I Don’t Want to be Nice!

Help young children recognize and understand their feelings, their actions, and how they are connected.

Finn is not very kind to his classmates, and he cares mostly about himself. He doesn’t help Ahmed or Lily. He shoves Molly and Freddy on the playground. In soccer, he doesn’t play fair. The children are mad at Finn. Then, when no one wants to play with him at recess, he feels sad and lonely. How will Finn find a way to make it all better? Ultimately, Finn’s teacher helps him see that he can change his mean behavior and that kindness leads to friendship and fun.

The Our Emotions and Behavior series uses cheerful brightly illustrated stories to help kids understand how their emotions and actions are related—and how they can learn to manage both. At the end of each book, a two-page series of pictures invites kids to tell a story in their own words. A special section for adults suggests discussion questions and ideas for guiding children to talk about their feelings.