Titles by Elizabeth Crary

Profusely illustrated and eminently accessible, this indispensable manual provides hundreds of practical#&8212;and occasionally unorthodox#&8212;ideas to help parents cope with#&160; developmental issues such as throwing food and always saying no, safety conflicts such as running in the parking lot, and interpersonal issues such as teasing siblings and refusing to share toys. A final section also includes advice for parents who have reached the end of their rope and have become angry or frustrated.

Someone is stealing the delicious pickles from Amy's lunch day after day. How can Amy find out who is taking the pickle and stop it? This engaging book, which allows readers to determine the course of the action, is designed to teach children how to identify problems, brainstorm options, think through the possible outcome of each option and, finally, to select and implement a solution. With these problem-solving skills, kids are better prepared to cope with every kind of concern without resorting to angry outbursts.

Walking parents through the concept of emotional competency, this practical manual argues that it begins by teaching children to identify and acknowledge their feelings. The book provides exercises and examples that demonstrate how children—including toddlers—can cope with their emotions, using problem-solving tools and self-calming techniques such as exercise or a few minutes alone with a favorite book. The straightforward advice provided will counsel parents on how to survive their children’s emotional meltdowns and help them think through how to prevent future problems. Just as importantly, it teaches caregivers how to remain calm themselves so that they can recognize and manage both the causes and results of children’s frustration.

Heidi loves the special hat her aunt made, but there's an annoying classmate who keeps grabbing it off her head. How can Heidi get him to stop teasing her? This easy-to-read book is designed to teach children, who are encouraged to choose Heidi’s response, how to identify problems, brainstorm options, think through the possible outcome of each option and finally, to select and implement a solution. With these problem-solving skills, kids are better prepared to cope with every kind of concern.

Using the STAR Parenting process, this manual gives parents the tools they need to teach children how to get attention without hitting or whining, deal with feelings without blowing up or giving up, establish and respect boundaries, and solve problems without resorting to yelling or hurting. It offers parents advice on how to reduce their role as referee, gives immediate help with a process to handle any sibling conflict, and provides easy-to-understand examples of real-life situations, as well as giving them insight into ways they may be encouraging the quarreling they hate. While the squabbling between siblings won’t stop altogether, this guide does demonstrate how to instill “people” skills that will help children get along within the context of their family and in the outside world.

This series recognizes that children are entitled to their feelings even when their behavior needs to be corrected. It acknowledges specific feelings and offers children several ways to deal with them. Each book features a choose-your-own-adventure format, and shows what different outcomes of choices might be#&8212;allowing children to back up and try another solution if they don#&8217;t like the outcome, or to try a variety of choices to see how each might turn out.

#&160;

Annie and Jesse are very excited because it#&8217;s their birthday. Young children will love helping the twins find activities to release their high energy on this special day.

This series recognizes that children are entitled to their feelings even when their behavior needs to be corrected. It acknowledges specific feelings and offers children several ways to deal with them. Each book features a choose-your-own-adventure format, and shows what different outcomes of choices might be#&8212;allowing children to back up and try another solution if they don#&8217;t like the outcome, or to try a variety of choices to see how each might turn out.

#&160;

Alex just can#&8217;t seem to skate as well as his older brother and sister can, and he thinks about smashing his skates. Readers are encouraged to help Alex find better ways to express his frustration and find other fun things to do.