SEL Books
SEL in children's literature and everybody books
Literature is a great way to introduce complex topics and subjects to children, especially regarding emotions. Sometimes, learning and understanding our own feelings is easier when we first view it through someone else's lens.
Instead of directly teaching the social-emotional topics, engaging students with a picture book can be more engaging: "The use of children’s literature is a particularly effective way to anchor social-emotional learning experiences because books can serve as a point of reference for children, as characters model coping strategies, creative problem-solving, and the acceptance of differences" (Moodie, 2022, pp. 26-27). Reading about these topics can create empathy and allow students to see themselves within the book's characters. Furthermore, "reading fictional stories with children allows them to learn from experiences they have never had---including those that involve difficult emotions---within the safety of a world that is not real" (Moodie, 2022, p. 26-27).
Below are articles, resources, books, and websites with recommendations for great classroom SEL read-alouds. Enjoy!
SEL Everybody Books Resources
- Addressing children's social emotional needs with children's literatureLiterature is a great way to address present issues or complex topics. This source discusses using bibliotherapy—books as therapeutic sources—to address and support children's social and mental health and development.
- Children’s Literature: Capturing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)The COVID-19 pandemic caused young students to miss out on being in a school setting during the introductory years of their education. The time away from regular instruction has amplified the need for SEL programs implemented into students' daily learning. This article focuses on effective strategies for incorporating read-alouds in the classroom that focus on these important SEL skills that younger elementary students did not receive during their time away from regular instruction.
- Diverse books for diverse children: Building an early childhood diverse booklist for social and emotional learningDiverse books allow young students to see themselves in the stories they read. They also encourage them to gain an appreciation for diverse peers. This source seeks to enhance early childhood educators' collection of picture books for the classroom. These books introduce social and emotional learning skills such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management, and responsible decision-making.
- The effect of picture book reading on young children’s use of an emotion regulation strategyThis study examines picture books' potential benefits and supports for young students' social and emotional development. Picture books have more benefits than language development. It focuses on two experimental situations in which books presented SEL themes to children.
- Exploring Multicultural Picturebooks With Social–Emotional ThemesThis article discusses how to incorporate multicultural read-alouds with social and emotional learning (SEL) content, such as problem-solving, comprehension, and language development. The aim of these read-alouds is to foster and enhance young students' social skills in these areas. The article emphasizes how using multicultural read-alouds alongside SEL topics can aid young students in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
- Finding Ourselves in Books.This resource provides guidance to educators and professionals on how to support students in developing their emotional wellness, safety, morals, life skills, and other important areas. What makes this resource particularly effective are the numerous book recommendations that cover topics such as self-identity/self-esteem, kindness and respect, conflict resolution, building friendships, embracing diversity, and more. These books aim to help students navigate a complex world and make sense of it all.
- Using Children's Literature to Strengthen Social and Emotional LearningThis source is an introduction to an edition of the School Psychology International. It describes the urgency for increasing support for young students' mental health needs. This article introduces bibliotherapy as a means to support the mental health needs of young students and enhance their social and emotional learning (SEL).
- Using Picture Books to Enhance Children's Social and Emotional Literacy : Creative Activities and Programs for Parents and ProfessionalsThis resource provides insights on how professionals and educators working with children can leverage children's literature to connect with emotions. It explains how popular and well-received books, along with appropriate activities and an SEL framework, can play a crucial role in helping students cultivate vital life skills and comprehend their emotions better to lead a successful life.
SEL Book Suggestion Resources
- Hearts & Minds.This source lists excellent picture books with SEL topics and great conversation starters with students about some of these themes. For convenience, the list provides the title of the book, the author, and the ISBN.
- SEL: The books kids need most nowThis source includes book recommendations that tackle SEL topics such as inclusion, belonging, and managing emotions. It also features middle-grade books that are suitable for late elementary students with high reading levels.
Classroom Reading to Engage the Heart and Mind by ISBN: 9780393714203Publication Date: 2020-04-07In picture books, well-loved characters deal with many of the same problems students face in their own lives. What better resource could there be for encouraging students to think about their actions and responses? Using classroom texts to start SEL conversations-- during an interactive read- aloud or an extension of shared close- reading lessons-- weaves social emotional learning organically into the fabric of an existing curriculum rather than adding a new block to the day. In a book perfect for a study group or for immediate use in the classroom, literacy educator Nancy Boyles connects the dots between the competencies identified by leaders in the SEL field with the rich content of children's literature. More than 200 award- winning picture books are profiled along the way as she unpacks each SEL skill, sketches typical classroom situations in which teachers might not see that skill demonstrated, discusses what to look for in books that address it, and provides carefully crafted sets of questions to explore with students.
*Must be requested from another library*
- Finding Books For Teaching SEL.This article highlights the marketing aspect of children's book publishing, specifically promoting books that support social and emotional learning. It also recommends some books that address SEL themes.
Website Resources with Book Recommendations
- betterkids.education*Linked article: “22 Children’s Books That Support Social Emotional Learning”
- Brightly*Linked article: "Picture Books To Boost Social and Emotional Learning Skills"
- Harpercollins Publishers*Linked article: "Social Emotional Books For Kids"
- Lucky little learners*Linked article: "The Top Social Emotional Learning Books for Kids"
- Scholastic teacher*Linked to Scholastic SEL book shopping page
- We Are Teachers*Linked article: "50 Children’s Books for Teaching Social Skills"