As a new school year is starting, social emotional learning (SEL) is as important as ever. Introducing a routine of reading SEL books can help support children’s emotional well-being throughout the school year. Parents and educators can read along at home or at school, and engage their kids in meaningful discussions. The books listed below focus on social emotional skills that are especially important for the school year such as motivation, self-confidence, problem-solving, fairness, mindfulness, and empathy. Check out this downloadable template to help guide discussion and reflections, and if you’d like even more SEL book ideas here’s a complementary hand-picked list.

If you are a teacher, you can access our free 14-week SEL read-aloud program with a weekly theme, suggested read-alouds, ready-to-use discussion slides, and a dedicated worksheet. 

Motivation

The Smile that went Around the World, by Patrice Karst

What starts out as a simple gift, soon turns into a chain-reaction of smiles and kindness in this heart-warming story about a smile...that went around the world.

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do, by Ashley Spires

Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she's sure she can't do it. Eventually, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?

How to Catch a Star, by Oliver Jeffers

Once there was a boy, and that boy loved stars very much. So much so that he decided to catch one of his very own. But how? Just when the boy is ready to give up, he learns that sometimes things aren't where, or what, we expect them to be.

Self-confidence and self-compassion

Listening with My Heart: A Story of Kindness and Self-compassion, by Gabi Garcia

When Esperanza finds a heart-shaped rock, she sees it as a reminder to spread kindness and love in the world. But when the school play doesn’t go the way she’d hoped, will she remember to show it to herself?

Tomorrow I'll be Brave, by Jessica Hische

This book reminds readers, tomorrow is another day, full of endless opportunities -- all you have to do is decide to make the day yours.

My Heart, by Corinna Luyken

Some days your heart is a puddle or a fence to keep the world out. But some days it is wide open to the love that surrounds you. This book inspires all readers to listen to the guide within, in this ode to love and self-acceptance.

Problem-solving

What Do You Do With a Problem?, by Kobi Yamada

This is the story of a persistent problem and a child who isn't so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.

Stuck, by Oliver Jeffers

When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it's stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck.

Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems, by Carey Sookocheff

This book takes a sweet and gently humorous look at practical and creative answers for all the little daily problems in one young girl's life, including her exuberant and pesky dog. Will her dog, who starts out as a problem, end up as a solution?

Happiness

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, by Carol McCloud

When we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other's buckets by what we say and what we do. When you're a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!

The Jar of Happiness, by Ailsa Burrows

Is there a recipe for happiness? Meg certainly thinks so. She collects all the necessary ingredients in a jar, which she uses to cheer up her friends and family when they're feeling low. But what happens when her special jar mysteriously disappears? Will Meg feel sad forever more, or will she find other ways to be happy? 

My Heart Fills with Happiness, by Monique Gray

This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.

Mindfulness

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness, by Susan Verde This book is a gentle expression of the tenets of mindfulness, encouraging children to breathe, taste, smell, and be present in the here and now.

A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles, by Thich Nhat Hanh

Pebble meditation is a playful and fun activity that parents and educators can do with their children to introduce them to meditation. It is designed to involve children in a hands-on and creative way that touches on their interconnection with nature. Practicing pebble meditation can help relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude, and can help children deal with difficult emotions.

My Meditations with Wisdom, by Better Kids

This book is designed to help children improve the social emotional competency of mindfulness through meditations and reflections. It includes a variety of meditations for when your children are feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or angry. You can order it here and listen to the audio recordings in the app Wisdom: The World of Emotions. Each meditation is followed by reflection questions that children can complete independently or with the support of an adult. These activities will develop your children’s self-awareness and doing them with others will help them to build positive relationships!

Support systems

The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst

This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us and opens up deeper conversations about love.

That's Me Loving You, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This book captures parents’ desire to be ever-present in this simple and touching poem offering reassurance of their love. Signs of affection can be found in the natural world around us—from a soft breeze to a shimmering star.

It takes a Village, by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

In a story based on the West African proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child," a young girl proudly watches her brother and then realizes that the entire village has been watching them both.

Empathy

I Am Human: A Book of Empathy, by Susan Verde 

This book affirms that we can make good choices by acting with compassion and having empathy for others and ourselves. When we find common ground, we can feel connected to the great world around us and mindfully strive to be our best selves.

You, Me and Empathy: Teaching children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance and recognizing bullying behaviors, by Jayneen Sanders

This story uses verse, beautiful illustrations, and a little person called Quinn to model the meaning of empathy. Throughout the story, Quinn shows an abundance of understanding, compassion, and kindness towards others. Showing empathy towards others is a learned trait and one to nurture and cherish with the children in our care.

Fairness

It's Not Fair!, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal 

Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to. But this delightful and witty book reassures us that everyone, including pigs, planets, and square pegs, sometimes thinks: It's not fair!

New Shoes, by Susan Lynn Meyer 

The realistic oil paintings in this book bring life to this story of a young girl's determination in the face of injustice. The book includes an author's note from Susan Lynn Meyer, discussing the historical context of the story and how the Civil Rights Movement worked to abolish unfair laws like the ones that main character Ella Mae encounters.

Two for Me, One for You, by Jorg Muhle

Bear finds three tasty mushrooms on her way home through the woods. Her friend Weasel cooks them up in the frying pan. But the friends have a problem: how to share three between two?

Independence

Little Bird Visits the Big City, by Domenico Granata 

Little bird is curious to fly beyond the boundaries of his little forest. Though his mother warns him to stay with his friends, Little Bird takes off on his own, looking for adventure. When he arrives in the city he doesn't know what to make of all the noises and the commotion. Before long he's feeling frightened and homesick. Luckily for him, his friends had been checking up on him the whole time. This book shows the universal pull children feel to go off on their own, even as they long to stay tethered to home.

Jacob's Fantastic Flight, by Philip Waechter 

When his parents plan a trip to the sea, Jacob says he will fly there himself. Along the way, he meets new friends and has wonderful adventures. And when his bird friends need help, Jacob and the flock work together to rescue their friend and outsmart the nefarious birdcatcher. This story shows what happens when a child uses their strengths and differences to help others in need. 

The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires

The girl in this story has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing!" But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right. This book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity.

Learning through play

Fort Building Time, by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Winter, spring, summer, fall. Each season brings new materials to make the perfect fort. From leaves to snow, from mud to sand, there is a different fort throughout the year. As a group of friends explore and build through the seasons, they find that every fort they make is a perfect fort.

The Playful Classroom, by Jed Dearybury and Julie Jones

This book describes how teachers can develop a playful mindset for giving students meaningful, relevant and fun learning experiences. This unique real-world guide provides you with everything you need to incorporate engaging, hands-on lessons and creative activities, regardless of the level and subject you teach.

This Beautiful Day, by Richard Jackson

Why spend a rainy day inside? As three children embrace a grey day, they seem to beckon the bright as they jump, splash, and dance outside, chasing the rain away. The day’s palette shifts from greys to a hint of blue, then more blue. Then green! Then yellow! Until the day is a technicolor extravaganza that would make Mary Poppins proud. A joyous homage to the power of a positive attitude.

Learning how to lose

The Golden Acorn, by Katy Hudson

Whoosh! Squirrel takes off at full speed through the autumn leaves. But slam on the brakes, because this year The Golden Nut Hunt race is a team event. Squirrel reluctantly enlists her friends and is not impressed. Will Squirrel's competitive spirit take over or will she learn how to be a team player?

Cheetah Can't Lose, by Bob Shea

It's race day, and once and for all, it's time to determine the better feline: little cats or big cheetah. Cheetah might be bigger, taller, stronger, faster . . . but the little cats have some tricks up their sleeves, so don't count them out!

Creating a positive environment

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed, by Emily Pearson

Can one child's good deed change the world? It can, when she’s Ordinary Mary―an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house―who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world.

The Big Umbrella, by Amy June Bates

By the door, there is an umbrella. It is big. It is so big that when it starts to rain there is room for everyone underneath. It doesn’t matter if you are tall. Or plaid. Or hairy. It doesn’t matter how many legs you have. Don’t worry that there won’t be enough room under the umbrella. Because there will always be room.

Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Miller

When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering: What does it mean to be kind? From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a difference―or at least help a friend.

If you would like to receive SEL activity suggestions for at home and at school along with more read-aloud ideas, sign-up for our bi-weekly SEL newsletter here!

If you are an educator, starting a social emotional learning focused book club is a great opportunity for your own professional, personal growth, and to share ideas with others. Check out our blog for tips on how to start your own SEL book club.

Is your favorite SEL book missing from our list? We’d love to hear your book recommendations, too! Let us know by adding it in the comments.