Books are a powerful way to teach social-emotional learning (SEL) skills! Stories help make abstract concepts more concrete, relatable, and engaging for kids.
The books listed below are some of my personal favorites to use when working with students. Many of them are also intentionally paired with my Tier 1 clssroom classroom counseling lessons to reinforce key skills and concepts we are learning together.
Healthy Friendships
How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown
Personal Space & Self- Control, Boundaries, Consent,
Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook
Let's Talk About Body Boundaries and Consent by Jayneen Saunders
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale
Body Boundaries Make Me Stronger by Elizabeth Cole
Personal Space Invader by Harrison Spader
Rissy No Kissies by Katie Howes
Identity
Becoming Vanessa by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
A Kid's Book About Identity by Taboo
Diversity & Neurodiversity
We're Different, We're the Same by Bobbi Kates
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Same Same, but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki -Shaw
A Friend for Henry by Mika Song
Different Thinkers by Katia Fredrikson
Managing Feelings
Ravi's Roar by Tom Percival
In My Heart by Jo Witek
Little Big Feelings by Deb Mills
The Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Collins
Worry
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Worries Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
Little Big Feelings by Deb Mills
Book list for Children 8-12yrs by various authors
Attention & Focus
Grief, Loss, Family Change
The Invisble String by Patricia Karst
Two Homes by Claire Masurel
The Invisible Leash by Patricia Karst
Empathy & Perspective Taking
Growth Mindset & Perserverance
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak