Discover inspiring books that highlight empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Covering themes like bullying, adversity, special needs, and mental health, our curated selection supports students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) at all reading levels.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
A positive take on new experiences can help kids find their brave selves. This infinitely relatable book teaches children how to be the strongest and boldest versions of themselves to face their fears, and it’s perfect for adding to SEL curriculum.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Aven Green was born without arms, but that hasn’t stopped her from living life to the max. All those unused arm cells went to her brain instead (at least, that’s her theory). As a result, she’s an eight-year-old of many talents. Follow her as she solves mysteries, competes in baking contests, and more, all while navigating third grade.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Inspire awareness, empathy, and kindness in young readers with this series that deals with the many different health conditions their friends and classmates may have. Each title introduces a common condition, such as ADHD, asthma, and diabetes. Common symptoms are explained along with ways the condition may affect children in the classroom.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
A moving tale of friendship that touches on the subject of illness in a way that young children can understand. Everyone likes David, the boy with flowers in his hair. But one day David comes to school wearing a hat, and he is quiet. David’s best friend has an idea – a way to help David get his color back, using paintbrushes and plenty of love.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
A child tries to understand the life of a man he has seen sleeping under a bridge. The boy’s mother patiently answers his questions and explains how people’s life paths can be very different. The child observes the things he has in common with the man and wonders where his own path will lead.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
What should we do when things don’t go according to plan? We may feel mad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, but by talking it through, compromising, and seeing another point of view, we can start fresh and begin anew. This picture book will help children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Other Vikings love to holler, howl, battle, and brawl, while Leif prefers spending time by himself atop the beautiful fjord. But when it’s time for the Viking Games, everyone must participate. Will Leif let down his clan or surprise them? Best-selling author Laura Gehl reminds readers to stay true to themselves and to look at things from a new perspective.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Part of the Taking Care of Myself series, Mental Health explains the importance of mental health and how children can maintain it through connecting with others, expressing their feelings, and more. The book includes easy-to-read text and vibrant photos, making it a great choice for beginning readers.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Written for emergent readers, kids will love these two best friends, Phoenix and Goose. Charming illustrations bring them to life in stories about friendship that young children will be able to relate to. Every book also includes a page for caregivers and teachers that suggests guiding questions to help with reading comprehension.
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Whether it’s self or social awareness, relationship or self-management skills, these fine books from PYRG have your students’ needs covered! Social emotional guidance makes for better people, family, school, and community while allowing kids to be all that they can be. Dive in, why don’t you?
Interest Level: Lower Elementary
Welcome to Ms. Silver’s class, where readers will join a cast of magical characters learning to navigate the world around them. This series makes social and emotional Learning fun and relatable for every student. Young learners will enjoy these colorful graphic novels while learning strategies for managing emotions.
Interest Level: Lower and Upper Elementary
Nurture emotional growth with our social and emotional learning titles! The What I Value series introduces young readers to important values and the impact they have on individuals, families, and communities. The Be Your Best series helps children in Grades 3-6 build confidence and develop strong, positive mindsets.
Interest Level: Upper Elementary
Now available in large print format. Mia Tang is going for her dreams! After years of hard work, Mia finally gets to go on vacation with her family – to China! As she roams around Beijing, witnessing some of the big changes China’s going through, Mia thinks about the changes in her own life and is more determined than ever to get through the turbulence.
Interest Level: Middle School
In this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, best-selling middle grade novel Out of My Mind, a young girl with cerebral palsy faces her fears at summer camp. Melody loves horses, but she has always been afraid of them. She hopes camp will be a welcoming place for her to follow her passion and conquer her fears in her own time.
Interest Level: YA/Reading Level 2.3 (hi-lo)
Develop students’ emotional intelligence with this hi-lo flip book. Emotional Intelligence is part of a five-book set on soft skills that was created for young adults reading at the most basic level. Elements of emotional intelligence in everyday life are explored alongside a fictional story to help readers contextualize the lesson.