Zach Gets Frustrated

Book:  Zach Gets Frustrated (Book Link)
Author: William Mulcahy (Author Link)
Illustrator: Darren McKee (Illustrator Link)
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Date of Publication: 2012
Genre: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonists, Informational Text
Lexile Score: AD580L
Citation: Mulcahy, W. (2012). Zach Gets Frustrated. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

Summary: In this story the main character Zach gets frustrated when he can't fly his kite.  He gets very mad and wants to go home immediately even though they had just gotten to the beach.  He then started to take his frustration out on others.  The dad talks with Zach and explains to him that everyone gets frustrated sometimes but that you have to learn how to deal with it.  He creates the "frustration triangle".  The 3 points of the triangle are Name It, Tame It, and Reframe It.  This gave Zach a different technique on how to deal with his anger.  He also gave him some "chill skills" to tame it such as mediate, stretch, or picture something you love.  Then try to reframe it by looking at the problem in a new way.  

Audience:  I would say this book would be targeted at grades first through fourth.  I think this is a great book to have in the classroom because it can be read if the children are having a tough day.  They can maybe have a quiet corner with this book in it, or have the frustration triangle pictured in the room. 

Evaluation:  I thought this was a great picture book to talk about frustration.  Especially if you have frustrated children who may tend to act out in your classroom.  This might provide them with some techniques that can be put in place when they are struggling with how to deal with their anger.  The pictures made the book enjoyable to read, and it was definitely child friendly.

Activity: 
Have the students in your class draw out their own 'frustration triangle'.  Allow them to get creative and make them as fun as they want, labeling each corner with the terms: Name it, Tame it, Reframe it.