Angry Dragon by Thierry Robberecht

Illustrated by Philippe Goossens. 26 p., Clarion, 2004. Anger can sometimes be overwhelming. When the little boy in this story becomes angry at his Mom, who has said No, he feels as if he's turned into a destructive dragon. Unlike the boy, the dragon doesn't like anything, and just says angry things. Being a dragon feels powerful and dangerous. Eventually, alone in his ruined room, the dragon/boy feels ashamed and sad, and his tears put out the fires of his anger. A boy again, he can connect with his parents, and is relieved that he can feel their love again. Illustrated with fiery oil paintings, this story offers empathy to children who have intense tantrums, and suggests the benefits of letting go of anger. Ages 3-6