Social-emotional intelligence is key to teaching our children the skills they need to manage all sorts of different emotions and situations. But how can we teach such an important skill? When in doubt my go-to is always books!
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During times of hardship, crisis, and big emotions I always turn to books. They are such an easy way to convey the handling of feelings with our kids. Reading these books that teach social-emotional intelligence can open the door to big juicy conversations as well as an understanding as to why we feel the way we feel.
Books Can Help Kid’s Identify Emotions
Children’s books are an excellent resource for helping our kids identify emotions as well as figuring out how to solve conflicts while processing emotions. They can help encourage empathy and kindness.
I want to give my children healthy and positive social skills as well as nourishing their education. My husband always jokes that no matter what, I always seem to have a book or ten for every need. But an effective book choice can help provide circumstances that children can relate to, in any situation. That’s why I’ve scoured the internet looking for the best children’s books to help learn about big emotions. And when we have those especially HARD days, these books have been lifesavers.
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
I hope these children’s books on social-emotional intelligence help your kiddos as they navigate the big feelings that come up around the different circumstances life throws at them.
Click on any of the images below to visit each book.
Kids Books that Help with Feelings
2. The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
4. Sketch Monsters Vol. 1 by Joshua Williamson
5. You Me & Empathy by Sanders
6. Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker
7. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts) by Jo Witek
8. Inside Out: Driven by Emotions by Disney Book Group
9. The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
10. The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
11. I Feel: A book about recognizing and understanding emotions by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.
12. Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly
13. The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
14. Little Big Feelings by Deb Mills
15. Some Days by Karen Kaufman Orloff
16. B is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping with Fussy & Frustrating Feelings by Melissa Munro Boyd
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Anger
17. Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear
19. A Little SPOT of Anger: A Story About Managing BIG Emotions by Diane Alber
20. Millie Fierce by Jane Manning
21. When I am Angry: Kids Books about Anger by Michael Gordon
22. Angry Ninja: A Children’s Book About Fighting and Managing Anger by Mary Nhin
23. The Grouchies by Debbie Wagenbach
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Worry
24. Ruby Finds a Worry (Big Bright Feelings) by Tom Percival
25. Wilma Jean – The Worry Machine by Julia Cook
26. When I Am Worried by Michael Gordon
27. When Worry Takes Hold by Liz Haske
28. Don’t Feed The WorryBug by Andi Green
29. Is a Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz
30. What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner
31. Me And My Fear by Francesca Sanna
32. A Little SPOT of Anxiety: A Story About Calming Your Worries by Diane Alber
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Kindness
33. How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
34. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
35. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
37. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
38. Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Confidence and Happiness
39. I Can Handle It (Mindful Mantras) by Ms Laurie Wright
40. A Little SPOT of Confidence: A Story About Believing In Yourself by Diane Alber
41. I Believe in Myself (Mindful Mantras) by Ms Laurie N Wright
42. Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley and Anne Miranda
43. A Little SPOT of Happiness by Diane Alber
44. Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Growth Mindset
45. What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
46. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
47. Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett
48. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It by JoAnn Deak Ph.D.
50 Children’s Books that Teach Social-Emotional Intelligence
Kids Books that Help with Friendship plus Two Extra!
49. Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Mélanie Watt
51. How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown
52. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
More Books Lists for Kids
You may also enjoy these other book lists:
- 50 of The Best World War II Books for Middle Schoolers
- 15 Books to Inspire Gratitude and Thankfulness
- 12 Books to Help Children with Death, Grief, and Loss
- 20 Favorite Children’s Poetry Books
- 35 Favorite Read Aloud Books
- 20 Books for Kids Not Ready for Harry Potter
- 25 Books Your Child Should Read After Harry Potter
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