Resource List: Recommended Children's Booklist
Children's Books on Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Children's literature can be a powerful tool for supporting children's social and emotional development. Books provide children with the language to name their feelings, as well as an opportunity to talk about their emotions.
This curated resource list first started from a grant from CKNW Orphan's Fund in the Spring of 2015. The following list organizes the titles by the six domains, each title could easily fit into one or more areas. These titles are also a natural fit with the rest of our curriculum collection which features resources that support inclusivity, multiculturalism and diversity. Early Chlidhood Educators and other who support families and children in their work are welcome to borrow from our collection available at the Westcoast Early Learning Library. Please click to download a printable PDF.
- Cool Down and Work Through Anger
By: Cheri J. Meiners
This book is designed to help children understand angry feelings and gives suggestions for coping with angry feelings. - Glad Monster, Sad Monster: A Book About Feelings
By: Ed Emberley & Anne Miranda
This book shows monsters experiencing various emotions and gives examples of the things that make them feel that way. Each emotion is represented as a mask which can be detached, used, and then stored in a pocket at the back of the book. - The Great Big Book of Feelings
By: Mary Hoffman
This book explores all kinds of feelings from joy to curiosity to jealousy and anger. It includes clear examples of various emotions and ideas for how to show feelings, or to make oneself feel better when overcome with a particular feeling. - Lots Of Feelings
By: Shelley Rotner
A photographic concept book that emphasizes the feelings that people have in common. - Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
By: Jamie Lee Curtis
A child's emotions run from silliness to anger to excitement, colouring and changing each of her days. - When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry…
By: Molly Bang
Lots of people get angry, and they cope with their anger if different ways. Sophie runs out and climbs her favourite tree to calm herself. - And Two Boys Booed
By Judith Viorst.
A boy becomes increasingly more anxious about performing in the school talent show but manages his emotions and performs anyway. - On Monday When It Rained
By Cherryl Katchenmeister.
Black and white photographs of young boy’s facial expressions are accompanied by text describing how the various emotions he feels throughout the days. - Willow’s Whispers
By Lana Button.
Willow’s voice, as soft and shy as a secret, goes unheard at school. After a night of wishing for a bigger voice Willow comes up with an idea: a magic microphone! - Wild Feelings
By David Milgrim
Do you ever feel as stubborn as a mule? Or as chicken as a chicken? Of course you do. Everyone does. This is a loving look at the normal and natural feelings we all have. - The Feelings Book
By Todd Parr
The vibrantly illustrated book encourages readers to embrace the wide range of emotions we all experience. - I’m Not Scared Book
By Todd Parr
With colourful illustrations and inclusive storytelling, the author promotes an essential message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible. - Big Feelings
By Alexandra Penfold
The book helps children navigate the emotional challenges they face in their daily lives. What should we do when things don’t go to plan? We may feel a lot of emotions, but by talking it through, compromising, and seeing another point of view, we can start fresh and begin anew. - Angry Me
By Sandra V. Feder
A young child tells us what makes her angry and how she tried to let the anger come and go. An artful starting point for conversations about strong feelings. She tries to remember to use her words – even though that doesn’t always work. - When I Feel Angry
By Cornelia Spelman
Join bunny rabbit and her family as she learns to manage angry feelings. With a focus on identifying the causes of an emotional reaction and coming up with ways to start feeling calm and happy again, this book explains simple strategies to help kids understand and take care of their emotions. - The Way I Feel
By Janan Cain
Fun illustrations and rhyming text portray children experiencing a range of emotions, including frustration, shyness, jealousy, and pride. - Yesterday I Had the Blues
By Jeron Ashford Frame
A young boy ponders a variety of emotions and how different members of his family experience them, from his own blues to his father’s grays and his grandmother’s yellows. - Under the Same Sky
By Britta Teckentrup
There are so many kinds of people in the world, in so many different places. But we all share the same emotions, hopes, and dreams, and we all engage in the same activities to find joy in our lives. - The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh
By Supriya Kelkar
Harpreet Singh has a different colour for every mood and occasion. But when Harpreet’s mom finds a new job in a snowy city and they must move, all he wants is to be invisible. Will he ever feel a happy sunny yellow again? - F is For Feelings
By Goldie Millar
This alphabet book teaches young children about feelings and the idea that all emotions are natural and important. A section in the back provides tips and activities for parents, teachers, and caregivers to reinforce the book’s themes and lessons. - Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses
By James Dean
Pete the Cat wakes up feeling frumpy – nothing seems to be going his way. But with the help of some magic sunglasses, Pete learns that a good mood has been inside him all along. - When Sophie’s Feelings are Really, Really Hurt
By Molly Bang
Sophie is hurt when the other children laugh at her painting of her favourite tree – but when she explains her painting, everybody understand what she was trying to do. - In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
By Jo Witek
With charming text, whimsical illustrations, and irresistible die-cut heart that extends through the book, it will not only help your little one understand their feelings. The lyrical language will help to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions. - When You Are Brave
By Pat Zietlow Miller
An inspiring picture book affirmation about having courage even in difficult times, because some days, when everything around you seem scary, you have to be brave. A young girl feels small, quiet and alone. But she breathes deeply and looks inside herself a hidden spark of courage appears. - Cool Down and Work Through Anger
By Cheri J. Meiners
Children learn that it’s okay to feel angry – but not okay to hurt anyone with actions or words. This book provides concrete skills for children to learn to work through their anger.
- Being Fair
By: Cassie Mayer
This book gives a definition of fair behaviour and examples of how to act fairly. It presents everyday situations that are fair or unfair with simple text and illustrations and provides an opportunity to discuss these concepts. - It’s Not Fair
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Life doesn't always go as we’d like, and this book shows that everyone, including pigs, planets and square pegs sometimes think that life's not fair. - Not Fair, Won’t Share
By Sue Graves.
On Monday morning Miss Clover unveils the new Space Station in the classroom! Miss Clover tells the children they must share and take turns but sharing proves very difficult and hurt feelings and anger soon follow. Will the children be able to calm down and work it out? - Talk And Work It Out
By Cheri J. Meiners.
A young child talks about the process of peaceful conflict resolution in clear, simple words with supporting illustrations. - “I Have A Little Problem,” Said The Bear
By Heinz Janisch.
Bear has a problem, and everyone he meets has the solution. The trouble is, they’re all in such a hurry to help that they have no time to listen and find out what Bear’s problem is. - Swimmy
By Leo Lionni
A little fish survives being swallowed by a tuna then devises a plan to camouflage himself and his new companions. - Willow Finds A Way
By Lana Button
All the girls want to go to Kristabelle’s fantastic birthday party so they go along with all of her demands on the playground. When Willow’s bossy classmate un-invites some children from the party, Willow finds the strength to speak up. - I Can Be Fair
By David Parker
Children take an important step when they recognize and accept that they should treat others as they would like to treat themselves. - Anything Is Possible
By Giulia Belloni
Two traditional enemies, a sheep and a wolf, collaborate to build a flying machine. With perseverance and ingenuity, they prove that even the most improbable dreams can be made real.
- Accept and Value Each Person
By: Cheri J. Meiners
With simple text and illustrations, this book introduces diversity and related concepts: respecting differences, finding similarities, being inclusive, and appreciating people the way they are. - Cleversticks
By: Bernard Ashley.
Ling Sung feels he can’t do the things some of the other children in his daycare can do. He decides he does not like daycare until he discovers that he can do something extra special which no-one else can do. - It's Okay To Be Different
By Todd Parr.
This book aims to enhance self-esteem and self-confidence and advises us to embrace our individuality and accept others as they are. - The Name Jar
By Yangsook Choi.
When Unhei moves from Korea to the US her classmates have difficulty pronouncing her name. Will Unhei decide to choose a new name? - The Skin You Live In
By Michael Tyler.
It's great to be YOU in your wonderful skin, no matter which hue, you are still you. You’re the feelings that start from deep in your heart and you’re more than you seem, all your hopes and your dreams. - We All Have Different Abilities
By Melissa Higgins.
Photos and basic text explore the diversity of cultures, appearances, abilities, and family compositions across our community. - The Best Part Of Me: Children Talk About Their Bodies In Pictures And Words
By Wendy Ewald.
Photographs and original poems by fifteen children illustrate how they each perceive their own bodies and themselves. - Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle
By Carole Lindstrom.
Friends and family do not initially understand why young Metisse insists on playing her fiddle for Grandmother’s birthday since ‘everyone’ knows girls are supposed to dance and leave the fiddling to the boys. With the support of her grandfather, Metisse embraces the rhythm of her tradition and culture while playing the fiddle. - Morris Micklewhite And The Tangerine Dress
By Christine Baldacchio.
Morris loves the way the tangerine dress at school swishes and crinkles when he wears it. The other children don't understand at first, but eventually they accept his choice. - My Name Is Yoon
By Helen Recorvits.
Disliking her name as written in English, Korean-born Yoon, or ‘shining wisdom’, refers to herself as ‘cat’, ‘bird’, and ‘cupcake’, as a way to feel more comfortable in her new school and community. - My Princess Boy
By Cheryl Kilodavis.
One little boy loves to dress in pink and wear a tiara and his family loves him exactly the way he is. - Suki's Kimono
By Chieri Uegaki.
Suki’s favourite thing is her blue cotton kimono. A gift from her obachan, it holds special memories of her grandmother. And she intends to wear it on the first day of school—no matter what anyone says. - One World, One Day
By Barbara Kerley.
Beautiful photos of children going through their day, and all their similarities and differences. - 10,000 Dresses
By Marcus Ewert.
Bailey longs to wear the beautiful dresses of her dreams but is ridiculed by her unsympathetic family who reject her true perception of herself. Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is inspired by Bailey’s imagination and courage. - Yoko
By Rosemary Wells.
Yoko is proud of the sushi her mother has painstakingly prepared for her lunch until her classmates tease her about it. - I Like Who I Am
By Tara White.
Celina is a young Mohawk girl who is bullied because she doesn’t look like her classmates. She chooses to dance no matter what her classmates think. - The Big Umbrella
By Amy June Bates & Juniper Bates
A spacious umbrella welcomes everyone and anyone who need shelter from the rain. It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, tall or short.
- Enemy Pie
By Derek Munson.
Hoping that the special pie his father bakes will help him get rid of his enemy, a boy finds that instead it helps him make a new friend. - Friends To The End For Kids: The True Value Of Friendship
By Bradley Trevor Greive.
A combination of humorous photos of animals and text which reinforce the values of friendship: love, loyalty, and fun. - Friendship Is Like A Seesaw
By Shona Innes.
This book explores friends at their best—as well as friendships that are ‘out of balance’, and gives suggestions for re-balancing relationships. - How To Be A Friend: A Guide To Making Friends And Keeping Them
By Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown.
There are many ways to show you want to be a friend. This book provides advice on the following: how to choose friends, how to show someone you'd like to be their friend, how to handle bosses and bullies, the best ways to be a friend and ways NOT to be a friend, and ways to settle an argument with a friend. - Every Buddy Counts
- By Stuart J. Murphy.
A sleepy child cheers herself up by counting her buddies. - You Are Friendly
By Todd Snow.
This book describes ways to be friendly such as sharing, being gentle, and asking others to join in the play. - Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
By Mem Fox.
Wilfrid is a small boy who has a big name - and that's why he likes Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper, because she has a long name too. When Wilfrid finds that Miss Nancy has lost her memory, he determines to discover what memories are so he can return it to her. A warm and delightful book about inter-generational friendship. - Mr. Happy & Miss Grimm
By Antonie Schneider.
Miss Grimm is not pleased by her new neighbour’s cheery behaviour, but Mr. Happy knows that with kindness and patience anything can grow—even friendship. - Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents The Way Of The Ninja
By David Burns.
Ninja decides his friends are too boring and strikes out on his own to find adventure, only to remember that the greatest thrills are the ones shared with friends. - Noni Says No
By Heather Hartt-Sussman.
Noni learns that she can stand up for herself and still be a good friend. - My Friend And I
By Lisa Jahn-Clough.
When a little boy moves in next door a lonely child learns how to share and handle the challenges of friendship. - Ten Thank-You Letters
By Daniel Kirk.
This funny friendship story shows how different personalities can manage to fit together perfectly. Pig just wants to take his time to write a thank you letter but Rabbit gets so caught up in the project that he uses all the paper and stamps. Fortunately, Rabbit’s final thank-you letter reminds Pig how lucky he is to have Rabbit as his friend. - Boo Hoo Bird
By Jeremy Tankard.
This book for toddlers asks the question, “What makes your boo-boos feel better?” A little bird’s friends assess his injury and provide the best care they can to make his boo-boos better. - Please Don’t Eat Me
By Liz Climo
When bunny is approached by a bear in the wood, bunny has just one request: “Please don’t eat me.” With bear’s never-ending list of requests, bunny realizes maybe bear isn’t as hungry as he seems, and maybe he just wants company for a while. - This is Our House
By Michael Rosen
George won’t let any of the other children into his cardboard box house, but when the tables are turned, he finds out how it feels to be excluded. The little makes a big discovery – that letting everyone into his playhouse is a lot more fun than keeping them out. - Mr. Gumpy’s Outing
By John Burningham
Everyone who wants to come along is welcome to join Mr. Gumpy in his boat, so long as they behave properly. All goes well until the goat kicks…the outing comes to an inevitable but not unhappy, conclusion. - Wibbly Pig’s Silly Big Bear
By Mick Inkpen
Wibbly Pig has a new friend – a bear so BIG, he can hardly fit on the page. He doesn’t know how to do simple things like brush his teeth, comb his hair, or use a spoon but he can do some other important ones. And Wibbly loves him just the same!A picture book that shows it is what’s inside that matters.
- If You Plant A Seed
Written and illustrated By Kadir Nelson.
This beautifully illustrated book follows two animal friends as they plant a vegetable garden and learn that seeds of compassion and generosity grow as well as carrots, while the seeds of selfishness grow a heap of trouble. - Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide To Daily Happiness For Kids
By Carol McCloud.
This book attempts to show children how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis. - How Full Is Your Bucket? For kids
By Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer.
In this story, filling one’s bucket is a metaphor for encouraging kind and considerate behaviour and for teaching the benefits of positive relationships. Felix notices that every interaction he has with others either fills or empties his bucket, and that everything he does and says fills or empties the buckets of those around him. - Magic Little Words
By Angele Delaunois.
This book distills the big ideas behind some common courtesy words such as “Welcome: I open my heart and home to you.” - My Mouth Is A Volcano!
By Julia Cook.
All of Louis’ thought are very important to him and when he has something to say it erupts and interrupts others. When others begin to interrupt Louis, he learns to respectfully wait his turn. - Please, Mr. Panda
By Steve Antony.
Panda has brought doughnuts for the group, but no one seems to know how to ask for them politely. - The Happy Owls
By Celestino Piatti.
All the other birds wonder why the owls are so happy, so they send the peacock to ask them. But they are unable to understand the answer to their question—how could anyone be happy simply to see the rain and sunshine? - How To
By Julie Morstad.
With sparse text and whimsical illustrations this book explores imaginative ways of completing a host of activities from ‘how to wonder’ and ‘how to feel the breeze’ to ‘how to be brave’. Ultimately, the book suggests that we can choose to be on a path to self-fulfillment and happiness. - Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes
By Eric Litwin.
Pete the cat just keeps on smiling no matter what he steps in. - The Farmer And The Clown
By Marla Frazee.
A textless picture book about a farmer who rescues a baby clown who has ‘bounced’ off a circus train. The farmer cares for the child, and then reunites the baby clown with his family. This is a story about doing the kind thing, the right thing, no matter how unprepared you may feel. Despite their differences, the farmer opens his home to the little clown until he can be reunited with his family. - How To Heal A Broken Wing
By Bob Graham.
When Will finds a bird with a broken wing he takes it home and cares for it, hoping in time it will be able to fly again. Stunning pictures with sparse but powerful text. - What Does It Mean To Be Kind?
- By Rana DiOrio
A girl is kind to a new student and her actions create a chain-reaction of caring. - Loving Kindness
By Deborah Underwood
Loving Kindness encourage us to be tender with ourselves and others, and to open our hearts to the world. This vibrant picture book celebrates connection, compassion, and life. - Kindness Grows
By: Britta Teckentrup
It all starts with a crack that we can hardly see. It happens when we shout or if we disagree. Angry words cause a crack to open up and widen but find out what happens when kindness begins to blossom in this thought-provoking peek-through picture book. - Be Kind
By Pat Zietlow Miller
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. Form asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference or at least help a friend. - Stone Soup
By Jon J. Muth
Retell of a folktale, three hungry strangers passing through town and were denied food by the villages. They come up with a clever idea of making soup from stones. Everyone brings what they have, until together, they have enough to make a feast for all. The story shows the strength people possess when they work together. - Tico and the Golden Wing
By: Leo Lionni
Tico, a little bird born without wings, is one day granted dearest wish. But the wings he gets are made of gold and his bird friends turn against him. This book shares what Tico does with his golden feathers and the important lesson he learns. - Tico and the Golden Wing
By: Leo Lionni
Tico, a little bird born without wings, is one day granted dearest wish. But the wings he gets are made of gold and his bird friends turn against him. This book shares what Tico does with his golden feathers and the important lesson he learns. - Peace Is An Offering
By Annette LeBox.
Follows neighborhood kids as they find love in everyday things such as sunlight shining through leaves and cookies shared with friends.
- If Kids Ran The World
By Leo Dillon
In simple words and colourful illustrations, the book talks about how wonderfully different the world would be if children ran the world. By extending a helping hand, anything is possible, a better and peaceful world where everyone had enough food, shelter, medicine, and education. - The Invisible Boy
By Trudy Ludwig.
Brian has always felt invisible in school, but when a new student arrives, everything changes. This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish.
- Big Red Lollipop
By Rukhasa Khan
Rubina has been invited to her first American birthday party, but her mother insists she brings along her little sister. This story offers a compassionate and humorous look at the challenges two sisters face in new culture and offers an opportunity to talk about forgiveness and challenges of family life that affect all children.
- Those Shoes
By Maribeth Boelt
A young boy realizes that the things he has—warm boots, a loving grandmother, and a good friend, are worth more than the things he wants. - Alfie and the Big Boys
By Shirley Hughes
Alfie is in awe of the rough and tumble grade schoolboys next door, but he begins to understand that even big boys need help sometimes. - The Smallest Girl In The Smallest Grade
By Justin Roberts.
Hardly anyone notices young Sally McCabe, the smallest girl in the smallest grade, yet she notices everything from the twenty seven keys on the janitor’s key-ring to the bullying going on in the playground. One day Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. - Understand and Care
By Cheri J. Meiners
Empathy is key to positive, healthy relationships. This book helps children to understand that other people have feelings like theirs – and different from theirs. It guides children to show they care by listening to others and respecting their feelings. - Each Kindness
By Jacqueline Woodson
When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson kindness, Chloe realized that she and her friends have been wrong in making fun of new student, Maya’s, shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.
- What Does It Mean To Be Present?
By Rana DiOrio.
This refreshing, vibrant picture book engages all of the senses to demonstrate the myriad ways a child can seize the moment. The story sparks meaningful discussions about the important gift of appreciation and advises children and adults alike to live more fully and richly. - All In A Day
By Cynthia Rylant.
This book invites children of all ages to appreciate one day as a perfect piece of time in which to live fully. - Blue On Blue
By Dianne White.
Rhyming text and beautiful illustrations depict the swell and quieting of a storm. - Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda
By Lauren Alderfer.
Monkey asks Panda what he does to seem so happy and peaceful all the time. Panda replies that he brings his attention to whatever he is doing at a given time--whether eating, walking, or resting. - Silence
By Lemniscates.
Simple text encourages the reader to be silent and listen for as many sounds as can be heard. - Step Gently Out
By Helen Frost.
A simple poem accompanied by close-up photos of tiny creatures. This book invites us to look closely and notice the amazing world around us. - Take The Time: Mindfulness For Kids
By Maud Roegiers.
The child in this small book takes the time to slow down and think about what she is doing, what she has dreamt, and to listen to the silence. - All Of Me: A Book Of Thanks
By Molly Bang.
A toddler is thankful for his hands, feet, etc. and all the things he can do. - Calm
By Jillian Roberts
A quiet board book full of soothing messages to encourage readers to stay calm and regulate with babies and toddlers in their lives.
- I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness
By Susan Verde
This book is a gentle reminder to practice mindfulness and encourage us to pay attention to our experiences without judgement but with kindness and curiosity.
- The Stars Will Still Shine
By Cynthia Rylant.
Shining stars, flowers that bloom, love…this book celebrates the constants of our beautiful world. - Just Because I Am
By Lauren Murphy Payne
Young children need support and encouragement as they learn to value themselves and recognize their own worth – “not because of the things I do, not because of what I look like, not because of what I have…just because I am.” This book with simple affirmation for children helps them respect their bodies, acknowledge their own needs, and name their feelings. - Outside Your Window: A First Book Of Nature
By Nicola Davies.
Poetry and images highlight the world of nature outside the door, whether in the city or country.
- Hey, Little Ant
By Phillip Hoose and Hannah Hoose.
What would you do if the ant you were about to step on looked up and started talking? Would you stop and listen? What if your friends saw you hesitate? That’s what happens in this funny, thought-provoking book. Originally a song by a father-daughter team, this conversation between two creatures, large and small, is bound to inspire important discussions. - The Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza
By Philemon Sturges.
A retelling of the classic tale wherein an industrious hen makes food with no help from her lazy friends. - The Way I Act
By Steve Metzger.
The child in this story declares, “Dancing-prancing-running jumping-spinning like a top. When I’m active I feel great and never want to stop.” This book is an exploration of what it may be like to behave in certain ways. The bold illustrations and verses convey many positive ideas of how to act in a variety of situations. - Who Took The Cookie From The Cookie Jar?
By Bonnie Lass & Philemon Sturges.
This adaption of the well-loved song features animals from the American southwest, including a skunk who asks the question, “Who took the cookies from the cookie jar?” Who left the trail of cookie crumbs to show the way?