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Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Not Hitting include Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi, No Hitting! by Karen Katz, Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Hitting is common in young children who are still learning to handle anger and frustration. These picture books teach gentle hands, kind words and calm-down tools, and they help parents and teachers talk about better choices without shame.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands Are Not for Hitting | Martine Agassi | 3-7 | kids who hit when upset |
| No Hitting! | Karen Katz | 1-4 | toddlers |
| Words Are Not for Hurting | Elizabeth Verdick | 2-5 | kids who use unkind words |
| Teeth Are Not for Biting | Elizabeth Verdick | 1-4 | toddlers who bite |
| Llama Llama Mad at Mama | Anna Dewdney | 2-5 | toddlers who melt down |
| When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry | Molly Bang | 3-7 | kids with big feelings |
| Mouse Was Mad | Linda Urban | 3-7 | kids who stomp and shout |
| Sometimes I'm Bombaloo | Rachel Vail | 3-7 | kids with tempers |
| Calm-Down Time | Elizabeth Verdick | 1-4 | toddlers |
| Little Monkey Calms Down | Michael Dahl | 1-4 | young children |
| The Grouchy Ladybug | Eric Carle | 3-6 | kids who pick fights |
| Bully | Laura Vaccaro Seeger | 3-6 | kids who are unkind |
| Even Superheroes Have Bad Days | Shelly Becker | 4-8 | superhero fans |
| How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger | Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis | 8-12 | older kids |
| Cool Down and Work Through Anger | Cheri J. Meiners | 4-8 | kids learning calm-down steps |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
Shows all the helpful things hands can do. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who hit when upset.
2. No Hitting! by Karen Katz
A lift-the-flap book about gentle choices. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers.
3. Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick
Teaches kind ways to use words. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: kids who use unkind words.
4. Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick
Gives alternatives to biting. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers who bite.
5. Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama has a tantrum at the store. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: toddlers who melt down.
6. When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
Sophie calms herself by running outside. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids with big feelings.
7. Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban
Mouse finds a calm way to handle anger. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who stomp and shout.
8. Sometimes I'm Bombaloo by Rachel Vail
Katie becomes someone else when she is angry. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids with tempers.
9. Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Simple calm-down steps. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers.
10. Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl
Little Monkey learns to calm down after a tantrum. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: young children.
11. The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
A ladybug learns manners after challenging everyone. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: kids who pick fights.
12. Bully by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
A young bull realises he has become a bully. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: kids who are unkind.
13. Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker
Superheroes show how to handle bad feelings. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: superhero fans.
14. How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis
Practical tools for handling anger. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: older kids.
15. Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners
Simple steps to calm down. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids learning calm-down steps.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers, start with No Hitting!, Teeth Are Not for Biting and Calm-Down Time. Preschoolers will benefit from Hands Are Not for Hitting and Llama Llama Mad at Mama. For school-age kids, When Sophie Gets Angry, Even Superheroes Have Bad Days and How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger offer practical tools.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 1 to 12, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Why does my child hit?
Young children often hit because they feel frustrated and don't yet have words or impulse control. Naming the feeling and teaching a safe alternative helps over time.