What to Do When It's Time to Calm Down

by Cara Goodwin PhD, Katie Turner (Illustrator)

Overview

Teach toddlers how to calm down when big feelings strike!

Toddlers are still learning how to speak, socialize, and understand their emotions—and when they get overwhelmed, angry, or too excited, sometimes they react with larger-than-life outbursts. What to Do When It's Time to Calm Down helps toddlers understand why these outbursts can happen, what they feel like, and tangible ways to calm down their bodies and make too-big feelings a little bit smaller.

This colorful board book offers:

Specific ways to stay calm—Kids will learn how to calm down from big feelings with safe and heathy actions like breathing with their bellies, asking for a hug, using their Calm-Down Kit, or relaxing all their muscles one by one!

Age-appropriate explanations—The language in this book is kid-friendly and positive, encouraging toddlers to identify and communicate the emotions they're feeling.

Engaging illustrations—Adorable illustrations of other toddlers on sturdy board book pages help kids see these ideas in action!

Help toddlers control their bodies and minds when emotions take over with What to Do When It's Time to Calm Down.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798886500042
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	03/24/2026
Series:	Big Feelings Books for Toddlers
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	24
Age Range:	1 - 3 Years

About the Author

CARA GOODWIN, PhD, is a psychologist and a mother of three. She has spent years researching child psychology and neuroscience, as well as providing therapy for children of all ages. Find out more at ParentingTranslator.com.

KATIE TURNER earned her BFA from Parsons School of Design in New York City and has been an illustrator for more than 10 years. She particularly loves to draw things from nature, such as bugs, flowers, and animals. Katie is also the author and illustrator of The Cat Who Got Framed and the forthcoming Vanilla Bean. She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee.