Social Emotional Learning

Updated February 29, 2024
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Sometimes I cry
Townes, Jess
Paper Book
From Jess Townes with illustrations by Daniel Miyares, this poignant picture book deftly tackles the wide array of emotions experienced in childhood, and especially reminding readers that there's nothing wrong with crying. Sometimes I cry . . . when I'm angry.<...
Ruby finds a Worry
Percival, Tom
Paper Book
What do you do when a worry won't leave you alone? This beloved picture book from the Big Bright Feelings series is perfect for reassuring young readers in times of stress. Meet Ruby-a happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's...
You go first
Bernstein, Ariel
Paper Book
In the spirit of Mo Willems and Ben Clanton, this "extremely funny and spot-on sensitive" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book shows how a good friend can become even better by trying new things and putting others first. Cat and Duck are very good friends and play...
Not enough lollipops
Maynor, Megan
Paper Book
Alice thinks it's her lucky day when she wins a wagon full of lollipops, but sharing them with her classmates is more complicated than it seems. Can she find a fair way to divvy up the sweets? When Alice wins an enormous basket of lollipops in the raffle she's happy to share her...
The day you begin
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to...
All are welcome
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom! In our classroom safe and sound. Fears are lost and...
The noise inside boys : a story about big feelings
Oswald, Pete
Paper Book
Pete Oswald, the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and father of three sons unravels the confusing emotions inside boys today against the backdrop of a day at the beach. When two older brothers tease their younger brother, overwhelming feelings surface, along with...
It's only one!
Corderoy, Tracey
Paper Book
Sunnyville is perfect. It twinkles with total loveliness. Until Rhino drops a toffee wrapper! "What? It's only one!" he says. Soon things are messier, noisier and a WHOLE LOT grumpier! Can anyone save the day?  The perfect book to teach kids that a little care for your local...
Nook
Garland, Sally Anne
Paper Book
Nook is small and shy, and she likes to sit in the cozy, comfy space of a hollow tree watching others play. When someone comes along to take Nook's space, she feels lost and afraid, until she discovers she has friends looking out for her in ways she never imagined! This gentle story explores shyness...
What happened to you?
Catchpole, James
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar?...
Give
Arena, Jen
Paper Book
A gorgeous and powerful book about how simple acts of kindness can change the world. Pay It Forward. Random Acts of Kindness. The Golden Rule. Choose Kind. As parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we hope to teach children compassion, kindness, and selflessness...
I feel! : a book of emotions
Medina, Juana
Paper Book
Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Juana Medina helps young readers to identify how they feel with bold, colorful illustrations and simple text in this paper-over-board picture book, the third book in the I WILL! series. Do you feel happy? Sad? Calm? Shy? Brave? Proud? ...
The bad seed
John, Jory
Paper Book
There is a bad seed. A baaaaaaaad seed. How bad Do you really want to know He lies about pointless stuff. He cuts in line. Every time. And he does LOTS of other bad things too. But what happens when a bad seed doesn't want to be bad anymore Can a...
Shy Willow
Min, Cat
Paper Book
Willow is shy. VERY shy. Her home is in an abandoned mailbox, and she'd rather stay put. Outside kids scream and soccer balls collide, trees look like monsters, and rain is noisy in a scary kind of way. It's much nicer to stay inside, drawing. But then a young boy drops a letter in...
Superluminous
De Haes, Ian
Paper Book
Nour loves the luminous glow she was born with, but it's only when it starts to dim that she discovers the true power of her brilliant light. Nour has a superpower: she glows. Her light shines so bright, she feels like a star in the night sky. But when kids at school notice her glow, they...
If you plant a seed
Nelson, Kadir
Paper Book
The bestselling book about the power of one kind act from Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winner Kadir Nelson. "Timeless and delectable."--School Library Journal If you plant a carrot seed . . . a carrot will grow. If you plant a cabbage seed . . . cabbage will...
A small kindness
McAnulty, Stacy
Paper Book
Teach the importance of goodwill with this impactful picture book with a solid pay-it-forward message to encourage kindness in young children--from the award-winning author of Excellent Ed and Sun! One In a Billion. It was like a game of tag, with...
Be kind
Miller, Pat Zietlow
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! "These days, it seems more important than ever for books to show young people how to act with thoughtfulness, civility, and kindness." --The New York Times Book Review When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her...
Something, someday
Gorman, Amanda
Paper Book
The stunning new picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson. You're told that This won't work, But how will you know If you never try? Presidential...
Simon and the better bone
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
Using the same innovative format as his Caldecott Honor winner, Mel Fell, Corey R. Tabor reimagines Aesop's "The Dog and His Reflection" in a clever, charming tale of empathy and generosity.  One day, down by the pond, Simon meets another dog just like him.  And that dog...
Pass it on
Henn, Sophy
Paper Book
A joyful and uplifting picture book about finding happiness in the smallest of things, from picture book star Sophy Henn - World Book Day illustrator and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
The rabbit listened
Doerrfeld, Cori
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A moving and universal picture book about the power of listening to show empathy and kindness, sure to soothe heartaches big and small. ONE OF THE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, Time, The Wall...
The kindest red : a story of hijab and friendship
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Paper Book
Group hug
Reidy, Jean
Paper Book
Age range 3 to 6 There once was a slug needing someone to hug.Along came a beetle, a lonely ol' bug."You need a hug? I have one," said Slug, "to keep your heart snug!" As more and more sad-looking animals come along they are each invited to join the group hug which...
Out of a jar
Marcero, Deborah
Paper Book
This highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed and bestselling picture book In a Jar stars one little bunny dealing with some very big feelings. Llewellyn does not like to feel afraid or sad, angry, lonely, or embarrassed. And so he comes up with a brilliant...
Where happiness begins
Eland, Eva
Paper Book
Are you looking for happiness? Sometimes it can feel really far away, and sometimes you might have so much you can't help but share. You can try to chase it, control it or capture it, but even if it seems like it's gone for a while, you'll know it's never far away... This is the second of Eva Eland...
The bright side
Otis, Chad
Paper Book
This endearing picture book about making the most of any situation is also a heartfelt and meaningful portrait of houselessness that's just right for young children. Sometimes it's hard to stay positive- when you live in an old school bus instead of a normal house; when you have...
Otter carries on
Tatsukawa, Maya
Paper Book
In this gentle and encouraging picture book, an independent Otter learns to ask for help after getting lost at sea. Otter loves floating and collecting pretty, heavy rocks all by themself. When a storm comes, Otter has so many rocks that they can't swim home--and soon, they're...
Letters to live by : an alphabet book with intention
Riddiough, Lisa Frenkel
Paper Book
A social-emotional concept picture book that teaches readers the power of setting intentions and embracing mindfulness in our everyday. Appreciate art, become brave, and choose compassion. Pairing big ideas like generosity, respect, and joy with the letters of...
When sadness is at your door
Eland, Eva
Paper Book
A comforting primer in emotional literacy and mindfulness that suggests we approach the feeling of sadness as if it is our guest. Sadness can be scary and confusing at any age! When we feel sad, especially for long periods of time, it can seem as if the sadness is a part of who...
The color monster : a story about emotions
Llenas, Anna
Paper Book
Unpack feelings using color with this bestselling character who helps young readers identify emotions and feel more in control.   One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad...
I Need a Hug Hb
Blabey, Aaron.
Paper Book
All this little porcupine wants is a hug. But with such prickly spikes, will she ever get the cuddle she craves? A truly adorable tale from the best-selling creator of Pig the Pug and Thelma the Unicorn. 24-pp hardcover.
Smile ; Cry
McCartney, Tania
Paper Book
A fun, flip-over picture book for children that reads from both front and back. 'Smile Cry' is an innovative picture book for young kids, showcasing the full emotional range of their formative years. Readers' follow three adorable characters -- piglet, bunny and cat -- as they react emotionally to a...
Grumpy Bird
Tankard, Jeremy
Paper Book
The debut book of Jeremy Tankard's high-flying Bird series!Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play -- too grumpy even to fly. "Looks like I'm walking today," says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon,...
The frustrating book!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
From Mo Willems, creator of the revolutionary, award-winning, best-selling Elephant & Piggie books, comes this breakout beginning-reader series, Unlimited Squirrels. An ensemble cast of Squirrels, Acorns, and pop-in guests hosts a page-turning extravaganza. Each book features a...
Search your feelings
Glass, Calliope
Paper Book
Happy, hopeful, lonely, sad, excited, anxious, guilty mad.  The galaxy is an emotional place. Feelings are still felt way out there in space. You are not alone, so don't be blue. Just search your feelings. You know it to be true!...
How do dinosaurs say I'm mad?
Yolen, Jane
Paper Book
R-O-A-R! What happens when little dinosaurs get mad? And how do they calm down?Brimming with humor, this sparkling new book handles a timeless children's topic with wit and wisdom. Romp and stomp! Roar and slam! Almost everyone gets angry. But how can young dinosaurs also learn to calm down, take a...

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