Tam Tam Gets Mad

Tam Tam has a bad dream and he makes himself get angry because he doesn't think he should be afraid. Tam Tam takes out his frustration on others, starting with his mother. He carries his bad mood into his second grade classroom until he goes too far, and his bad behavior gets him some attention and intervention.

Tam Tam gets woken up by a bad dream. Startled by the nightmare, he falls out of bed and bumps his head. Frustrated by his feelings after the dream, and thinking he shouldn't be afraid of something like that, Tam Tam turns his fear into anger. His anger makes him lose control of his behaviour and he is mean to his mother and his best friend, Mellie. In his second grade classroom, instead of taking part in one of his favorite activities, Tam Tam sits brooding in his chair until Mellie asks him to participate. This sets him off and forces Mr. Knightly, their teacher, to intervene. Mr. Knightly acknowledges that Tam Tam is not in a good mood and asks him to talk to Mellie - who is a great help. Tam Tam returns to the group activity, everyone has a great time, and Tam Tam makes it up to his mother.

Charles Anderson is a writer, living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. His work includes plays, songs, movies and children's books. Inspiration for his work comes from his family and life experience.