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Quick answer: The best books for Kids About Self Control include Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems, My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein 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.
Self-control means waiting, stopping to think and choosing what to do with big feelings. These picture books help kids practise patience, calm down and make better choices, and they are useful at home and in the classroom.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting Is Not Easy! | Mo Willems | 3-7 | impatient kids |
| My Mouth Is a Volcano! | Julia Cook | 5-9 | kids who interrupt |
| Interrupting Chicken | David Ezra Stein | 3-7 | bedtime interrupters |
| What If Everybody Did That? | Ellen Javernick | 4-8 | kids learning about choices |
| Llama Llama Mad at Mama | Anna Dewdney | 2-5 | toddlers who melt down |
| Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker | Christianne C. Jones | 4-8 | chatty kids |
| David Gets in Trouble | David Shannon | 3-7 | kids who make excuses |
| When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry | Molly Bang | 3-7 | kids with big feelings |
| The Way I Act | Steve Metzger | 3-7 | kids learning good choices |
| Calm-Down Time | Elizabeth Verdick | 1-4 | toddlers |
| Grumpy Monkey | Suzanne Lang | 3-7 | grumpy kids |
| I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! | Julia Cook | 5-9 | kids who argue |
| Sometimes I'm Bombaloo | Rachel Vail | 3-7 | kids with tempers |
| Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse | Kevin Henkes | 4-8 | kids who can't wait |
| Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | 4-8 | kids who like word definitions |
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. Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems
Gerald struggles to wait for Piggie's surprise. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: impatient kids.
2. My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
Louis learns to hold in his words until it's his turn. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who interrupt.
3. Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
A little chicken keeps jumping into stories. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: bedtime interrupters.
4. What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
Imagines what happens if everyone breaks small rules. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids learning about choices.
5. Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama loses his temper at the store. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: toddlers who melt down.
6. Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones
Lacey learns to listen. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: chatty kids.
7. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
David learns to say sorry. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids who make excuses.
8. When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
Sophie calms herself in nature. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids with big feelings.
9. The Way I Act by Steve Metzger
Children show patience, honesty and self-control. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids learning good choices.
10. Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Simple calming strategies. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers.
11. Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
Jim the chimp learns it's okay to feel grumpy. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: grumpy kids.
12. I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! by Julia Cook
RJ learns to accept no for an answer. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who argue.
13. Sometimes I'm Bombaloo by Rachel Vail
Katie becomes Bombaloo when she is angry. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: kids with tempers.
14. Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly can't wait to show off her purse in class. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who can't wait.
15. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Cookies explain words like patience. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who like word definitions.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers, start with Calm-Down Time and Llama Llama Mad at Mama. Kids who struggle with waiting will connect with Waiting Is Not Easy! and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. For interrupting, try My Mouth Is a Volcano! and Interrupting Chicken, and for anger, When Sophie Gets Angry and Sometimes I'm Bombaloo are excellent.
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?
Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems 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 9, 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.