Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry (Good News for Little Hearts Series)

Our kids really like this book and we use it to refer back to when they are getting upset. I think it is a good explanation of things that can make a kiddo angry and how to react well, say sorry, and ask for forgiveness. My only complaint is that they use the phrase ‘the great book’ rather than saying ‘The Bible’. We just swap the words when we read it, but I don’t see the point in Papa Squirrel not expressly saying that the truths come from the Bible. I think it’s a missed opportunity to share the importance of Scripture with kids.

It’s no secret that learning to deal with anger is a life-long process. However, figuring out how to help your children apply Biblical truths to emotions can prove challenging. This is an engaging story that explores how the Gospel helps us deal with anger. The appendix “Helping Your Child with Anger” provides sound teaching for parents as they guide their children in dealing with anger. I love the validation that the first point makes: “Anger says that something in your world that matters to you has gone wrong.” Without that validation, humans—and especially the littlest among us—will not be able to understand the root cause that helps unlock the key to overcoming anger. The challenge for any author is to present truth in a way that resonates with the reader’s experience. Jocelyn Flenders achieves this. My four-year-old grandson repeatedly requested this book during a recent two-week stay. Any children’s book worth its salt has artwork that draws readers into the story. The colorful and expressive illustrations by Joe Hox beautifully flow with the text. Jax’s Tail Twitches combines words and art to create a charming tale that is compelling and enjoyable.

Our eldest kids are 3 getting close to 4 and 5 and they are a great age for this book. I was having a difficulty time finding books on anger that aligned with our theological views and this one fits perfectly! My kids love the illustrations including my 2 year old who does not quite understand the story but he is entertained by it.

Such a beautifully written book. We’re looking forward to getting the others! The story is perfect, the illustrations are wonderful. For us the best part was the note to parents in the back - it was so helpful to read those reminders to help us help our daughter work through her anger. There is truly nothing else like this series out there. THANK YOU for writing these!!

I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed! How cute is this tale of tails! My 5 year old loved it and has asked me to read it twice a day. Excited to get the others in the series as well.

Our son loves this book. It has a great message for all to hear.

Such a great book on anger, engaging and excellently written

Beautiful and colorful pages!

My two year loves this book.

There is always a need for biblical counseling in the church. Whether it is a couple trying to save their marriage or parents dealing with their wayward teenager, the ministry of biblical counseling serves as a guide to counsel from God’s Word. Married couples and parents need it. Teenagers ought to heed it. But what about younger kids? Oftentimes, the scope of biblical counseling seems to apply to only adults and teenagers. Yet, as Christians who believe the Bible applies to all of life for all stages of life, doesn’t God’s Word give direction and counsel for children too? The publishers of New Growth Press believe so and have put forth biblical counseling for kids in their new “Good News For Little Hearts” children’s book series. Jax Squirrel and the Problem of Anger In this volume of the series, Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, we meet Jax and the Squirrel family as they prepare to gather acorns for the winter. The book opens with Jax and his brother, Caspian, arguing. Jax’s anger is on display from the beginning. When it comes time for the family to go out and gather acorns, Jax and Caspian get into another spat and Jax, in anger, begins fighting with his brother. This story doesn’t only highlight Jax’s anger. The anger of the whole Squirrel family comes to the light as they meet and argue with the McNuffle family over acorns. After these incidents, Papa Squirrel realizes his wrongful response of anger and uses it as a lesson to teach his family from the “Great Book” on how anger arises out of each of their hearts because of what they want and why anger does not produce the right and good life God wants them to have. He shows them from the “Great Book” that when they get angry, they need to apologize and ask for forgiveness and they can be forgiven because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for sinners. Each member of the Squirrel family, including Jax, ask each other for forgiveness and reconcile with the McNuffle family as they remember forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ. Creatively Counseling Children on Anger Jax’s Tail Twitches, edited by David Powlison and illustrated by Joe Hox, uses this story about Jax’s tail twitching to teach children an important lesson on dealing with anger. The book uses the imagery and characters of this story to creatively counsel children from God’s Word when they are angry. This tale does not end with a mere moral lesson either. Biblical counselor David Powlison makes sure to show we can be forgiven when we confess our anger based on the good news of Jesus Christ. This book and series show biblical counseling is not just for big people; it is for little hearts as well. It is biblical counseling for elementary-aged kids. This book is so much more than a book, though. Parents will appreciate the resources found in the back of the book, including a list of how to help their child with anger as well as back pocket Bible verses to cut out or copy for their children to use. If you are a parent who has a child that struggles with anger and you are unsure how to confront this problem, begin the conversation by taking them through Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry today! I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.

Our kids really like this book and we use it to refer back to when they are getting upset. I think it is a good explanation of things that can make a kiddo angry and how to react well, say sorry, and ask for forgiveness. My only complaint is that they use the phrase ‘the great book’ rather than saying ‘The Bible’. We just swap the words when we read it, but I don’t see the point in Papa Squirrel not expressly saying that the truths come from the Bible. I think it’s a missed opportunity to share the importance of Scripture with kids.

It’s no secret that learning to deal with anger is a life-long process. However, figuring out how to help your children apply Biblical truths to emotions can prove challenging. This is an engaging story that explores how the Gospel helps us deal with anger. The appendix “Helping Your Child with Anger” provides sound teaching for parents as they guide their children in dealing with anger. I love the validation that the first point makes: “Anger says that something in your world that matters to you has gone wrong.” Without that validation, humans—and especially the littlest among us—will not be able to understand the root cause that helps unlock the key to overcoming anger. The challenge for any author is to present truth in a way that resonates with the reader’s experience. Jocelyn Flenders achieves this. My four-year-old grandson repeatedly requested this book during a recent two-week stay. Any children’s book worth its salt has artwork that draws readers into the story. The colorful and expressive illustrations by Joe Hox beautifully flow with the text. Jax’s Tail Twitches combines words and art to create a charming tale that is compelling and enjoyable.

Our eldest kids are 3 getting close to 4 and 5 and they are a great age for this book. I was having a difficulty time finding books on anger that aligned with our theological views and this one fits perfectly! My kids love the illustrations including my 2 year old who does not quite understand the story but he is entertained by it.

Such a beautifully written book. We’re looking forward to getting the others! The story is perfect, the illustrations are wonderful. For us the best part was the note to parents in the back - it was so helpful to read those reminders to help us help our daughter work through her anger. There is truly nothing else like this series out there. THANK YOU for writing these!!

I had high hopes for this book and I was not disappointed! How cute is this tale of tails! My 5 year old loved it and has asked me to read it twice a day. Excited to get the others in the series as well.

Our son loves this book. It has a great message for all to hear.

Such a great book on anger, engaging and excellently written

Beautiful and colorful pages!

My two year loves this book.

There is always a need for biblical counseling in the church. Whether it is a couple trying to save their marriage or parents dealing with their wayward teenager, the ministry of biblical counseling serves as a guide to counsel from God’s Word. Married couples and parents need it. Teenagers ought to heed it. But what about younger kids? Oftentimes, the scope of biblical counseling seems to apply to only adults and teenagers. Yet, as Christians who believe the Bible applies to all of life for all stages of life, doesn’t God’s Word give direction and counsel for children too? The publishers of New Growth Press believe so and have put forth biblical counseling for kids in their new “Good News For Little Hearts” children’s book series. Jax Squirrel and the Problem of Anger In this volume of the series, Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, we meet Jax and the Squirrel family as they prepare to gather acorns for the winter. The book opens with Jax and his brother, Caspian, arguing. Jax’s anger is on display from the beginning. When it comes time for the family to go out and gather acorns, Jax and Caspian get into another spat and Jax, in anger, begins fighting with his brother. This story doesn’t only highlight Jax’s anger. The anger of the whole Squirrel family comes to the light as they meet and argue with the McNuffle family over acorns. After these incidents, Papa Squirrel realizes his wrongful response of anger and uses it as a lesson to teach his family from the “Great Book” on how anger arises out of each of their hearts because of what they want and why anger does not produce the right and good life God wants them to have. He shows them from the “Great Book” that when they get angry, they need to apologize and ask for forgiveness and they can be forgiven because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for sinners. Each member of the Squirrel family, including Jax, ask each other for forgiveness and reconcile with the McNuffle family as they remember forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ. Creatively Counseling Children on Anger Jax’s Tail Twitches, edited by David Powlison and illustrated by Joe Hox, uses this story about Jax’s tail twitching to teach children an important lesson on dealing with anger. The book uses the imagery and characters of this story to creatively counsel children from God’s Word when they are angry. This tale does not end with a mere moral lesson either. Biblical counselor David Powlison makes sure to show we can be forgiven when we confess our anger based on the good news of Jesus Christ. This book and series show biblical counseling is not just for big people; it is for little hearts as well. It is biblical counseling for elementary-aged kids. This book is so much more than a book, though. Parents will appreciate the resources found in the back of the book, including a list of how to help their child with anger as well as back pocket Bible verses to cut out or copy for their children to use. If you are a parent who has a child that struggles with anger and you are unsure how to confront this problem, begin the conversation by taking them through Jax’s Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry today! I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.

As the father of two young children, I am constantly on the lookout for good children’s books to teach the truths of the Gospel, the Bible, theology, and so forth to my children. Though my children are both under 4 and not yet reading, I am continuing to gather excellent resources to use with them now and in the years to come. Time and time again, I have been impressed with and thankful for the books that New Growth Press is putting out, not only for adults, but for children as well. And their newest series — Good News for Little Hearts — is no exception. This new series consists of 3 books, two written by David Powlison and one by Ed Welch. The series is intended for children three to eight years old. Each book centers on an animal family and brings Gospel help and biblical counsel to children and families. Whether the topic is failure, anger, or anxiety, or the animal is a rabbit, a squirrel, or a mouse, each of these books does an incredible job at combining biblical help and hope to issues that every child and family faces with excellent, brightly colored and fun illustrations and engaging prose and story telling. In each story, children are not offered mere moralism and rules to obey, but are offered practical ways to follow Jesus through difficult situations that they face. This story introduces us to a squirrel named Jax whose tail twitches when he gets angry. As the squirrel family is preparing to collect acorns for the winter, everyone in the family is on edge and wanting different things. As the story progresses, each member of the family has an outburst of anger for which they must apologize. The father leads the charge, admitting his failure and reminding the family that we all get angry when we don’t get our way or don’t get something that we want. He then leads them, one by one, to confess to one another where they did not get what they wanted that day and ask for forgiveness for their anger. Again, every child deals with anger when he or she doesn’t get his or her way. You can see this at a very early age, even in infants, and it only continues throughout the rest of our life. Through this story of Jax’s Tail Twitches, parents are able to help their children understand why it is that they get angry in the first place, how they are to repent and ask forgiveness for that anger, and how they can avoid that anger festering in the future. In each of these stories, parents are given the opportunity to have meaningful, important Gospel conversations about important issues in their children’s lives through the help of a fun and engaging story about animals. At the end of the each story is a guide for parents to help your child with the topic at hand. While the story is the engaging part for the child, this guide at the end of each book may be the most helpful part about these resources, as they offer short, helpful recommendations and encouragement to assist parents in engaging in biblical counseling with their children. I would wholeheartedly recommend every Christian parent get a copy of each of these three books. There is not a parent out there whose children has not or is not struggling with anger, fear, or failure. These book will be a great help to all parents seeking to help their children deal with these common issues in a Biblical, Christ-centered, Gospel-focused way. In accordance with FTC regulations, I would like to thank New Growth Press for providing me a review copy of these books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry is one of three new releases in the Good New For Little Hearts series from New Growth Press and CCEF. As a member of a church that is very committed to Biblical Counseling I was very intrigued by this new series. CCEF has produced many quality resources for adults that have been very beneficial to me and countless others. The idea that these same truths would now be made available to kids in story book form had me very excited for their release. The series brings gospel truth to children by "focusing on an animal family's real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus in the midst of challenging circumstances." Jax's Tail Twitches begins with Jax the squirrel reacting in anger because his brother Caspian trips him and beats him to breakfast. At breakfast we are introduced to the rest of Jax's family and shortly will see all of them, except baby Jolie, react to different situations in anger. While collecting nuts for the winter Papa gets angry at a neighbor who is taking nuts from his tree. Caspian continues to pick on Jax and Jax reacts in anger again. During all of the feuding Mama forgets about dinner that is cooking and after discovering that it is burned she is angry too! Jax recognizes that the entire family seems to get angry when they don't get what they want. This leads Papa to recognize everyone's anger and address it with Scripture and prayer. Each family member then ask for forgiveness from the others and Papa also reconciles with his neighbor. The book closes with a section called Helping Your Child With Anger. Here the author gives 9 points from Scripture to further discuss with your children. This is where the biblical counseling influence of CCEF is most clearly seen. This section definitely turns the book into a resource to be used over and over again with your children. There is also a Back Pocket Bible Verse section with Bible verses for kids to carry with them for when they are angry. This is a very nice addition to the book. The illustrations of the book are also very well done. Jax's Tail Twitches is a wonderful resource for parents, teachers, and churches to connect the truths of Scripture with different struggles that children will face. The writing style is engaging, the illustrations are wonderfully done, and the biblical truths are clearly communicated. I would highly recommend this book to any Christian that regularly interacts with young children. I received a copy of this book from New Growth Press in exchange for an honest review.

Jax is a squirrel who lives in a tree with his mom, dad, brother & baby sister. Of the three books, this one contains the most family interaction, as the family is together throughout the whole book. In addition, the entire squirrel family has individual lessons that they are learning outside of just Jax being the focus. Ultimately, they come together as a family and pray for God to forgive and help each of them. It is a powerful moment of humility! Although the book touches on Jax dealing with anger, it also shows how the two brothers learn to get along, Dad realizing he was selfish in not sharing with a neighbor, and Mom blaming the family for a burned dinner that she had forgotten. The family not only works through their issues, but also experiences kindness, generosity and grace from the neighbors. This is a children's book that is packed with many truths and much depth.

At present, there are three volumes in the "Good News for Little Hearts" series which seeks to help kids and parents face anxiety, failure, and anger in a God-honoring way. While these animal stories don't quite have the enduring charm of classics such as the Beatrix Potter books, Little Bear, or Frog and Toad and some conversations between characters seemed to come off a little unnatural (and maybe even a little "preachy") at times, my little ones enjoyed them nonetheless. The volumes are sturdy and full of creative, vibrantly colored illustrations. Each book concludes with Tips for further helping your child and four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" in the New Living Translation that you can cut out and give to your child. Buster's Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail has the clearest Gospel message of the three books, and both it and Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry mention the need for Jesus' forgiveness. I love that these books clearly point our kids to Christ! As far as articulating biblical counseling material, Jax's Tail Twitches seems to have the most content as it models the proper way to handle conflict: going to God in prayer, taking the log out of one's own eye first, asking forgiveness, and being reconciled. Parents will want to make sure to avail themselves of the parent tips at the end for the clearest Gospel presentation in this work. Buster's Ears Trip Him Up came in close but, in addition to confessing sin to God, parents will likely want to follow the example and parent tips in Jax's Tail Twitches and encourage kids to apologize and reconcile with those who have been hurt by their prideful boasting. Altogether, these titles are useful picture books that will serve adults as they seek to minister to children in their lives and help them to better image and glorify their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many thanks to New Growth Press for sending me a complimentary copy! I was not obligated to write a positive review. These words are my honest opinion!

Everybody has been angry at some time or other and I really liked how this book showed that both adults and children can struggle. This is a story about a squirrel family and their neighbors. The pictures are nice and colorful and they went well with the story. My favorite part of the story was its “meat”. At the end there are some helpful notes in discussing anger with children. Some of the things that really stood out and made an impression on me were: -Anger shows that something in our world that matters is not right -We are made in God’s image and like God we experience anger- except He is angry and doesn’t sin These and other points are clear and introduce great topics to discuss with your children. I read this book with my eight year old son and he really liked it. He liked how the topic was addressed, how God’s anger is different from ours, the different ways people were angry, the storyline was enjoyable, and the pictures were interesting. He also said it was a good book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

The entire Good News for Little Hearts series is a wonderful collection of children's books that touches up on real life situations and the best way to handle them as Christians, with faith and grace. Jax's Tail Twitches touches up on ways to deal with anger and even has a lesson on sharing. Buster's Ears Trip Him Up teaches about humility and how to cope with failure. Zoe's Hiding Place discusses fear and anxiousness, and what God says about these things. The illustrations throughout are fantastic! With the turn of each page, not only does the illustrator tell the story with his artwork, but he was also sure to incorporate all kinds of neat and interesting details in the background to really help give each story depth and life. Each book is meant to strike up meaningful conversations between parents and their children as they read about the difficulties the characters face in their own individual situation, and how they learn to live in faith and follow what God's word says. As the plot of each book progresses and the main character comes face to face with a unique challenge, Bible references, prayers, and scripture are introduced to show them what to do next. In turn, this teaches young children how to deal with their own emotions and what to do when all odds seem against them. It's definitely a series that I hope will eventually expand to include additional stories. I received an advanced copy of the book, however all views and opinions are purely my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It not only talks about children getting angry, but adults as well. We let little things grow into big problems that make us angry. Papa squirrel was angry because he felt that his neighbors weren’t following the rules. Jax was angry because Caspian seemed to always win at everything. It made me think of how we let something get hold of us and our anger comes out. Poor Mr. McNuffle was just trying to feed his family, but Papa squirrel didn’t want to share. He was too busy being angry because rules were not being followed. I loved how the book reminds us that there are times we don’t follow God’s word but he doesn’t get angry at us. The book is very well written with gorgeous illustrations. It will be a great book to read to children to teach them about anger. I received this book from New Growth Press and Read With Audra Blog Program.

JAX’S TAIL TWITCHES is a children’s book that is meant to be read with children and their parents or guardians together. Jax is the title character. He’s a squirrel. He becomes upset when his brother, Caspian trips him and beats him to breakfast. Jax’s anger (seen through his tail twitching that day) never lets up all day. Not only that, but it seems to spread from the different members of the family. It’s an important day for them as they have to gather up acorns from their tree to store for the winter, but they all become angry. The family later consults their Bible and sets their hearts right. After the story, the book has some questions for children and adults to discuss together and at the very end of the book are some good Bible verses for children to learn and keep with them.

JAX'S TAIL TWITCHES is a cute story about a squirrel family with greed and anger issues. Everyone in the family except the baby squirrel gets angry at someone and needs to apologize. The father preaches why it is wrong to lose your temper, but he's pretty much the worse of all of them, refusing to share with his neighbors but yet quick to accept when they want to share with him. The illustrations are well down (except the angry squirrel is rather scary looking and may frighten sensitive children). The message is important and the squirrels do discuss truths and why they were wrong to react as they did. A great fall book for your favorite younger -- for Halloween treats or for a Thanksgiving gift or a just because your special to me gift. Would be great for children's libraries at churches, Christian schools, preschools, etc. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own

When I asked my daughter (age 6) what she thought of Jax's Tail Twitches: When You Are Angry, she said she liked it when the two squirrel siblings got angry with each other. That happens in our house, so she could relate to that part. I thought it was good that the book also addressed adults being angry. The characters dealt with their anger in a healthy way: reflection, verbalization, prayer, and conflict resolution with their squirrel neighbors. It ends with character lessons learned and reconciliation. I recommend this book to all families as we all experience anger at some point and this is a great resource for teaching your child to deal with it in a healthy way. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."