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A Little SPOT
A Little Spot of Anger: A Story About Managing Big Emotions
It can be really hard to handle BIG Emotions, especially ANGER! Kids experience frustrating situations everyday, whether it's someone taking their toy or they feel like they can't do something. This story shows them that instead of yelling or stomping their feet, they can practice some fun ways to help them stay CALM.
Count your spots from one to four,
Tap, tap, tap and tap once more.
Now fill your lungs with peaceful air,
and coat your SPOTS with love and care.
By associating emotions with something a child can visual (bright red spot), they are able to see when a small feeling of frustration can easily turn into into a big ANGRY emotion. They will realize they can manage their spots of emotions with fun counting and breathing techniques by watching an ANGRY SPOT start to shrink down.
Count your spots from one to four,
Tap, tap, tap and tap once more.
Now fill your lungs with peaceful air,
and coat your SPOTS with love and care.
By associating emotions with something a child can visual (bright red spot), they are able to see when a small feeling of frustration can easily turn into into a big ANGRY emotion. They will realize they can manage their spots of emotions with fun counting and breathing techniques by watching an ANGRY SPOT start to shrink down.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 29, 2019
Controlling anger book!
A little Spot of Anger by Diane Albee is a terrific book showing the child ways to control anger. Also times when they might get angry. Easy and helpful method!
A little Spot of Anger by Diane Albee is a terrific book showing the child ways to control anger. Also times when they might get angry. Easy and helpful method!
August 28, 2020
Great book on learning to calm down when we get angry. Better for younger ages.
August 1, 2021
Great book to teach self-regulation.
June 11, 2020
Love this for my son. It meshed well with the Zones of regulation that are emphasized at school. These books are getting us through Covid-19, which has been nothing short of challenging for all of us.
September 8, 2019
Great way to explain anger management to kids
Know a little one with a short fuse?
This book may be just the ticket in helping them to understand big, angry feelings and how to defuse the situation. In learning to calm themselves and deal more positively to adversity, they learn a valuable lifelong lesson.
Come to think of it, there are many adults that need to learn this as well!
Well done, Diane!
Know a little one with a short fuse?
This book may be just the ticket in helping them to understand big, angry feelings and how to defuse the situation. In learning to calm themselves and deal more positively to adversity, they learn a valuable lifelong lesson.
Come to think of it, there are many adults that need to learn this as well!
Well done, Diane!
September 8, 2019
Great read aloud for children
This book provides the perfect explanation and calming ideas for children. The calm finger spot visuals are helpful and easy for children reading this book to try this strategy. I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers. As always, another amazing book by this author! Diane truly understands what children need in her stories!
This book provides the perfect explanation and calming ideas for children. The calm finger spot visuals are helpful and easy for children reading this book to try this strategy. I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers. As always, another amazing book by this author! Diane truly understands what children need in her stories!
November 19, 2019
Brilliant
Love this picture book, simply written and illustrated story of how to calm yourself down when angry. This is perfect for school age children to learn to manage their emotions well done Diane
Love this picture book, simply written and illustrated story of how to calm yourself down when angry. This is perfect for school age children to learn to manage their emotions well done Diane
January 11, 2025
I get the sentiment behind this, but I'm not sure how well it works in practice for the target audience (elementary to middle school, I assume—I can guarantee high-school-and-older readers might feel like this is talking down to them more often than finding it helpful). Certainly, cute rhymes make it easier to remember certain tips, but I certainly have already forgotten the little rhyme more than the sentiment behind it ("stop and count to ten or however long it takes you to calm down and rationalise what's causing your anger").
It also doesn't feel like it'll help with the incoming badness that's bound to be an unending source of BIG spots of anger. But I'm probably putting too much weight onto what's supposed to slow tantrums.
On the whole, a good idea, but I'm docking two stars 1. for light skepticism and 2. for the MSRP—$11.99! I can get LOADS of graphic novels at a cheaper price point! (Lucky for someone else, it will be FREE in a little library like the one I found it in in the first place)
It also doesn't feel like it'll help with the incoming badness that's bound to be an unending source of BIG spots of anger. But I'm probably putting too much weight onto what's supposed to slow tantrums.
On the whole, a good idea, but I'm docking two stars 1. for light skepticism and 2. for the MSRP—$11.99! I can get LOADS of graphic novels at a cheaper price point! (Lucky for someone else, it will be FREE in a little library like the one I found it in in the first place)
December 5, 2020
These books do not tell a story, rather they offer children-friendly therapy guidelines. There is a discrepancy between the age group that the series seems to address (3-4 to 6-7?) and the language used--sentences too long, almost sounding like addressing the parent rather than the child. Illustrations are cute and expressive, but the dialogs in the bubbles are somewhat naive. For instance, the girl who is afraid of joining the party manages to shrink her anxiety spot with the finger trick and then all of a sudden says, "This party is fun." Looking at the picture of the girl still standing away from the crowd, my 8 year-old wondered, "She hasn't even joined them, how come she knows it is fun." So, the narrative (again, not a story) felt somewhat rushed. Previous books delivered really strong messages in a simple language through simple but powerful illustrations. The two books that we read from these series lacked the kind of thoughtful attention that characterizes the author's previous work.
November 10, 2021
The book “ A little spot of anger” teaches children about how they can better handle their emotions. In this book the emotion that is specifically discussed is how to deal with anger. At times it can be hard to know what to do when we are angry. With the help of this book it will teach children what they can do when they are dealing with their own spot of anger. I would recommend this book because it is a great introduction into how to manage our emotions. It can be hard for young children to know what to do when they have strong emotions towards something. However, in reading this book children can find their best fit of how to deal with their anger. I would highly recommend this book to teachers because it is important for children to have a good technique to calm themselves when they are angry.
February 28, 2024
Alber Assignment #9
There are some definite good moments in this book but it leaves me with questions
Is it ever right to be angry?
Is there such a thing as righteous angry?
This book doesn't refer to that.
What or who set the standards by how we define and judge anger and why we should not live in anger?
This is seeking to live a way which is noble, but without someone guiding us and giving us a way of forgiveness and grace it is totally impossible to live by.
We fail our own rules when we set them and this won't ultimately help us.
]It has some valuable insights but is not going to lead us to being better people for we will try and we will fail.
There are some definite good moments in this book but it leaves me with questions
Is it ever right to be angry?
Is there such a thing as righteous angry?
This book doesn't refer to that.
What or who set the standards by how we define and judge anger and why we should not live in anger?
This is seeking to live a way which is noble, but without someone guiding us and giving us a way of forgiveness and grace it is totally impossible to live by.
We fail our own rules when we set them and this won't ultimately help us.
]It has some valuable insights but is not going to lead us to being better people for we will try and we will fail.
March 29, 2021
Better to purchase the actual book, not the ebook
I enjoyed the messaging and how this book deals with anger. Since I got the kids for version though I found it rather hard to read, even more so to try and get my child to participate. I'm going to assume it's a formatting issue but the text was so tiny. When I resized I was either unable to fit it all on the screen, I think they used two pages per screen. Maybe on a larger screen I could have displayed it better horizontally in landscape view. I think it's a wonderful book, but worth getting a "real" copy.
I enjoyed the messaging and how this book deals with anger. Since I got the kids for version though I found it rather hard to read, even more so to try and get my child to participate. I'm going to assume it's a formatting issue but the text was so tiny. When I resized I was either unable to fit it all on the screen, I think they used two pages per screen. Maybe on a larger screen I could have displayed it better horizontally in landscape view. I think it's a wonderful book, but worth getting a "real" copy.
November 5, 2021
Great way to think before neg actions happen
I think this book has a great way of trying to explain where and why anger appears. It allows the child to understand what could make them upset and most of all, how to calm down with counting their fingers from 1 to 4. This book shows a few examples of a little one getting upset. Then as you read on you practice the counting and breathing skills that you were taught. I feel this book has a positive approach on dealing with feelings. I only wish the print was a bit larger.
I think this book has a great way of trying to explain where and why anger appears. It allows the child to understand what could make them upset and most of all, how to calm down with counting their fingers from 1 to 4. This book shows a few examples of a little one getting upset. Then as you read on you practice the counting and breathing skills that you were taught. I feel this book has a positive approach on dealing with feelings. I only wish the print was a bit larger.
January 5, 2022
What I really like about Alder's simple but calming method is that it doesn't demonize anger as "bad", but focuses on making explosive emotions "smaller".
Is your child going to magically not have tantrums after you introduce this concept to them? No, but this does offer a solid way for your child (and let's be honest: us, during those moments when we ourselves lose our cool at times) to TRY something to calm themselves with. It's a tool that requires patience to nurture, and I think it's worth a shot when you're sick of using timeouts for everything.
Is your child going to magically not have tantrums after you introduce this concept to them? No, but this does offer a solid way for your child (and let's be honest: us, during those moments when we ourselves lose our cool at times) to TRY something to calm themselves with. It's a tool that requires patience to nurture, and I think it's worth a shot when you're sick of using timeouts for everything.
Read
September 8, 2022I read this book to my students today. I appreciate this book because it not only tells students how to manage their anger it labels it as not always being anger but could also be frustration, fear or anxiety but is coming off as anger. I also like that it has a cute little song that helps to "calm" your spot but also gives examples of situations where your angry spot might get to be too big. It is nice that this book does not vilify anger but more talks about how when your angry spot is too big it makes it harder to deal with situations.
May 28, 2020
Useful Tips Help Children Manage Anger
I wish this book existed when I was a kid! Rather than condescending like some materials I've seen, this book helps to explain to children how anger changes their perception and teaches a simple counting and breathing exercise to help regain a calm state of mind. Even as an adult, I think the technique taught here could be useful; it's basically the child version of the breathing exercises I've learned.
I wish this book existed when I was a kid! Rather than condescending like some materials I've seen, this book helps to explain to children how anger changes their perception and teaches a simple counting and breathing exercise to help regain a calm state of mind. Even as an adult, I think the technique taught here could be useful; it's basically the child version of the breathing exercises I've learned.
February 7, 2023
One of the primary reasons my students feel frustrated or angry is in situations where they feel they do not have any control. I would have liked to see more situations about feeling out of control in the book such as when someone asks them to do something they do not want to do or someone does not allow them to do something they would like to do.
They do love the art example because they often feel frustrated when they want to do something but their skills aren't quite there yet.
They do love the art example because they often feel frustrated when they want to do something but their skills aren't quite there yet.
April 26, 2023
great way to handle anger
Great visual aid to use with kids and the beauty of the little poem, hand movement and big breath- it is always with them. Cute story, good examples- and leads the way to conversation about, when was a time you were angry, what happened? What if you had done this, how might it have gone differently? Practice, create- talk about it. Good conversation starter about a very real feeling.
Great visual aid to use with kids and the beauty of the little poem, hand movement and big breath- it is always with them. Cute story, good examples- and leads the way to conversation about, when was a time you were angry, what happened? What if you had done this, how might it have gone differently? Practice, create- talk about it. Good conversation starter about a very real feeling.
July 15, 2020
I sing to the book and I love to book
So like I sing to you please books I mean I read anything so when I’m reading I think like instead of talking I sing while I’m reading like I read the book I say like I sing the other words in the book well even get it well I love the book a lot Anya byeeeee
So like I sing to you please books I mean I read anything so when I’m reading I think like instead of talking I sing while I’m reading like I read the book I say like I sing the other words in the book well even get it well I love the book a lot Anya byeeeee
July 23, 2020
Validates Emotions and Teaches Coping Skills
I love that this book both sends the message that it’s okay to feel what you feel, while teaching an easy-to-remember, engaging method to cope with those emotions when they get overwhelming. I’ve read this one several times with my students, and I’ve seen a few of them using the ‘tapping’ technique in the classroom.
I love that this book both sends the message that it’s okay to feel what you feel, while teaching an easy-to-remember, engaging method to cope with those emotions when they get overwhelming. I’ve read this one several times with my students, and I’ve seen a few of them using the ‘tapping’ technique in the classroom.
December 3, 2020
Useful tool
I read this a few times before sharing with our children just to make sure I had a complete understanding. We also practiced it many times a day until I recognized their angry spots and my own angry spots. We have had a lot of fun using this tool. I hope they can use this in many ways in their life.
I read this a few times before sharing with our children just to make sure I had a complete understanding. We also practiced it many times a day until I recognized their angry spots and my own angry spots. We have had a lot of fun using this tool. I hope they can use this in many ways in their life.
January 24, 2021
This book is a challenge to rate. It is a great book and excellent for teaching. However, I doubt any student will borrow it independently. I can see counselors using this an the others in the series for read a louds or discussion launch points, yet there is not much of a story. It is more teaching techniques.
February 11, 2020
A great and insightful book to read for kids.
This book is so well laid out and is so adorable for kids to read. It is very easy to understand and I feel that kids might be able to practice calming down after reading this book.
This book is so well laid out and is so adorable for kids to read. It is very easy to understand and I feel that kids might be able to practice calming down after reading this book.
February 29, 2020
Perfect for young kids
My youngest is still learning about his emotions and how to handle them. He actually paid attention to this book and enjoyed it. It will definitely be one we read again and again.
My youngest is still learning about his emotions and how to handle them. He actually paid attention to this book and enjoyed it. It will definitely be one we read again and again.
July 1, 2020
Nice book, but...
The message that we can control and even use our frightening anger is empowering. But what about when someone who isn't as enlightened really is "being mean"? How do we "coat our fingers with love and care"? A little fantastic.
The message that we can control and even use our frightening anger is empowering. But what about when someone who isn't as enlightened really is "being mean"? How do we "coat our fingers with love and care"? A little fantastic.
July 25, 2020
Loved it!
I really like the way this teaches kids about their emotions. I feel it’s hard for kids to understand and this book does a perfect job helping them learn! Wonderful illustrations!
I really like the way this teaches kids about their emotions. I feel it’s hard for kids to understand and this book does a perfect job helping them learn! Wonderful illustrations!
February 6, 2023
Wow! This is PERFECT for explaining how specific emotions can lead to negative actions as well as providing a practical strategy you can implement immediately. It relates to Zones of Regulation. I’m not only using this with my son but with my class as well. And, myself.
November 25, 2025
This is a great series for helping kids learn about handling their emotions. This one focuses on managing anger and learning how to calm oneself back to your peaceful spot. It gives several different scenarios and a mantra for students to practice.
I recommend this entire series.
I recommend this entire series.
March 16, 2020
Loved it…
Very good explained and fun interactive way to teach your child.
Would be awesome if they would use those books in classrooms.
Very good explained and fun interactive way to teach your child.
Would be awesome if they would use those books in classrooms.
April 7, 2020
Angry angry boy needs to find peace in him
It was fun. Hoping helps with my kids anger issues. I loved the rhyming and sing songy to it. Thank you!
It was fun. Hoping helps with my kids anger issues. I loved the rhyming and sing songy to it. Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews