When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry... (Scholastic Bookshelf Feelings) by Molly Bang

This gentle picture book offers young children a compassionate look at managing big feelings through the story of Sophie, who experiences overwhelming anger and finds her own way to calm down. When Sophie's emotions erupt, she instinctively goes outside to run, cry, and climb her favorite tree, showing preschoolers that strong emotions are natural and temporary. The vivid illustrations capture Sophie's emotional journey from red-hot anger to peaceful calm as nature helps her regain equilibrium. This emotional regulation story provides a valuable framework for discussing feelings with young children.

What makes this book particularly effective is how it normalizes the anger experience while offering concrete coping strategies that children can understand and emulate. The narrative doesn't judge Sophie's feelings but shows her working through them independently, building emotional resilience. Parents will appreciate how this story opens conversations about anger management and self-soothing techniques without being didactic. The simple, powerful message that storms of emotion pass and comfort awaits at home makes this an essential addition to any preschooler's emotional development library.