Fergal and the Bad Temper

by Robert Starling

Overview

A young dragon must learn to control his anger in Robert Starling's Fergal and the Bad Temper, a funny picture book for fiery kids everywhere!

Fergal the dragon does not like being told what to do. It’s not fair! And when things aren’t fair, Fergal loses his temper and snorts angry fire.

He feels sorry afterward, but Fergal just can’t control his outburts!

After one really fiery day, his family and friends offer him some advice to calm down. Can this dragon learn to cool it before a temper tantrum hits?

An Imprint Book

"A useful, relatable lesson, enchantingly told." —Booklist

"Tempers will cool once kids meet Fergal." —Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250198624
Publisher:	Imprint
Publication date:	04/30/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,027,410
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Robert Starling began doodling creatures and characters at school and hasn't stopped since then. He lives and works in Bristol, and when he's not sketching new characters or writing down stories he can be found sculpting, brewing coffee, adjusting his headphones, or foraging in the kitchen for cake. Oh, and teaching kids. Fergal and the Bad Temper is his first book.

Editorial Reviews

06/03/2019

Newcomer Starling introduces Fergal, an orange dragon with big eyes and a long snout. Normally, “he’s a friendly little fellow,” but he gets mad when others tell him what to do, from eating greens to missing a turn. Starling’s mixed-media illustrations show Fergal’s fiery path of destruction as he obliterates the vegetables on his plate and incinerates a board game. When his temper leads his gentle woodland animal friends to abandon him (“It’s not FAIR,” he says), his lanky dragon mother shows him tough love: “Well Fergal, dinner is in the trash, Bear’s pastries are burned and no one can play soccer, and that’s not fair.” Counting to 10 when he feels angry helps the dragon to “cool down” and make up with his friends—who, he learns, also have their angry moments and coping mechanisms. Starling’s deep-feeling protagonist models to readers how one can learn to express emotions while being mindful of others. Ages 3–6. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"A useful, relatable lesson, enchantingly told." —Booklist

"Tempers will cool once kids meet Fergal." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

08/09/2019

PreS-K-When Fergal the dragon gets angry, he snorts fire, often incinerating the things that are upsetting him, and not making him feel any better. At first, his friends and family are patient with his outbursts, but soon his friends have had enough. His mother teaches him the trick that she uses when she gets upset, and he decides to try it the next time he loses his temper. Happily, he finds that taking his mother's advice helps him curb his outbursts, and he begins to notice the tricks others use to calm themselves when they get steamed. This book is ideal for preschoolers who are learning about patience and managing their feelings; it models how to discuss bad tempers without punishing or condemning children for losing their cool. The easy, repetitive language, coupled with friendly illustrations reminiscent of Emily Gravett's Again!, makes this an accessible and engaging read for young children. VERDICT This is a helpful book to have on hand for families working on teaching calming techniques to their children.-Mary Lanni, formerly at Denver Public Library

School Library Journal

2019-01-28

A young dragon erupts in fits of fiery fury.

Fergal dislikes being told what to do and when to do it; this state of affairs just is "not FAIR." Whenever things aren't fair, Fergal responds with a mouthful of FIRE, destroying everything in the flames' way. Though he's contrite afterward, he can't control his blazing temper despite unfortunate consequences that inevitably ensue. When friends reject his destructive ways, Fergal bemoans the unfairness of that situation to Mom, who explains how badly his behavior has hurt others and himself and then shares her own method for calming down when angry. Fergal tries it soon after and it works, and then he discovers that his animal pals employ useful temper-tempering strategies, too. In the end, Fergal learns to use his fire for his friends' benefit. This cute British import succinctly and not so subtly conveys a message about tantrums that should settle comfortably on the ears and minds of young readers/listeners. The included strategies may prove helpful to children and harried adults struggling to calm angry youngsters during frustrated outbursts. The illustrations, rendered in acrylic, gouache, and digital media, are appealing and expressive; animal characters represent different species and are depicted in various colors, sizes, and shapes.

Tempers will cool once kids meet Fergal. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews