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by Debi Kennedy
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Reviews
Writer's Digest
14th Annual Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards -- Judge's comments to participant
- What did you like best about this book?
- How can the author improve this book?
This author has created a book with a very timely concept (dealing with fear) in a uniquely fun and friendly way for kids. The main character's angry monster, cutely named "Aagh!", is a wonderful way of introducing the concept of anger to children, and then showing them how to deal with the emotion. The conversation starters on the pages are a nice touch, and the resources used in creating this book prove that the author knows what she's writing about. The illustrations support the story will. The author should be very proud for having created such a timely, well-constructed book.
This book has so many good things to say - and the main focus for the author at this point should be the vocabulary she uses. The book's size and illustrations suggest that it is written for younger children, so the vocabulary should reflect that. For instance, saying Emma feels like "a firecracker ready to explode" is perfect. Yet, on another page, Emma is "teaching AAGH! suitable ways to express herself…she practices these techniques repeatedly." Many of those words are very-high concept words and would reach kids better by being replaced with words or concepts more on their level. Regardless, the author should be very proud of this book as-is, as it gives parents a wonderful tool to use when talking to their children about anger.
Midwest Book Review
Small Press Bookwatch > The Children's Shelf
April 2006 -- “Written and colorfully illustrated by Debi Kennedy, The Angry Monster Book is a fun and active book for children to discover a greater perspective and understanding of anger. With an interesting approach to the concept, The Angry Monster Book takes its young readers to introspective questioning and analysis for various aspects of emotional projection and control. Small but sturdy, The Angry Monster Book is very highly recommended reading for young children -- indeed, this is a book that should be given to them the moment they learn to read.”
Lost Candy Bar Press
“The Angry Monster Book teaches young readers about the complex emotion of anger-what it is and, most importantly, how to deal with it. Imagine a world in which all children received emotionally healthy advice about anger. I think we would all benefit from that. I am always looking for ways to promote peace in our communities. This book seems like it could play an important role in that regard, by starting with peace from within.”
Steve Kihm, award-winning author of The Lost Candy Bar
Happy Bambino
Owners, Lea Wolf and Alison Dodge
August 2005 -- “New Local Book "The Angry Monster Book" Lea and Alison are already quite fond of this book, as mothers of toddlers. The Angry Monster Book is a book all about dealing with anger, written from the point of view of a young child who sees her anger as a monster named "Aagh". For those of you who have thought hard about communicating that anger is a normal and healthy emotion, but all the while struggling with how to teach your child to express it in useful and healthy ways, this book is an excellent tool. It is a great book for mamas too! Lea remarked that she used the strategies herself within hours of reading the book. Simple, very much to the point, and helpful.”
