16 Books on Social-Emotional Learning:
A Teacher's Top Choices

Books on social-emotional learning is time students will enjoy and very beneficial for students. First, I truly enjoyed creating this list of books on social-emotional learning for you. I love children’s books just as much as my students and am always looking for new releases for my classroom library. Social-emotional learning has definitely come front and center in the world of education. Here you will find a great list of books on social-emotional learning that will help you teach your students. 

Books of Social-Emotional Learning
The Crayons' Book of Feelings

I love these books! Each book in the series is fun, creative, and has a great message for kids. The Crayons’ Book of Feelings is great for a classroom library or a gift for a child. Kids love to color with crayons, but I’m sure they have never considered that crayons could have feelings too. Students can relate to the crayons in this book because, just like the crayons, they may not realize that what they are feeling are emotions. Do your students a favor; order this book and read it every school year! This is just one of many great books on social-emotional learning. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

The Gruffalo

Books on social-emotional learning has to include the book, The Gruffalo. The Gruffalo is such a cute read. Students will quickly fall in love with a mouse who is traveling through the woods but is scared of a ruff and a tough creature with terrible claws and tusks called the Gruffalo. There is a twist that may surprise your students and provides a great lesson. This children's book is perfect to add to your list of books on social-emotional learning and provides examples of how to overcome fear, show kindness, and be a good friend.

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Who doesn’t love Pete the Cat! Pete the Cat is one of my favorite children's book characters. I love the messages each book presents and the beloved characters. Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes is a great book that supports all social-emotional learning concepts. Students will learn that bad days happen, that it’s okay, and you have to keep moving forward. I love this book and my top choices of books on social-emotional learning!

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

The Invisible Boy

Students will be able to relate to this book in many ways and it a great book about social-emotional learning. Even as adults, at times, we feel invisible. It is so important for kids to know and feel they are not alone and where to go and what to do when they have these feelings. The Invisible Boy will help students see firsthand how to be a friend when someone feels unseen or alone and also how to react when they feel this way. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

STOP THE SCROLL! 

Start implementing "The Chill Spot" in your classroom today! Do you have students in your classroom who would benefit from a 5-10 break for a reset? Allow your students this area to learn to work through their emotions so they can carry on with their day. 

Feelings Ninja

Feelings can change quickly and sometimes as fast as a roller coaster. Feelings Ninja offers examples and shares situations students can relate to and solutions on how to handle feelings. Students will love and appreciate the bright colors and beautiful illustrations in this great choice for books on social-emotional learning. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

Be Mindful of Monsters

Looking for a book to teach students how to process and deal with emotions? Be Mindful of Monsters will help you do just that. Students will learn to accept their emotions and learn how to process them in a healthy way, even the ones that are uncomfortable. The book teaches the important lesson of learning how to listen to your body. Be Mindful of Monsters was written by a therapist and is a great book for social-emotional learning.

 Listen to the read aloud on Youtube.

I Am Enough

This book is everything! Please read I Am Enough to your students and have conversations with them. We are here for a purpose. What is your purpose? This book will help students understand they were made for a purpose and how to step into their purpose. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

Taste Your Words

Words hurt, and once hurtful words are said, you can’t take them back. Taste Your Words will help students learn to think before they speak and to consider how those bad-tasting words feel to others. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it!  

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

My Mouth Is a Volcano

My Mouth Is a  Volcano is a Teacher’s Choice on Amazon. This is a great children’s book and has a great lesson for students.  Students will learn how to think before they speak and how to manage their thoughts and words before they erupt.  It doesn’t matter if it's the beginning of the school year or the end, My Mouth is a Volcano is a must-read and great books on social emotional learning.

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

The Cool Bean

The Cool Bean is a great social-emotional learning book for students. This book will help students who may not feel like “the cool kid” and will give them tools to work through those feelings. Students will love the beautiful illustrations in this book.

The World Needs More Purple People

There is good everywhere in the world; we just have to look for it. I’m sure students will wonder, “What is a purple person?”. Purple people can be found everywhere. They bring people together and speak up for what is right. They like to laugh, be helpful, show kindness, and are everyday superheroes. Students are sure to love this social-emotional learning book!  Be sure to check the author! So cool!

The Bad Seed

The Bad Seed has a bad attitude, bad manners, and a bad temper. This is a great children’s book. Students will learn how to handle a bad attitude, bad manners, and a bad temper. I like this book because it validates that everyone has bad days and shows how to overcome them. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

The Empathy Your Super Power

Empathy is a feeling that is super powerful! Teaching students empathy is so important. Students need to learn how to care for others and build those powerful skills. This book also offers situations for students to practice activities through real-life scenarios that are easy for them to understand. Make sure this makes it on the shelf of books on social emotional learning!

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

I Am Human

I Am Human is a great social-emotional book for kids. Students will be encouraged to make good choices and learn how to overcome when mistakes are made. We all are human and do make mistakes. Students will also learn how to show empathy and compassion for others. This is a great book on social-emotional learning!

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

A Little Spot of Emotion Box Set

The A Little Spot of Emotion box set includes all things needed for social-emotional learning. Eight emotion books are included: Anger, Anxiety, Happiness, Sadness, Love, Confidence, Peace, and Scribble. These books are full of lessons and laughter. Students are sure to love this box set! 

Listen to The Feelings Song on YouTube.

The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!

Who doesn’t love the Pigeon books! This book is centered around feelings and how to deal with feelings and emotions. Some days people, or in this case, bus riders,  just get on your nerves. Learn how to overcome feelings and deal with them. This is one of my favorite books!

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

In My Heart

Our hearts hold so many things and have so many feelings. In My Heart will help students learn to explore their feelings and learn how to describe those feelings. Teaching students to identify and process their emotions is important. This book is a great read and will make a great addition to your classroom library. 

Listen to the read aloud on YouTube.

Take time to teach students about their emotions and take advantage of this great list of recommendations for books about social-emotional learning. Learning to process and work through emotions can change a child’s life and set them up for much success in life.