and the illustrations are inviting and helpful. 

25. Cool Down and Work Through Anger (ages 4 – 8) by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.

This book shows kids that it’s normal to get angry. It begins with a few scenarios that might cause a kid to be angry; being left out of a playgroup and being treated with disrespect. Next, it talks about the physical feeling of being angry; hot face, tense muscles, and fast heartbeat.

Finally, it discusses what you might want to do if you get angry but then explains that these are not always the best choices. Finally, it gives some very helpful advice on what to do if you are feeling angry.

26. I Am so Angry, I Could Scream: Helping Children Deal with Anger (ages 5+) by Laura Fox and Chris Sabatino

A story that introduces children to the idea that they can learn techniques for releasing anger in healthy ways. Young readers are shown how to keep an anger chart to identify the causes of their angry feelings and find positive ways to work through them.

Related: Caring for the Earth: 12 Ways to Help Kids Get It

7 Anger Management Books and Workbooks for Elementary School-Aged Kids and Teens

Take control of anger. Help children learn to manage their anger and emotional outbursts with the fantastic anger management books and workbooks for older kids and teens below. You might also enjoy this list of self-regulation strategies for kids.

1. Anger Management Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Help Children Stay Calm and Make Better Choices When They Feel Mad (Health and Wellness Workbooks for Kids Age 5-10) by Samantha Snowden M.A.

Here’s a workbook about anger management for kids that can help children and teens stay calm and make better choices when they feel angry. Anger is a normal emotion just like joy, sadness, and fear, but it can be difficult to know how to express those feelings in a better way. The Anger Management Workbook for Kids is filled with 50 playful exercises to help you handle powerful emotions.

2. Anger Management Skills Workbook for Kids: 40 Awesome Activities to Help Children Calm Down, Cope, and Regain Control (Ages 5-10) by Amanda Robinson LPC RPT

While some children instinctively know how to regulate their emotions, others lack the skills to express their anger more appropriately. This warm, engaging workbook helps children ages 5-10 develop strong skills for managing their anger through 40 fun activities.

With the activities in this anger management workbook, children can learn to identify their feelings and practice healthy coping skills so that kids can feel calm and in control when angry feelings arise. A bonus section at the end of each chapter encourages kids and their families to practice the skills they’ve learned for even greater emotional mastery and success.

3. I’m Not Bad, I’m Just Mad: A Workbook to Help Kids Control Their Anger (ages 6-12) by Anna Greenwald, Zack Pelta-Heller, and Lawrence Shapiro Ph.D.

Here’s an anger management workbook recommended by therapists that contains forty activities for issues such as recognizing anger triggers, better problem solving, and communication tips for defusing conflict before it gets out of hand.

This anger management book offers clear explanations for the child to help them understand where their anger may be coming from and the helpful exercises that give the child the opportunity to take greater control and ownership over themselves. 

4. Seeing Red: An Anger Management and Anti-Bullying Curriculum Guide for Kids (ages 7+) by Jennifer Simmonds 

Here’s a unique, proven approach to anger management for elementary and middle-school-aged children delivered in an easy-to-use guide for small groups. Anger is a natural human emotion, but its effects can be devastating if it isn’t managed properly. Seeing Red is a self-help guide and curriculum designed to help elementary and middle-school-aged students better understand their anger to make healthy and successful choices and build strong relationships.

5. A Volcano in My Tummy: Helping Children to Handle Anger (ages 7+) by Eliane Whitehouse and Warwick Pudney

Here’s an anger management workbook for teachers, parents, and other caregivers to help control anger in the home or classroom. It presents a clear and effective step-by-step guide to helping children and adults understand and deal constructively with children’s anger.

This practical guide also consists of a series of lesson plans to help kids learn to manage their anger. It may not be the best book for you if you are a parent with no desire to work with these lesson plans. 

6. How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger (ages 8 – 13) by Elizabeth Verdick

This book is written by the same author as the first four books for toddlers listed at the top of this post. It teaches kids how to recognize anger in themselves and others, handle situations and emotions, and deal with the anger they feel.

Read this children’s book about anger to help kids learn that violence is unacceptable and that there are safer, more positive ways to resolve conflicts.

7. What to do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Problems with Anger (Ages 8+) By Dawn Huebner

Here’s a workbook to help parents and children deal with anger management issues, including explosive anger and violent emotional outbursts at a young age. It guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat problems with anger.

The author lets children know she understands what they are thinking but that it is not an excuse for letting anger brew. This interactive self-help book is a complete resource for educating, motivating, and empowering children to work through the cycle of anger toward change.

The Best Children’s Books About Anger Management

Anger management skills are important to a child’s social-emotional health and development. It’s never too early for children to recognize the feeling of anger rising up within, learn to manage big emotions, and express anger in appropriate ways.

Reading anger management books like those on the list above is an excellent therapy technique to help kids adapt to the anxieties and upsets life brings, as they learn to understand their feelings and build skills for coping with emotions such as anger appropriately. It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s not okay to hurt anyone with actions or words.

There are books on this list for kids of all ages; toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, tweens, and teens. Read the simple stories and do the activities to help children manage their anger in healthy ways and learn to self-regulate.

You may also like Social-Emotional Development Games for kids and the book ideas listed below:

• Children’s Books about Feelings and Emotions
• Books That Teach Kids Important Life Lessons
• Books That Help Kids Develop Healthy Personal Boundaries
• 10 Books Every Parent of Young Children Should Read

More Calming Activities for Kids

Our family also likes to use other calming and mindfulness practices to help increase the peace in our home. A few more mindful activities for kids and families are listed below.

• Social-emotional development games
• The calming effects of nature with outdoor activities
• Calm down bottles
• The practice of yoga and meditation for kids

We hope you enjoyed this list of anger management books for kids. You can learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!