HabitSeedsA story written for your kid who hits when they're angry
Your child knows hitting is wrong. In the moment, their hands are faster than the rule. This story gives them something else to do with the feeling.
- Best for
- Ages 2–4, Ages 5–7
- Length
- 24, 28, 32 pages, based on reading age
- Price
- From $7.99, one-time
- Written
- New for your child
Why it’s so hard for them
Young children feel anger in their bodies long before they can name it, and the part of the brain that puts a pause between feeling and doing is still years from finished. So a child who hits usually isn't choosing to be mean. The feeling just got there first.
That's why telling them again after it happens rarely sticks. What helps is a clear picture of what to do instead, rehearsed when they're calm, so it's ready when the anger arrives.
How the story goes
Every book is written from what you tell us, so yours will be its own. Here’s the shape a story like this usually takes.
The anger has a reason
The hero's tower gets knocked over, or a toy is grabbed. The story names the feeling and why it's there, so your child sees anger as something that happens to everyone, not something that makes them bad.
One small thing instead
Hands go on the tummy, one slow breath, then words: "I'm mad. That was mine." A real step your child could try tomorrow, not a magic fix.
The same words come back
The hero uses that step more than once, so your child hears it enough to borrow it.
It goes right
The grown-up notices and the friend gives the toy back. The story ends on what the good choice earned, not on a punishment.
Questions to ask while you read
The conversation is where the lesson sticks. Pause on a page and try one of these, then let your child lead. Why we build books this way.
- Where in their body did the hero feel the mad first?
- What did they do with their hands instead? Can you show me?
- When did you feel that mad this week?
Questions parents ask
Will reading a book stop my child from hitting?
No book can promise that. A story gives your child a picture of what to do instead and words they can borrow, which works best alongside what you're already doing at home. If hitting is causing injuries, is getting worse, or came on suddenly, talk to your pediatrician.
Does the story shame my child for hitting?
Never. The hero feels the anger, may slip once, and tries again. Grown-ups in the story praise the choice, not the child for being good.
Can I describe the exact situation where my child hits?
Yes, and you should. Tell us who it happens with and what sets it off, like a sibling grabbing toys or leaving the playground, and the story is built around that moment.
Is this a social story about hitting?
It's close, but not quite. Social stories are short, literal stories that walk a child through one situation step by step, and they're often used with autistic children. Ours are illustrated picture books with a plot, built on the same core idea: a child like yours, a clear picture of what happens, and one concrete thing to do. Describe the situation and the words you use at home, and we'll build the story around them.
Do I pick from ready-made books?
No. Every book is written and illustrated new from what you tell us: what your child is facing, a hero you name, their reading age and the setting. This page is a starting point, not a finished book.
How much does a book cost?
Ages 2–4: 24 pages for $7.99; Ages 5–7: 28 pages for $9.99; Ages 7–10: 32 pages for $11.99. Length and price follow the reading age you select, paid once. No subscription. Sign in before checkout and your first book is 20% off.
Do you use a photo of my child?
No, never. The hero is an original illustrated character you name and describe, so the story is about what your child is going through, not their face.
How do I get the book?
Writing and illustrating takes a few minutes after checkout. You read it in our online reader, download it as a PDF to print at home, and we email you when it's ready.
Tell us what’s happening.
We’ve filled in a starting point. Change it to match your child, and we’ll write the rest.
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