Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those picture books that just works. It's been around for 25 years because it does exactly what it needs to do: gives little kids a mirror for their anger and a roadmap for calming down.

The illustrations are the real MVP here—Bang uses color and composition to make Sophie's rage feel visceral (flames! volcanoes! eyes glaring from an exploding red page!) and then guides you into cool, leafy calm. It's visual storytelling that toddlers get, even before they have the words.

What makes this book special is that Sophie solves her own problem. No parent swoops in with a feelings chart or a time-out. She kicks, she cries, she runs outside, climbs a tree, watches the ocean, and comes back ready to rejoin her family. That's real emotional regulation, not a lecture disguised as a story.

Is it a bit dated? Sure. The art style screams late-90s, and the scenario is simple. But honestly, anger hasn't changed much in 25 years, and neither have toddlers. If you need a book to help your 3-year-old understand why they just threw a shoe at their sibling, this one still delivers.

Age Fit

Best for ages 2-7, especially the toddler and preschool crowd who are just learning to name and manage big emotions. By second grade, most kids have moved on to chapter books, but this remains a solid classroom read-aloud.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Models healthy emotional regulation without adult intervention. Sophie experiences anger authentically, then self-soothes by going outside, climbing a tree, and finding calm. The book respects childhood emotions without minimizing them, and shows reconciliation with family at the end. No shame, no punishment—just a realistic portrayal of working through big feelings.

Imaginative

78

Molly Bang's illustration style is distinctive—vibrant, saturated colors that literally explode across pages (flames, volcanoes, red backgrounds) when Sophie is angry, then shift to calming greens and browns as she finds peace. The visual storytelling is bold and expressive, inviting kids to think about how emotions feel in their bodies. Not wildly creative in narrative structure, but the artistic execution is memorable.

Safe

98

Completely safe. A picture book about managing anger with no violence, scary content, or inappropriate material. Sophie kicks, screams, cries—normal kid behavior—but nothing disturbing. The resolution is gentle and nature-based. Caldecott Honor winner with consistent positive reviews from educators and parents for 20+ years.

Enriching

88

This is social-emotional learning gold. Gives young kids concrete language and imagery for anger, validates that everyone gets angry, and models a healthy coping strategy (removing yourself, finding nature, taking time). Opens real conversations about feelings without being preachy. Teachers use this in classrooms constantly. The fact that Sophie solves her own problem without adult rescue is developmentally important.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Validates big feelings without shame—Sophie's anger is treated as normal and manageable, not something to suppress or feel guilty about
Shows self-regulation in action: Sophie removes herself, finds nature, calms down on her own terms without an adult swooping in to fix it
Molly Bang's illustrations are genuinely striking—explosive reds and oranges melt into peaceful greens in a way that helps kids visualize emotional shifts
Used in thousands of classrooms for 20+ years as a go-to social-emotional learning tool, so it's field-tested and teacher-approved
Short, punchy, and gets the job done in 40 pages—perfect for wiggly toddlers and preschoolers with big feelings

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What to Watch For

Sophie does kick and scream and cry—some sensitive kids might find her initial outburst intense, but that's kind of the point
The book doesn't explain why Sophie got angry beyond a sibling taking her toy, so you might need to fill in context about triggers and fairness
Published in 1999 (2004 paperback edition), so the illustrations have a slightly dated feel, but not in a way that bothers most kids

Conversation Starters

"What does your body feel like when you get really, really angry? Does your face get hot like Sophie's?"
"Sophie went outside to calm down. What are some places you like to go when you need a break?"
"Do you think Sophie's sister knew she was making her mad? How could they share better next time?"
"What color would your anger be if you drew it? Would it be red like Sophie's, or something different?"

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When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry