Book Review Best Behavior® 6-Book Box Set (Hands are Not for Hitting, Feet are Not for Kicking, Voices are Not for Yell...

Parenting is a beautiful yet challenging journey, especially when it comes to teaching young children how to navigate emotions, social interactions, and self-control. The Best Behavior® 6-Book Box Set—featuring titles like Hands Are Not for Hitting, Feet Are Not for Kicking, and Voices Are Not for Yelling—is a powerful toolkit for parents, educators, and caregivers looking to instill positive behavior in toddlers and preschoolers.

Written by multiple authors (including Elizabeth Verdick and Marieka Heinlen), this collection is more than just a set of children’s books—it’s a gentle, engaging, and effective guide to raising emotionally intelligent kids. Whether you're dealing with tantrums, aggression, or impatience, these books offer simple yet profound lessons wrapped in colorful illustrations and relatable scenarios.

But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive deep into what makes this box set a standout in early childhood education.

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The 6-book collection covers essential behavioral topics:

1. Hands Are Not for Hitting – Teaches alternatives to hitting (hugging, helping, creating).
2. Feet Are Not for Kicking – Encourages using feet for walking, dancing, and playing gently.
3. Voices Are Not for Yelling – Explains indoor vs. outdoor voices and calm communication.
4. Waiting Is Not Forever – Helps kids cope with patience and delayed gratification.
5. Words Are Not for Hurting – Promotes kindness and the impact of words.
6. Noses Are Not for Picking – A lighthearted yet important lesson on hygiene.

Each book follows a similar structure:

• Simple, rhythmic text that’s easy for kids to follow.
• Bright, expressive illustrations that reinforce the message.
• Interactive elements (questions, prompts) to engage young readers.

The stories don’t follow a traditional narrative but instead present scenarios where children learn cause-and-effect (e.g., yelling scares a pet, kind words make a friend smile).

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Since these books are instructional rather than character-driven, the "characters" are generic children in everyday situations—making it easy for any kid to see themselves in the stories.

• The "Teacher" Tone – The books speak directly to the child, creating a mentor-like voice that guides without scolding.
• Diverse Representation – Illustrations include kids of different races, abilities, and family structures, promoting inclusivity.
• Emotional Growth – Each book models emotional regulation, showing kids how to shift from frustration (hitting, yelling) to positive actions (using words, taking deep breaths).

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The genius of this series lies in its simplicity and repetition—key for young children’s learning.

• Rhythmic, Repetitive Phrasing – Lines like "Hands are not for hitting. Hands are for helping!" stick in kids’ minds.
• Positive Reinforcement – Instead of just saying "Don’t hit," it offers what to do instead, making lessons actionable.
• Interactive Questions – "What can your hands do?" encourages participation.

The illustrations by Marieka Heinlen are vibrant, expressive, and slightly cartoonish, perfect for holding a toddler’s attention.

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While the books seem straightforward, they subtly teach deeper values:

• Empathy & Respect – Words Are Not for Hurting emphasizes how words affect others.
• Self-Regulation – Waiting Is Not Forever introduces coping strategies (counting, deep breaths).
• Body Autonomy – Hands Are Not for Hitting also touches on consent ("I don’t like that—stop!").

These themes make the books great conversation starters for parents and teachers.

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As a parent of a strong-willed 3-year-old, I was skeptical—would these books actually change behavior?

• Immediate Engagement – My child loved the bright pictures and repetitive lines (she now says, "Feet are for dancing!").
• Real Behavioral Shifts – After reading Voices Are Not for Yelling, she started whispering, "Too loud?" when excited.
• Gentle Reminders Work – Instead of scolding, I now say, "Remember what the book says?" and it clicks.

Weaknesses?

• Some kids might outgrow the simplicity by age 5-6.
• A few parents might prefer more story-driven lessons (like Daniel Tiger books).

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Compared to similar books (Teeth Are Not for Biting, Calm-Down Time), this set stands out because:

✅ Covers a wider range of behaviors (hitting, yelling, patience, hygiene).
✅ More visually engaging than some text-heavy alternatives.
✅ Positive framing (not just "don’t," but "do this instead").

However, if you want a single-story narrative, books like The Way I Feel might supplement this set well.

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✔ Parents of Toddlers (Ages 1-4) – Perfect for early behavior shaping.
✔ Preschool Teachers – Great for circle time and social-emotional learning (SEL).
✔ Therapists & Caregivers – Useful for kids with impulse control challenges.

Not ideal for: Older kids (5+) who need more complex storytelling.

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Some standout lines that resonate with kids:

"Hands are for waving, and touching, and clapping!"
"Waiting feels so long… but you can do it!"
"Kind words make people smile. What can you say?"

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The Best Behavior® 6-Book Box Set is one of the most practical, engaging tools for teaching toddlers kindness, patience, and self-control. While it’s not a magic fix, the repetition, positive framing, and interactive style make it highly effective.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A worthy investment for any parent or educator.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

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• Which behavior do your kids struggle with most?
• Have you noticed a change after reading these books?
• What other books would you pair with this set?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your experiences!

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