Picture Books To Boost Social and Emotional Learning Skills
by Trudy Ludwig
I love librarian and author Molly Pearson’s description of picture books as “big ideas in small packages.” Stories are wonderful tools for homes and classrooms to strengthen children’s social and emotional learning (SEL) abilities (i.e., empathy, self-awareness, emotion regulation, problem-solving, and relationship skills).
Why is there such a strong need for these kinds of resources? Research studies show that SEL positively impacts academic performance, supportive relationships, mental wellness, and more. Feel free to use this list as your starting point for picture books that promote SEL skills in your young readers.
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The Rabbit Listened
Buy from:This sweet story shows the importance of being a caring listener when someone feels sad or hurt. Rabbit may not solve little Taylor’s problems, but the bunny helps Taylor get through their hurt by being a comforting, compassionate listener.
(Ages 3 - 5)Buy from: -
The Circles All Around Us
Buy from:This heartwarming story relays the importance of widening your circle of relationships. Connecting with one another in healthy ways is an essential component of social-emotional learning.
(Ages 3 - 5)Buy from: -
Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse
Buy from:This story reminds me of Eleanor Estes’s classic, The Hundred Dresses. Adrian lets his classmates know he has a horse, but Chloe knows it’s not true. Should she call him out on this? Or should she let it go? Young readers will learn that compassion and understanding are more important than judgment.
(Ages 3 - 5)Buy from: -
Danbi Leads the School Parade
Buy from:Readers will become smitten with the adorable protagonist Danbi. As a Korean immigrant living in America, Danbi uses her spunk and imagination to adjust to a new school and make new friends. Danbi learns that when you open your world to others, their world opens to you!
(Ages 3 - 7)Buy from: -
In Our Garden
Buy from:In this beautiful tale of a girl settling into a new city, Millie misses her family’s garden back home. With the help of her school community and neighbors, Millie’s garden proposal takes root and blossoms. In Our Garden shows what we can accomplish with vision, patience, hard work, and collaboration.
(Ages 3 - 7)Buy from: -
Hey, Little Ant
Buy from:A small ant tries to convince a boy not to squish him because he has feelings and a family. The story ends with the reader deciding the fate of the ant: “We’ll leave the kid with the raised-up shoe. What do you think that kid should do?” It’s an excellent opportunity for generating thoughtful discussions about empathy with children!
(Ages 3 - 7)Buy from: -
Where Oliver Fits
Buy from:It can be puzzling for little ones to figure out who their true friends are. Where Oliver Fits shows young readers that fitting in isn’t always the best fit; it’s more important to find friends who accept and appreciate the real you.
(Ages 3 - 7)Buy from: -
Not Enough Lollipops
Buy from:When kind-hearted Alice wins a wagon full of lollipops, sharing them with her classmates becomes more complicated than she expected. This is a playful story about Alice’s moral dilemma and problem-solving strategy. For older kids, Not Enough Lollipops works as an introduction to the scarcity mindset.
(Ages 4 - 7)Buy from: -
Big Feelings
Buy from:The creators behind the New York Times bestseller All Are Welcome collaborated on another fantastic picture book, Big Feelings. This story helps young readers navigate and manage the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
A Walk in the Words
Buy from:This powerful story will inspire young children who find reading difficult. It beautifully illustrates both the challenges and rewards of being a non-mainstream learner.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
Milo Imagines the World
Buy from:A little boy named Milo studies the people around him, imagining what their lives are like. But what if everyone's life is different than he thinks? Milo learns that you really can't know people just by looking at them.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
Just Ask!
Buy from:Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor writes about children with differences and challenges who work together to build a community garden. The reader learns that those children’s differences can also make them interesting and powerful in unique ways. Sotomayor’s story encourages children to Just Ask when they encounter someone who is different from them, but they’re not sure why.
(Ages 4 - 8)Buy from: -
The Year We Learned to Fly
Buy from:This gorgeous picture book is the companion to The Day You Begin by Woodson and López. The Year We Learned to Fly lyrically shares the beauty and power of our minds to lift ourselves up in tough times and imagine a better world.
(Ages 5 - 8)Buy from: -
Come With Me
Buy from:One of the best things we can do for our children is to help them become emotionally resilient in difficult times. Come With Me shows how even little ones can have a positive impact in the face of intolerance and uncertainty.
(Ages 5 - 8)Buy from:
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