Amor and the Great Big NO!a picture book about tantrums, big feelings and the word NO
Every parent knows the day the word NO arrives. Toddler tantrums often start around 2 or 3. Amor and the Great Big NO! is written for ages 3-8, a real story with a cat, a family and a lot of humour, not a worksheet, so children recognise themselves without feeling lectured.
5 calm tips for tantrums and big feelings
- 1
Name the feeling first
"You are really angry that we have to leave." Being understood often lowers the volume.
- 2
Stay close and keep words few
In the middle of a meltdown, a calm voice and presence help more than explanations.
- 3
Offer two small choices
"Red cup or blue cup?" gives a toddler some control without opening every question.
- 4
Talk about it later, with a story
When everyone is calm, reading about a character who says NO makes it easy to ask: "Have you ever felt like Amor?"
- 5
Notice the good moments
Say out loud when your child listens or waits. Kids repeat what gets noticed.
Read-aloud ideas
- Let your child shout the big NO with Amor, then whisper it. Playing with the word takes the heat out of it.
- Ask what Amor could do instead, and act it out together.
- Finish with the free puzzle game on amorstory.se.
Book 2: Amor and the Big Birthday
In short
- Amor and the Great Big NO! is a picture book about a family dinner, a big NO and a curious kitten named Amor.
- It is for children aged 3 to 8 and the grown-ups who read with them.
- It is available in English as a paperback and on Kindle on Amazon.
- The book exists in ten languages, and the English edition has an audiobook.
- Book 2, Amor and the Big Birthday, is available as a paperback and on Kindle.
Questions parents ask
Who is Amor and the Great Big NO! for?
It is for children aged 3-8. It is a story about a child who says a big NO at dinner and a kitten who wants to help.
Can a picture book help with tantrums?
A story can give you and your child a calm way to talk about strong feelings afterwards. It does not replace staying close during the tantrum itself.
When is the best time to read a book about big feelings?
Choose a calm moment, not the middle of a meltdown. Bedtime or a quiet afternoon works well.
Is there a sequel?
Yes. Book 2 is Amor and the Big Birthday, available as a paperback and on Kindle.
Is the book available in other languages?
Yes. Book 1 exists in ten languages, including Swedish, Arabic, German and Spanish.