Hammerhead's Recess Challenge Big Book

My kids were constantly arguing on the playground, but after going through the conflict scenarios in this book, they actually started talking things out. The specific steps for emotional regulation are laid out so clearly that even my 8-year-old can follow them.

The conflict resolution scenarios are so realistic that my kids started using the "I feel" statements from the book during their own arguments. The short chapters made it easy to read one each night before bed.

My 7-year-old actually asked to keep reading the scenarios after dinner instead of watching TV, which never happens. The way it teaches taking turns during conflicts without making it feel like a lecture is really clever.

My third grader has been using the breathing exercises from this book during disagreements with her brother, and it's actually working. The step-by-step approach to taking responsibility is laid out so clearly that she can follow it on her own.

We started using the conflict-resolution prompts during car rides, and my kids actually remembered to try them at school the next day. The way it teaches responsibility through a simple story clicked with them immediately.

My 8-year-old had a playground disagreement the other day and actually used the "take a break" strategy from this book to calm down before talking it out. It's rare to find a kids' book that makes emotional-regulation feel like a game rather than a lecture. The conflict resolution scenarios feel real enough that my child connects with them immediately.

I’ve been reading this with my first-grader after school, and the way it breaks down taking turns and cooling off actually makes sense to him. The recess scenario feels real enough that he’s started using the “calm down” steps on his own when his little sister annoys him.

My second-grader was having trouble with playground conflicts, but this book's step-by-step approach to talking things out actually clicked with her. The scenarios feel real enough that she practices the calming-down steps on her own now.

The recess scenarios are incredibly relatable for my 7-year-old—he's already started talking through arguments instead of just yelling. I just wish the pages were a bit sturdier, as they’re already getting dog-eared.

The scenarios feel a bit repetitive after the first few, but the focus on emotional regulation is definitely helpful. I’ve used it with my third graders a few times, and it does get them talking.