Why picture books?
Sharing picture books about emotion and social-emotional issues can help our students explore feelings and learn how to navigate social issues.
Here are some books that you can share with kids of any age that will help them develop empathy, talk about their feelings, and identify with others.
There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi
Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all.
Don't Think About Purple Elephants by Susanne Merritt
Sometimes Sophie worries — not during the day when she is busy with family and friends, but at night when everything is calm and quiet.
Too Shy for Show and Tell by Beth Bracken
Sam is a quiet little boy who hates show-and-tell. Just thinking about it makes his stomach hurt. Sam must find a way to conquer his fear of show-and-tell.
Flight School by Lita Judge
A young penguin may not have exactly the right body for flight, but he has the “soul of an eagle.” Eager to enroll in flight school and learn what it takes to soar, he is not discouraged. Fortunately, the other birds are so taken with his determination they do what it takes to make his dreams come true. Utterly delightful.
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this book about the creative process, and the way in which “mistakes” can blossom into inspiration
Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka
Learning to ride a bike is one of the most important milestones of childhood, and this book captures the emotional ups and downs of the experience.
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
It was the perfect summer. That is until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too!
Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?
I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoet
In this wordless picture book inspired by a true story, a fellow student sees new girl Vanessa beset upon by bullies and decides to go to her house and offer to walk her to school the next day
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Because Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico.
We're All Wonders by RJ Palacio
Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy. Choose Kind.
The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community.
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
After seeing a classmate spill grape juice all over her new dress — and struggling to find the words that will help her feel better — the young narrator wonders: what does it really mean to be kind?
Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson
Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself and shows that fitting in isn't always the best fit.
Drawn Together by Minh Le
Drawn Together shows that meaningful relationships are possible even across communication barriers, and as their illustration styles start to blend together, it shows the connections they’ve made without words.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
This book follows a group of diverse children through a day at their school, where everyone is welcomed, supported, and encouraged, and friends from a wide variety of cultures share their traditions with each other.
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates
A smiling umbrella grows wide enough to accommodate everyone who needs its shelter, no matter what they look like—even when it seems like there won’t be room—in this picture book about tolerance and inclusion.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corner By Joanna Ho
This lyrical, stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate who you are.
The Proudest Blue By Ibtihah Muhammad
Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.
Crabby Pants by Julie Gassman
When things don’t go Roger’s way, he gets crabby. However, Roger thinks he has found a solution to being such a crabby pants.
Jenny Mei Is Sad By Tracy Subisak
Learn how to approach difficult emotions with compassion and understanding.
Lying Up a Storm by Julia Cook
A Storm is Brewing… Whenever Levi doesn’t like the truth, he kinda, sorta makes up other stuff to say.
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
Ruthie loves little things-the smaller the better. So when she finds a teeny tiny camera on the school playground one afternoon, she can hardly believe her luck. She wants to keep the camera in the worst way, but there’s one little problem: It isn’t hers.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. But when Lilly brings her purple plastic purse and its treasures to school and can’t wait until sharing time, Mr. Slinger confiscates her prized possessions.
David Gets In Trouble by David Shannon
“When David gets in trouble, he always says . . . ‘NO! It’s not my fault! I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!'”
My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook
All of Louis thoughts are very important to him. In fact, his thoughts are so important to him that when he has something to say, his words begin to wiggle, and then they do the jiggle, then his tongue pushes all of his important words up against his teeth and he erupts, or interrupts others.
Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! by Trudy Ludwig
The creators of The Invisible Boy introduce a boy who won’t stop talking, until he gets laryngitis and can finally hear what other people have to say.
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen by Howard Binkow
This story shows the consequences of not knowing how to listen. It shows this bunny’s transformation from ignoring others and instruction to learning to listen.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan Higgins
Penelope is nervous about the first day of school. Penelope is also a T. rex. Reassurances from mom and dad aside, she can’t help but wonder if she’ll make any friends. And when the day in question arrives, Penelope is completely shocked to discover that all her classmates are human children. So she eats them.
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones
Lacey Walker loves to talk. She talks all day, and sometimes all night. But when she loses her voice, Lacey learns the importance of listening.
Will You Be My Friend by Peter Brown
Today is the day the exuberant Lucy is going to make a new friend! But she finds it’s harder than she had thought–she accidentally ruins the giraffe’s breakfast and is much too big for the frogs’ pond.
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Gerald the tall giraffe would love to join in with the other animals at the Jungle Dance, but everyone knows that giraffes can’t dance . . . or can they?
Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey
The new girl at school has a glamorous life. What more could she want? Sunday Chutney is not your ordinary everyday girl. Sunday has lived everywhere and been everywhere. The only problem is this means she is always the new girl at school and she never really has a place to call home.
Emanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah’s inspiring true story is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams.
Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn't Sit Still by Karlin Gray
Nadia Comaneci was a feisty and fearless little girl who went from climbing trees in the forests of Romania to swinging into history at the 1976 Olympic Games, where she received an unprecedented seven perfect scores in gymnastics.
The Oldest Student By Rita Lorraine Hubbard
Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation's oldest student who learned to read at age 116.
Manjhi Moves a Mountain By Nancy Churnin
Dashrath Manjhi uses a hammer and chisel, grit, determination, and many years to carve a path through the mountain separating his poor village from the nearby village.
A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz
Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves.
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchey
Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.
Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
This beautifully illustrated volume tells Malala's story for a younger audience and shows them the worldview that allowed Malala to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times.
Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
Rappaport weaves her simple and graceful text and the words of Martin Luther King Jr. into a captivating narrative, telling the story of Dr. King's life in a way that is entirely accessible for young readers
Zero By Kathryn Otoshi
As budding young readers learn about numbers and counting, they are also introduced to accepting different body types, developing social skills and character, and learning what it means to find value in yourself and others.
Catching Thoughts By Bonnie Clark
For everyone who has been weighed down by sadness or anxiety, this story teaches us how to acknowledge unwanted thoughts, show them compassion , the actively replace them with positive thoughts.
Calling the Wind By Trudy Ludwig and Kathryn Otoshi
Inspired by the Wind Telephone in Japan, this poignant story explores the stages of grief, the healing power of hope, and the unbreakable family bonds that connect us all.
The Memory Box By Joanna Rowland
From the perspective of a child, Rowland artfully describes what it is like to remember and grieve a loved one who has died.
Lunch Every Day By Kathryn Otoshi
Otoshi uses her vibrant pallette and probing storytelling to great effect as the story of a bullying victim actually shed light on the other victim in the story - the bully himself.
My Secret Bully By Trudy Ludwig
Monica is a target of relational aggression, emotional bullying among friends who will use name-calling and manipulation to humiliate and exclude.
