I Want to Be Mad for a While!

June 1, 2022
A little feline must contend with some big feelings. A striking neon backdrop surrounds a striped orange kitten clad in blue pants and a purple shirt. As a parent offers the kitten a lollipop and asks for a smile, the youngster responds, "Why do I have to be happy?" Big text stretches across the next two pages exclaiming, "I want to be MAD for a while!" The parent watches as the kitty begins to identify their emotions ("I feel like a crocodile!") and asks for their parent to not be afraid but instead to be patient as the kitten's feelings naturally subside. The simple narrative guides readers through processing feelings, noting tools to move the emotions along. The kitten acknowledges that occasionally talking with their parent or creating art can alleviate the frustration but really emphasizes how alone time is often the key to let anger dissipate. Instead of focusing on the goal of quickly becoming happy again, Saltzberg provides a straightforward model for readers to embrace the natural flow of emotions through their bodies. The bright cartoon illustrations complement the message while adding a touch of humor. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Bold yet gentle in its message, this book gives permission for readers to sit with their feelings. (Picture book. 3-5)

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June 17, 2022

PreS-Gr 1-In this appealing tale told in first-person rhyming verse, a parent and child (here cast as cats) find themselves at a familiar emotional impasse. The adult, hoping to curtail a bad mood, tries a variety of tactics-reasoning, cajoling, bribery-only to have them all rebuffed. Why? Well, the child simply needs time to feel mad. Finally, the bad mood passes, and the time for laughter and hugs returns. With his clever text and cartoon-style illustrations, Saltzberg hits upon an uncommonly stated but critically important point: sometimes negative emotions cannot be wished away or hastened to completion. Sometimes the only way out is through them, at the child's pace. An easy-to-grasp lesson, this is a book for educators to hand parents, while children will delight over being understood. VERDICT This enjoyable title provides crucial opportunities for discussion and deep insight into children's emotional truths.-Jonah Dragan

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