Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts

By Ian De Haes

Published April 26, 2018

Why we chose this book:

We are keeping our eyes open for books with healthy examples of managing anger. When I saw this and contacted the publisher, Flyaway Books, they provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

Simon feels empowered as large animals appear alongside his anger.

Simon is sent to his room as punishment for drawing on the walls. When he bangs on the door repeatedly, he finds that an angry ram has suddenly appeared to mete out his anger to all around. Subsequent anger-inducing scenarios result in larger and larger animals. Simon revels in the feeling of power that these animals provide, until he finds that no one wants to play with him and his dragon that "spit[s] flames and sent everyone running." He finds a quiet place and concentrates until he is calm, at which point his friends return. Back matter for adults provides information on fostering mindfulness as well as other tips for using this book.

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts effectively shows how good it might feel to have rhinos charging and alligators snapping at people who make one angry. Simon's anger is understandable and natural, and children may recognize the different causes of that anger, such as being told "no" or being required to finish a meal. Being told "no" is the big anger-inducer in our house, and we've talked a lot about when Simon is told "no." Oftentimes, I find that we talk about our anger directly after experiencing it, if not while in the throes of it. Reading a book about Simon's anger provides an easy opportunity to reinforce healthy ways of coping with a difficult feeling. An example of meditating is presented, but not fully explained in the story. It is left to the adult to elaborate on Simon's meditation. Once I had explained it, T said he'd like to try meditating next time he feels angry. 

Son's Review

(age 3)

As we read:

Son: He wrote on the wall, the floor, his dresser. 

Mom: That's a big problem. What would his landlords say?

Son: I think he doesn't have landlords.

(Does this means it's okay to draw on the walls if you own your home?)

Mom: Why do you think they don't have landlords?

Son: I don't know.

Mom: Do you sometimes feel mad, T? I sometimes feel mad.

Son: I don't have anything that makes me mad.

Mom: Do you sometimes get mad though? What sometimes makes you mad?

Son: Yeah. When I can't have something that's breakable and looks like a toy.

Mom: Why do you think Simon liked having a dragon when he was angry?

Son: Because it was marvelous.

Mom: I think that when he was angry, he maybe didn't want anyone to talk to him and make him angrier. And the dragon made everyone leave so they wouldn't make him angrier.

After reading:

Mom: What makes you feel better when you feel angry?

Son: I don't have an answer.

Mom: Do we sometimes hug it out? Do you sometimes go in your room for some quiet, alone time? There are different ways to deal with anger.

Son: Yes...I was saying [earlier] that I would like to do what Simon does. He gets calm and the dragon goes away.

Mom: What do you think Simon's family could have done to help him? How could they have better handled the wall-writing situation?

Son: Do something like hug it out. It looked like his daddy was angry because Simon wrote on the wall, and he wasn't supposed to. His daddy should have stopped him.

Mom: Would you have any advice for Simon when he gets angry?

Son: Erase what you drew on the wall.

Mom: Do you think Simon will get angry again? 

Son: I think so. 

The smiling is about to start. He couldn't fake an angry face for long.