ARC Review of Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

Publisher: Picture Window Books
Format Read: egalley
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: February 1, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Little Monkey is having a bad day. After a major melt down, he goes to his room and uses some coping techniques to calm down.

Bea's Thoughts:

I work with and teach young toddlers, 15 months to two years, so this book immediately caught my eye. Little Monkey drops his ice cream and has a meltdown. He screams, he cries, he throws himself on the ground, and then the omniscient narrator (presumably one of his parents who are seen at the end of the book) offers suggestions on how he can regain control. It's actually quite frightening for toddlers when they lose control so help in regaining it is both necessary and appreciated. The suggestions provided to Little Monkey are practical, simple, and easily implemented. I appreciate that the author is respectful of Little Monkey's emotions and doesn't deride them or make them seem unimportant. It's also good that the emotions are plainly labeled, helping toddlers, and young pre-schoolers, identify and control their emotions.

The artwork is bright, cute but not cutesy, and not too detailed. Children will enjoy the illustrations and relate to Little Monkey. I definitely recommend this book for homes and classrooms with young toddlers.