Cuando Me Enojo (I Was So Mad)

by Norma Simon

Text and pictures relate situations which sometimes result in such reactions as frustration, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of control.

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Norma Simon has published more than fifty books for children. Her books
have the special quality of engaging children because they deal with experiences which have rich emotional meaning for them. Her books explore a
wide spectrum of topics ranging from playful accounts of children and pets,
from the pleasures of a rainy day (WET WORLD is her most recent book for
Candlewick) to books which help children deal with death and separation.

Ms. Simon has had a lifetime of experience working with children as a
teacher, parent, and, for more than twenty-eight years, working as a
volunteer with the children in her local elementary school.

Her formal education includes a B.A. from Brooklyn College and,
significantly for her career, an M.S. from Bank Street College of Education.
As a pioneer in "progressive" education for children, the Bank Street
College philosophy of early childhood education continues to influence her
work.


On a personal note, Norma Simon grew up in New York City. Her parents came
from Europe as adults. Her extended family all shared a big brownstone
house in Brooklyn, New York, where she lived until she was six with her
parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.


For the past thirty years, Norma and her husband have lived on Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. She enjoys fishing on Cape Cod Bay, clam digging, hunting
for wild mushrooms, gardening, cooking and--when she has time--reading.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure this completely ages well, but I think it was useful in our two's classroom to show about being upset for crashing another's tower.

[Hoang Shin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows examples of the things/situations that can cause us to get mad. All the different scenarios are told through the perspective of a child. There isn't really any closure or resolution to any of the stories, but I think the author is just trying to describe honest expressions of anger in situations that many children can relate to. As a teacher, I would use it to talk about what makes us angry, and how being angry is okay because it's a natural emotion that everyone experiences. The lesson that I would want to incorporate is one on how to deal with our emotions in a healthy way. This is a great book for young children to make text to self connections with. You can even use it to introduce reflective writing in class journals.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I understand the need for children's books about emotions, but this book is over-the-top. Not only is it dated, but the emotions are described without any resolution. Each page shows a mad child who is mad for a different reason, but nowhere does it show the child doing something about his/her anger, nor do the children talk to adults about what to do when you're mad.

Add that to the page where the child spanks the cat and says, "You could be dead!" This one needs to be weeded. ASAP.

[Shakita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book told us all about the emotion angry. It showed examples of when people get and about how it's okay to get mad. This book can be read at any time. Teachers can ask student's about times they were angry and what they did to calm down. We should let students know that although it's okay to get angry, we should never harm anyone in the process even if we want to because of our emotions.

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's really just about being so mad. About everything. And that's it.

[Gracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character in this book is just plain old mad! It's okay to be mad, but we have to handle it properly. I like that the only colors in this book are orange, black and white.

[Deb Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A empathetic book about being mad. The pictures and look in general look quite old. The child spanks a cat.