The Yellow Book

This series is like a comforting hug. For young children who might have trouble verbally expressing their feelings or controlling their emotions, this series provides interactive activities to help them understand what they are feeling and how to cope. Each emotion is associated with a color: blue is sad, purple is nervous, etc. In The Red Book, the author supplies a target page to throw paper at and a shout hole as alternative ways to release anger. Breathing and exercise are recommended in a number of the titles, and children are guided through their breathing sessions with tasks such as tracing shapes and blowing away clouds. Parents will appreciate The Yellow Book, which helps kids manage their excitement by doing a scavenger hunt or creating a calming zone. VERDICT: Highly recommended. This series finds so many ways for kids to express themselves in comforting and accepting language.

Upbeat and constructive, the Colorful Minds: Tips for Managing Your Emotions series (4 titles) helps children stay in control of their feelings. In this volume, yellow (excitement) shines brightest in the literal rainbow of emotions readers are asked to envision at the book’s outset. Seven exercises and activities follow–demonstrated by a yellow cartoon brain–to help readers identify this “bouncing off the walls” feeling, positively channel it, or try calming or focusing techniques. Some of the activities include doing a scavenger hunt, going outside and observing nature, and making a “calm zone.” The text also recognizes that excitement can sometimes bother others, which, in turn can feel hurtful to the excited individual; a self-esteem-boosting activity is provided for these times. A useful addition to any SEL shelf.