Don't Pop Your Cork on Mondays!: The Children's Anti-Stress Book

by Adolph Moser

Explores the causes and effects of stress and offers practical approaches and techniques for dealing with stress in daily life.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Parenting, Health

48 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Allison Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt so angry, that you might just blow? Of course you have, everyone has, and children seem unable to cope with this problem most of all. In this terrific children's picture book, author Adolph Moser teaches many serious and important life skills (what is stress?, what causes stress?, what should I do when I'm feeling stressed?) in a way that easily appeals to children. Through simple and relatable statements, as well as questions, Moser reaches out to children, asking them, "how do you control your anger?"The bright, comic-book-like illustrations provide a very familiar atmosphere for young readers, which the author uses to draw them in. The vivid comparisons of humans to animals is also very effective in conveying the author's message, while also playing to the children's interest.The literal "popping of the cork" portrayal in the images gives the children a good laugh, while also demonstrating what it truly feels like to be mad. This book reads much like a motivational speech, more and more words being in all caps appearing as it progresses, telling children YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR STRESS! This book is perfect for a person of any age who feels like they need a little bit of motivation to start controlling their anger.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great one to have on the shelf! It gives some explanation for things kids observe that they probably can’t always understand (and could be a conversation starter for the whole family). While it does simply explain how stress affects our bodies and also simply suggests physical ways to manage the adrenaline, it is still quite helpful for adults and children alike.

[Chelsea Merkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My child's school Psychologist read this to him the other day. He found it at the library and read it to me. It is a very cutely illustrated book with information on what stresses adults and children out. A very well done, and laughable book for young children.

[Shane Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Largely understandable even for a pre-school aged kid, but focuses too much on the causes and appearance of stress and not quite enough on the de-stressing techniques and coping mechanisms.

[Keani Meier]

In a cartoon way, with silly words they teach kids what it stress and how adults handle them and how they can help their parents, teachers and friends. Letting kids know that some stress is not bad and show them how the best to manage their frustration. This book helps by showing through pictures how to recognize the mental and physical warnings signs of stress.
Within the classroom would have a discussion by asking my ask students
See how they would define stress.
What are the common source of stress?
Figure out what is good stress verses bad stress, when it is harmful and when is it helpful.
Define the flight or fight response and what does stress do to the body.
At the end I would like my students to write about a time when they had a stressful day and what made it stressful, how did they react to the events and how did they managed it in the long run.

i really did not like this book, it was too long and the pictures made the story confusing the youngsters.

Moser, A., & Pilkey, D. (1988). Don't pop your cork on Mondays!: The children's anti-stress book. Kansas City, Mo.: Landmark Editions.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't help but laugh my way through this book. It's really cute and a good idea. The writers discuss what stress is, why people become stressed, who becomes stressed and then ways to deal with said stress. The ways to deal with stress are great - it's like yoga but discussed in a way that kids can understand and actually execute.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great to share with my 8-year-old son, who lets things get to him oftentimes, more than they should. He especially liked it because the illustrator is Dav Pilkey, someone he knows from Captain Underpants fame!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too advanced for my child's age group and I felt focuses more on what stress was and how we get stressed than on solutions to destress. even if Kaden had been older I don't think it would have helped us that much

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for helping kids understand stress and anger management, including the fact adults get stressed, too. It gives suggestions for relieving stress, such as exercise, shaking it away, out-tension the tension, and breathe the tension away (a yoga breathing exercise, actually).

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that teaches kids how to deal with stress. I like that it is fun but gives specific instructions on what the kids need to do.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this very informative and highly entertaining handbook for children, Dr. Adolph Moser offers practical approaches and effective techniques to help young people deal with stress.