I Really Want to Shout

I Really Want to Shout is the latest in the 'I Really Want to...' series by Simon Philip and illustrator Lucia Gaggiotti. In this story, we follow the little girl as she struggles to control her emotions and anger. Instantly, it is easy to relate to the character as she encounters many infuriating experiences...some of which brought flashbacks to my own childhood. Everything from having to eat her greens to dealing with confrontations in the playground bring her to want to shout.

This urge and outburst of emotions leads to the adults in her life having to reprimand her and it seems to her that life is just not fair. However, a new friend starts to show the little girl that when our anger and emotions start to bubble up inside us, it is best to draw our feelings out. To sketch them, paint them, colour them so we can see them with our eyes. This advice is well received...until the girl uses it in the wrong place!

It seems that the girl will never get to grips with how she is feeling and begins to bottle it all up. As adults, we know the danger of this and luckily for the little girl, her dad is on hand to give her the answer she has been craving....that it is OK to let your anger out in the right way. We then see the strong paternal bond between the two as he comforts her.

Simon Philip has created a text that using rhyme to engage the listener but also allows the reader to tell the story with an easy pace and flow. The repetition of a similar phrase to the title can allow for audience participation. The story itself is longer than I was expecting from this picture book but there is a clear journey and you feel committed to helping the little girl by finishing the story. Lucia Gaggiotti has provided bright, vibrant and comic style illustrations that prove to be just as engaging the story they accompany.

I would recommend this text to any teacher or school worker within the EYFS and Primary age range. The story is easy to follow and read but delivers that all important message regarding controlling and identifying your emotions. This is a key objective within the PHSE curriculum and is always the subject of circle times throughout the year. Using this book as a hook, a lesson could easily be planned and delivered. I can also imagine art work being completed around the idea of bottling emotions. Overall, a really useful addition to the PHSE section of a class or school library.

Picture book / Ages 3+ / Reviewed by Kyle Matravers, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+