Ravi’s Roar, teaches through fun and not guilt

There are two current illustrate book series on kid’s emotions that have been in our wheelhouse lately. For our money, and for a couple of reasons the Big Bright Feelings series is much more enjoyable and effective. The later term is more important for us now because our 8 year-old is having issues processing certain things. Currently his ‘thing’ is anger, thus it was a perfect time for us to read Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival.  

The books in the Big Bright Feelings series live up to their first name. Ravi’s Roar is a big, illustrated book that centers on Ravi. He’s a harmless enough looking elementary aged kid who is the smallest and youngest of four siblings. He’s the first to admit that sometimes being the smallest was great, but when it’s not great it can be really frustrating.  

Ravi and his family are going to park to play. However, on the trip there things start to go bad. He has to share a seat with his dog-who then farts, he can’t find his siblings while playing hide and seek, he’s too short for the slide and the playground equipment is too big. He’s getting frustrated quickly and with each passing moment you can see his face getting redder and his little hands curling up into fists.  

The skies around the park get darker and finally Ravi sprouts a tiger head, with red radiating all around him in a chaotic fashion.   Ravi rages against everything and people give him whatever he wants. The ice cream that was gone is given to him by his brother, he’s given a seat and he’s taking the ball during other people’s games. It’s here where the lesson hits the story and that’s the fact that nobody likes someone who only gets what they want. People will stop playing with you, not invite you to the area or even move out of the way if there’s a change you’ll be in their circle.  

Our 8 year-old is learning this. He gets frustrated because he’s not the best at a sport, can’t read/comprehend text as well as the other kids or thinks that they’re picking on him just because he’s not as tall as them. I can see his ‘roar’ forming a mile away. His face gets red, he starts to shake and generally freaks out. We call it melting.  

Whatever you call it, Ravi’s Roar is exactly what kids who are going through this phase need. Dealing with frustration, not getting what you want or dealing with disappointment is something that can be challenging. Percival’s illustrations are great for this series. At times the pages are corner to corner color, with just shades of darker frustration drawn in. When the dust settles and Ravi starts to calm down, those clouds, both metaphorical and figuratively fade away.  

We’re still working on the literal part of our eight year-old when we can see him start to roar. Ravi’s Roar is great for pre-K through mid-elementary school kids who need to know that it’s normal and OK to feel angry. This book, due to its illustrations and pacing makes kids understand that they will get angry. It also lets them know that it’ll make them feel better to talk about it, much to the delight of parents around the world.