Being Friends; Feeling Shy; Telling the Truth; Feeling Angry

A new series of attractive books by the reliable Althea (author of many 'situation' books) which is intended to help Junior children to deal with some of the common problems they encounter in their emotional and social development. The eminent psychologist, Dorothy Rowe, is consultant to the series and she contributes a useful afterword to each title aimed at the teachers and parents who will mediate these books with children. Each book focuses on one aspect of behaviour and explores its implications in an honest, if sometimes rather earnest way. There is a non-judgmental feel to the advice and information. for instance, in Feeling Angry it is made clear that 'Exploding with anger can cause problems - you can't always let yourself do it.' But possible ways of dealing with the anger are suggested.

Not all the advice is in the adult voice. Quotations from children are used ('It always ends with me being sent to my room!') and this further helps to avoid the danger of appearing to patronise and pontificate. Text is boxed or in speech bubbles, rather in the manner of the photo stories in comics and this gives a contemporary feel to the books, as well as making them easy to read.

This series would make an excellent support for circle time in school, for P.S.E. work or for discussion between children to help develop an honest and helpful debate on some tricky issues.