(AD - Gifted) As parents we've all been there, watching our child's emotions bubble up like a volcano about to erupt. Whether it's over a lost game, a sibling dispute or simply being told "no”, managing our children's anger can feel overwhelming at times. That's why I was interested to read Cool That Volcano: How to Help Children Stay Calm, Manage Anger and Master Emotions by Peter Black. 

Review of Cool That Volcano

Cool That Volcano Book Review

As a mum of 3 I have experienced my share of parenting challenges (and shared many of them with you here on Counting to Ten) so I'm always on the lookout for resources that offer real, practical solutions. When our children struggle with their emotions, it affects the whole family and having the right tools can make all the difference.

Unlike many parenting books that feel heavy on theory but light on practical advice, "Cool That Volcano" takes a hands on approach. 

Highlights of the book are:

• The simple, age appropriate strategies that parents and children can work on together.
• It supports the idea that all children are different and as their parent you will know best how to adapt the suggestions to their needs.
• It contains practical exercises you can try immediately.
• While the book aims to help stop children’s anger getting it out of control, it is important to recognise that we all have strong emotions at times and the importance of understanding them rather than repressing or ignoring how we feel and why.

Sections in the book:

1. Understanding Emotions. The first section introduces the clever analogy of a volcano to help children understand how anger builds up. This visual representation really helps young ones recognise their emotional patterns.

2. Managing Emotions. This section talks about how to spot when a volcano is about to erupt as well as the idea of Icebergs. One of the book's most memorable approaches is teaching children to use 'icebergs' to cool their emotional volcanoes. This visual metaphor really resonates with children, helping them understand how cooling thoughts and actions (their 'icebergs') can help manage their rising anger (the 'volcano'). The book provides practical examples of 'icebergs', from breathing techniques to going for a walk, that children can easily remember and use when they feel their anger building up.

3. Processing Emotions. Just because the moment of anger has passed, or an outburst has been avoided, it  doesn't mean that the feelings and causes behind the anger have vanished. This section talks about the importance of using techniques to work through the emotions. 

4. Maintaining Emotional Balance. Rather than just dealing with angry explosions, the book offers preventative strategies that you can practice during calm moments to make it less likely that the volcano will erupt in future. 

Who Would Benefit From This Book?

This book is particularly helpful for:

• Parents of children aged 5 to 10 who struggle with anger management (it can help both children and adults change their behaviour)
• Families looking for practical strategies to handle emotional outbursts
• Teachers and caregivers working with primary school children
• Parents who want to take a proactive approach to emotional development

My Verdict

While no single book can solve all parenting challenges, Cool That Volcano offers an accessible approach to helping children manage their anger.  If you're looking for practical tools to help your child manage their emotions better, this book is worth adding to your parenting toolkit. It's particularly valuable for those moments when you need clear, actionable strategies rather than just theoretical advice.