Zola and the Big Mad

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A LITTLE FRUSTRATION TURNS INTO A VERY BIG MAD?

Zola is building something amazing.

She is carefully creating the tallest tower she can make, one block at a time. Higher and higher it goes.

Then suddenly...!!!

CRASH!

The tower falls.

Zola is furious.

She feels a powerful anger she has never experienced before. Her face gets hot, her feelings become enormous and she doesn't know how to make the big mad go away.

Dad comes to help.

Instead of telling Zola that she shouldn't be angry, he helps her understand what is happening. Zola learns that anger is a real feeling, but feelings don't have to decide what we do next.

With Dad's help, Zola begins to slow down, breathe, talk about what happened and give herself time to calm down.

Eventually, the big mad becomes smaller.

And once Zola feels calmer, she can think about what happened, rebuild and find her happiness again.

Zola and the Big Mad is a gentle story about anger, frustration, emotional regulation and learning what to do when feelings become overwhelming.

This story helps children understand that:

• Anger is a normal emotion
• Frustration can sometimes turn into a very big feeling
• We can notice anger without acting hurtfully
• Taking time to calm down can help us think clearly
• Trusted adults can help children navigate difficult emotions
• Feelings change, even when they feel very big
• After calming down, we can try again

Perfect for preschoolers learning to manage frustration and strong emotions, Zola and the Big Mad gives parents and caregivers a simple, reassuring way to begin conversations about anger and calming down.

Part of Zola's Big Adventures, the series follows Zola through the many feelings, challenges, relationships and discoveries that shape childhood.

Sometimes the tower falls. Sometimes the feelings fall with it. And sometimes we learn how to build again.