Self-control is such an important topic that I bring up repeatedly with my students. it is often a subject that has to be re-taught over and over again. I use children’s books on self-control as a gateway to open discussions in the learning environment. Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, or parent, using books to help illustrate a topic you want to teach is a great way for children to learn. As you read the book, ask engaging questions like: why do you think the character did that? how do you think they felt when that happened? questions like this help build understanding and empathy.
I use this Executive Functioning Passport activity that covers self-control and this weather themed sorting activity called Forecast your choices to encourage making good choices. Also, check out this blog post about Teaching Self-Control in the Classroom for additional strategies and ideas for lessons. Here is a list of some of the awesome children’s books about self-control out there that I use to help teach this topic to students.
You are reading: Children’s books about self control
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My Mouth is a Volcano
title of the book and author: my mouth is a volcano by julia cook.
a brief summary of the book: louis has a hard time exploding, when other people speak, the words just come out of his mouth. she has trouble interrupting, waiting her turn to speak in class, and speaking at inappropriate times. his words slide from her head onto her tongue. his belly rumbles and growls, and his words start moving and jerking and then the volcano (his mouth) erupts. Later, in class during an important presentation for Louis, a classmate named Richard interrupts and tells a random story that takes all attention away from what Louis was saying. louis learns how it feels to be interrupted. His mom teaches her how to control his rashes by biting down hard and holding the words, breathing deeply, blowing the words out through her nose. then when it’s your turn to speak, he takes a deep breath and pops them back into his mouth. Louis uses this technique and finds that it works to help keep his words inside until it’s his turn to talk.
Why I like the book: This book is a must if you’re trying to teach a bit about how to interrupt, which as a teacher can be a vital topic. the way louis explains how his words come out is pure genius, such an illustrative way of explaining it to children. I also love how her mom teaches her to control her words, it’s something a child could use for many behaviors, not just interrupting.
the moral of the story: you can control your impulses with different strategies.
topics covered: self-control, impulse control, hyperactivity.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): my mouth is a volcano on amazon
I have ants in my pants
title of the book and author: i have ants in julia cook’s pants
a brief summary of the book: louis from my mouth is a volcano (another favorite book) is back, this time to teach us how to control our wiggles. The book begins with Louis struggling to control his movements on the rug during story time, standing in line at the cafeteria, and watching a movie at the theater. His mom decides to teach him the wiggle dance and other strategies to control his wiggles. it also looks at personal space, using a soft approach, and not talking while others are talking.
Why I like the book: This book is just what I need to talk to those fidgety little ones who just won’t sit still, perfect for self-control lessons in the classroom. I can already see her doing the wiggle dance with a group of students, they’re going to love it! staying in our personal space is now more important than ever with the need for safe social distancing, this book is a must have for teachers and counselors alike.
the moral of the story: you can control your impulses with different strategies.
topics covered: self-control, impulse control, hyperactivity.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): i have ants in my pants on amazon
My Magical choices
book title and author: my becky cummings magical choices.
A brief summary of the book: The decisions you make have superpowers, they can make good or bad things happen. As the book says, you are the captain of your own ship, steering the helm on this magical journey (I love it!). The book reviews different choices you can make, such as being helpful, responsible, patient, confident, generous, calm, brave, forgiving, a good sport, gentle, kind, honest, and funny. each choice gives examples of how to make that choice. I choose to be patient, set an example of taking your time, waiting your turn and staying calm.
Why I like the book: What I like most about this book is that it touches on a lot of different topics, like being responsible, patient, forgiving, because those are all choices we make. I could use this book with so many lessons because of the variety of topics. the best part? These books are available for free on Kindle Unlimited.
The moral of the story: You have the power to make good decisions.
Topics covered: self-control, impulse control, making good decisions.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): my magical picks on amazon
Even Super-heroes have bad days
book title and author: even superheroes have bad days by shelly becker.
A brief summary of the book: exploring what would happen if superheroes made poor decisions on a bad day, using laser eyes to light wildfires or throwing boomerangs to deflate city tires. but superheroes have options, they could go on a rampage but they don’t, because real superheroes just wouldn’t, won’t. instead, they use their superpowers on their hearts, fighting the urge to do harm. it’s okay if they get sad but then get up and continue saving the world.
See Also: David Rivers – Book Series In Order
Why I like the book: This book is perfect for kids because who doesn’t love superheroes? and I love the idea that superheroes can do harm, but choose not to. instead, they choose to do good. acknowledges the fact that even superheroes have to calm down when they’re upset. makes the idea of making good decisions great!
the moral of the story: you can choose to make good decisions.
Topics covered: self-control, impulse control, making good decisions, helping others.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): even superheroes have bad days on amazon
What Should danny do?
title of the book and author: what should danny do? by ganit & levy adir
A brief summary of the book: Meet Danny, a superhero in training who works on his power of choice. With this power, he can change his day by changing his choices. he goes through different situations in his day like not getting something he wants, his brother laughs at him when he gets hurt and other possible conflicts. danny has 2 choices he can make, one that will make the situation worse and one that will make it better. The reader chooses which choice Danny should make and tells you, based on that choice, which page to turn to next. bad decisions lead to consequences and discussions with their parents about how to make good decisions. Good choices lead to positive praise from parents and Danny’s pride.
why I like the book: I really love this book because of how interactive it is with the reader, it will keep a child very interested. It’s also a fun class lesson, you can have students as a group choose which option. every time you read it, it could be a different story depending on the choices you make. it’s more than smart!
The moral of the story: You have the power to make good decisions.
Topics covered: self-control, impulse control, making good decisions.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): what should danny do? on amazon
what should danny do? (school edition) on amazon
It’s hard to be five
Book Title and Author: It’s Hard Being Five Years Old by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell.
A brief summary of the book: oh, the problems of being a five year old, with all the rules and being told no, and starting school. all you want to do is play and adults want you to stay put. the first half of the book goes through the struggles of being five, then moves on to the fun of being five. you can build things, grow things, and make good decisions. like knowing when to stop and go, when to walk and when to run, and being in control of your actions.
Why I like the book: I like that it empathizes with the children’s experience and how they should feel and then moves on to how it can be positive. I also like the idea of learning how to manage your control panel, there is a control panel on the first and last page of the book. the first page shows a panel out of control and the last page shows a panel under control. this makes for a great discussion on how to get better control of our own behavior/control panels.
the moral of the story: growing up means learning to control your behavior.
Topics covered: self-control, impulse control, making good decisions.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): it’s hard to be five years old on amazon
Breathe like a bear
title of the book and author: breathe like a bear by kira willey.
A Brief Summary of the Book: Breathe Like a Bear is a collection of child-friendly mindfulness exercises using nature and animal themes. He begins by explaining that we all feel hyperactive and need help calming down sometimes. the exercises he teaches are meant to help you feel calm and at peace, so you can make better decisions and stay focused. The book is divided into five sections: keep calm, focus, imagine, do some energy, and relax. goes through different breathing and visualization exercises, all in a kid-friendly way.
Why I like the book: This book has 30 different mindfulness exercises for kids. makes breathing fun and engaging for children to be interested in using beautiful illustrations of bears, foxes, elephants, bunnies, clouds, snakes, flowers and bears. you could pick a few favorites and make it a great class lesson on mindfulness. (FYI, this is not a storybook).
the moral of the story: you can control your impulses with different strategies.
Topics covered: self-control, impulse control, mindfulness, coping skills.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): breathe like a bear on amazon
A little spot of patience
title of the book and author: diane alber’s little point of patience
See Also: | PCWorld
a brief summary of the book: meet the point of patience that teaches how and when to wait. the little dots go through different situations that you would need patience for, such as growing a tree, coloring, solving a puzzle, baking food, long car rides, waiting for the glue to dry, waiting in line for your turn and waiting your turn to speak in class. Then Little Spot teaches you how to find your quiet spot by being creative and using your imagination to keep busy or take your mind off the wait. the patience point also explains that there are things you can do to increase your patience.
Why I like the book: I love all the dotted books because they explain things in a very child-friendly way. the illustrations are adorable and the explanations are on point. the best part? These books are available for free on Kindle Unlimited.
the moral of the story: you can learn and practice to be patient.
topics covered: self-control, impulse control, patience.
where can I buy this book (affiliate link): a little patience on amazon
Clark the shark
title of the book and author: clark the shark by bruce hale and guy francis.
A brief summary of the book: Clark is the biggest and strongest boy in his school. Clark loves school and is very enthusiastic and expressive of his joy, but it is often at inappropriate times. he yells during class reading time, plays too rough during recess, and helps himself to others’ food during lunchtime. his teacher talks to him about learning to stay cool and that there is a time and a place for everything. Clark tries to do this but has a hard time remembering to stay calm. he comes up with a way to remember, with a rhyme! he comes up with different rhymes so he can remember to use self-control. Then there’s a new kid in class who’s just like Clark, and Clark teaches him how to stay cool.
why i like the book: this book is perfect for those bully kids in a china shop who mean well but always seem to be a little rough around the edges and don’t think about their actions and how to look or impact others.
the moral of the story: there is a time and a place for everything.
topics covered: self-control, impulse control, behavior.
where can i buy this book (affiliate link): clark the shark on amazon
What were you thinking?
title of the book and author: what were you thinking? learning to control your impulses by bryan smith.
A brief summary of the book: Braden likes to get attention from others, often making others laugh. After a few unwelcome jokes, impulsive behavior that hurts someone else, and impulsively eating 12 cupcakes, her teacher, coach, and her mom decide to talk to Braden about controlling her impulses. Her teacher tells her that every time Braden does something impulsive, she has to ask herself if it made the situation better or worse. she also tells him about the times of day when it would be a good time to be fun at school, like recess or lunch. his teacher gives him a rule-of-thumb advice card: stop what you are doing, think about what you are going to say or do, decide if it will make the situation better or worse, choose the behavior that will make the situation better. Braden finds himself in a situation in the cafeteria where he makes a good decision, albeit a difficult one, and decides that he wants to stop getting into trouble and be an expert on impulses.
why i like the book: i love the advice card the teacher in the book gives braden to remind him to think about his choices before he makes them. I also think that the examples given in the book are completely realistic, so a lot of times kids make bad decisions because they didn’t think about the aftermath.
the moral of the story: our actions have consequences.
topics covered: self-control, impulse control, hyperactivity.
where can I buy this book (affiliate link): what were you thinking? on amazon
self-control resources
Combine your favorite children’s books on self-control with these engaging activities to create the perfect lesson for the classroom.
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See Also: Gilly MacMillan – Book Series In Order