Member Reviews
This book is a great tool for teaching children about anger management. The more tantrums Simon throws, the bigger, meaner beast is manifested. At first, Simon finds this great, marvelous and magical, but eventually, he realizes that no one wants to be around him. Then he learns a way to control his anger and make it disappear. At the back of the book is a guide for parents and teachers with suggestions on using the book with an individual child or a group of children, as well as some follow-up activities, and ways to teach mindfulness. |
Sometimes you find a book that masters the goals of entertaining AND educating, and this book does not disappoint. The illustrations are captivating and colorful and perfect for keeping kids attention. The subtle growth of each "beast" to match the intensity of anger is masterful! The message is a fantastic learning tool. I work with inner city students who struggle with many anger issues, and this book would be a great teaching tool for us! I'll definitely be adding this to my regular classroom reading! The book ends with some suggestions and tools for parents and teachers to implement new learning with their own children. |
Lisa C, Educator
This is such a great tool to use with children to teach them the effects of anger and how they might can learn to handle it. There are lot of children today who have so many hurts and their only reaction has become anger. There are great tips in the back to help parent, teachers, and others teach children how to better handle their emotions. Anger is such a huge emotion and even most adults don’t know what to do with their feelings. I would recommend this to anyone who deals with children in any way to help them learn at a young age how to deal with the beast that can be created inside us when pain happens. |
Natalie C, Reviewer
Not only do we love the big ferocious animals, my son and I use this book as a tool to talk about our emotions. When I tell him he's acting like a "dragon" and making people not want to be around him, it is way more constructive than anything else I've tried! Love this tool! |
This book is quite imaginative and showcases behavioral problems (specifically anger) in children in a captivating and educational manor. Along with its beautiful and colorful illustrations, this book carries a message that teaches children the consequences of anger outbursts, as well as how best to handle strong feelings and emotions. There is also a section in the back of the book for parents and teachers with wonderful and compelling advice in regards to negative behaviors in children. I highly recommend this book to any parent or teacher of young children! |
Alyssa S, Educator
Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts was a wonderful picture book that offered an excellent opportunity to talk about how a child exhibits anger and how it affects the relationships in his or her life. This book is a good teaching tool which that displays the many ways that children express anger and what happens as result of that anger. |
A good lesson on how anger can manifest itself and cause damage. Simone learns that he needs to control those monsters (angry thoughts/actions). Great illustration for kids to get a perfect imagery of how big anger can become. |
This book illustrates emotions in a way that children will be able to understand. This may not be a book for every child, but it will certainly be helpful to those children who have issues with temper. I did not like that the boys parents did not want to be around him. It might have been better to show the parents shying away from his temper instead of not hugging/kissing/avoiding him all together. Other than that I feel that for those in need of strong emotion books this would do just fine. |
Joanna P, Educator
Fantastic story! My students loved it! I believe it would be a great currriculm story. I cant wait tomget inactially book formm. |
Simon learns to express himself in several different ways, not all of them good. This book shows how he works through his emotions and finds out how to help himself. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. |
Magy V, Librarian
The first time Simon gets mad, he pounds and pounds on his door until a ram appears and helps him pound on his door. Simon thinks this ram is great. It can knock anyone over who makes him angry. The next time Simon gets mad, the ram turns into an alligator who snaps at people when Simon ins't happy. As Simon keeps getting mad, his imaginary animal changes and grows with his anger until it becomes a terrible dragon that is out of control. Simon would rather play with friends but his anger and the dragon have driven them away. What can he do? Simon decides to find a quiet spot, lay down, and concentrate until his anger and the dragon leave him. Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts is a great tool for teaching children the danger of letting anger out in nonconstructive ways and for modeling a better approach to anger. After the story, information for parents and teachers is included along with follow up activities and ways to teach children mindfulness. Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts is a great addition to every home and classroom library! |
Barb P, Bookseller
With great illustrations and a good story, kids will enjoy this book and have an understanding of how anger is part of our lives but the need to control it. There is only one problem that I personally have with the story. It seems that his parents are withholding their love when it is mentioned that he would like their hugs and kisses. While it gets the message across that people don’t want to be around you when you are angry all the time, it also was saying to me that mom and dad won’t love you either. I might be the only one to think that. It is not enough for me to not recommend this book for a child that is having anger management problems but I did find it a little bit worrisome. |
Denise O, Educator
This book is written in student friendly language that encourages them to use their imagination. I can honestly say that this is one of the few books I’ve seen that breaks down the concept of mindfulness in such a way that parents and teachers, whether experienced or not, can lead a child into a meditative and calming exercise of mindful reflection. |
I really liked this book about anger management for children. I liked how they used different situations where a child would get angry and that angry became a beast. I wish they would have been a little more direct and clear about how Simon dealt with his anger and that it takes work and is not always easy, especially for children that get really angry. I do like that resources for parents and teachers to use this book with children was included at the end of the story. |
This is a super cute book to help children understand the repercussions of their actions and their anger. Simon's growing beasts add a playful face to the problem but illustrate the point very well. I love that it concludes with him finding a way to tame the anger beast with mindfulness and quiet. |
A wonderful picture book to help young children learn to cope with anger and frustrations. As with many children, Simon is being led by his many emotions (here shown as a variety of animals), each one more severe than the last. When he realizes that he's become Simon the Terrible, he wonders if it is time to change his ways. A useful books for classrooms that have their own Simon the Terrible. |
Amanda P, Librarian
I really like the concept behind this book about a child beginning to understand that his actions when he is angry having consequences. I don't like the way the other characters are portrayed in their reactions. The artwork is beautiful and again the story line is nice. I think it falls a little flat in how it is delivered. It does a great job of comparing his anger to different creatures and the ending about how he solves his issue is nice and a great lesson starter. I do recommend this book and think it can be used well in thinking of mindfulness and working on our reactions to situations. It also has a great section of how you can use the book |
This is a really cute book that helps children deal with anger and how it can affect their relationships and their daily life. It also teaches children about mindfulness and how to treat others respectfully, or they may end up not having too many friends. It is probably better to read this book one on one, instead of to a group. The art is very colourful and beautiful, and will definitely draw kids into this book, |
Anne H, Librarian
"Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts" is a wonderful book to share with young children about managing anger. Each time Simon gets angry a new, bigger beast appears. Simon is thrilled with each new beast until he realizes the beasts are affecting his relationships with his family and friends. Simon has to find a way to control the anger, and the beasts, before he is left all alone. Good for small group discussions on how to handle anger and very useful for guidance counselors for use 1 - 1 with children in crisis. |
A simple story about controlling anger for kids. When Simon becomes angry the beasts surround him. He loves having them around because they make him feel powerful and he only has to do what he wants. Then he begins to realize that no one wants to be around him except the big bad beasts. Simon learns how to control the beasts and discovers that the people he loves love him back. I work with children who have trouble controlling their own angry beasts. This is a book to sit and read one on one with a child. They are sure to get the message, but also to connect with the illustrations. This was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for a review. It is a title I will order and carry in my own library. |




