Growing Readers: Learning to Love Reading and Writing Column 42
This editorial article was written by Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.
What is Social Emotional Learning? Why is it important? How can we support it at home?
The Children’s Book Review
What is Social Emotional Learning?
Social Emotional Learning, or SEL for short, helps students of all ages grow, learn, and achieve:
- self-awareness
- self-management
- social awareness
- relationship skills
- and responsible decision-making.
For years, generations of authors have produced amazing, powerful, and inspiring books to help kids with SEL and more recently, schools have started to adopt the SEL curriculum as well. In essence, schools are now teaching kids to embrace who they are and what they value, and to use these values to make good and responsible decisions.
SEL also teaches strategies to help kids work with (not against) the plethora of feelings that we experience as human beings, and truly, so much more. SEL helps students learn and grow in areas such as mindfulness, and through mindfulness, SEL helps build stronger classroom communities, school communities, and more engaged students. A simple internet search will provide a wealth of information about SEL, such as CASEL, which has “helped grow social and emotional learning (SEL) from a promising theory to an essential part of education”.
Why is Social Emotional Learning Important?
SEL provides a plethora of benefits from:
- increasing the ability to understand and manage emotions
- setting and working toward positive goals
- appreciating the perspectives of others
- learning how to demonstrate empathy
- making good decisions
- and fostering positive relationships.
How Do You Implement Social Emotional Learning at Home?
SEL can be directly connected to the books your children are exposed to.
Books matter, representation matters, diversity matters, and experiences matter. The characters and themes your child reads about will help them build hugely important SEL skills, which are important life skills. If you’ve been following along with The Children’s Book Review, you know this and you very likely have exposed your children to these kinds of amazing social-emotional learning books.
We have a few more suggestions to help you continue to grow your home library, book wish lists, or books to pick up at your local library.
Here are just a few books that have powerful themes to help your children learn, grow, connect, and build a better world. (And be sure to browse TCBR for valuable information on building your home library, such as this post: Why Is It Important to Read Books From Different Genres?)
Excellent Social Emotional Learning Books For Your Child
Listening to My Body
Written by Gabi Garcia
Illustrated by Ying Hui Tan
Ages 3+ | 34 Pages
Publisher: Skinned Knee Publishing | ISBN-13: 9780998958019
Through the engaging and interactive book Listening to My Body, children are guided toward the practice of identifying their feelings and the physical sensations that accompany them. This helps them develop a wide range of sensations vocabulary which allows them to express themselves more effectively. The book also includes easy-to-follow, kid-friendly mindfulness activities that reinforce the importance of emotional self-regulation and mindfulness. By practicing these skills, children enhance their capacity to show care and kindness for themselves, especially during challenging and emotional situations.
Whether you are a parent, counselor, or teacher, Listening to My Body is a valuable tool that can be utilized to help children develop emotional resilience and awareness.
Buy the Book
My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing
Written by Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
Illustrated by Michelle Polizzi
Ages 2+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780062687760
New York Times bestselling author Nick Ortner’s captivating picture book teaches children how to find calmness and peace through mindful breathing. My Magic Breath is an interactive book that encourages children to breathe along as they learn how to process negative emotions. This book is perfect for children who find it difficult to feel happy in a world that is sometimes too busy with too many things going on. Through the magic of mindful breathing, children will learn to find a serene space of mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance. This book is an excellent addition to any classroom or home library.
Buy the Book
You, Me & Empathy
Written by Jayneen Sanders
Illustrated by Sofia Cardoso
Ages 3+ | 42 Pages
Publisher: Educate2Empower Publishing | ISBN-13: 9781925089127
Empathy is a crucial social skill for children to learn as it helps them connect with others across differences in culture, race, and background. This delightful story beautifully illustrates the importance of empathy through the character of Quinn, who models compassion and understanding toward others. It is essential to teach children how to recognize other people’s perspectives and needs, and this story does an excellent job of doing so through its relatable characters and engaging illustrations. This resource also provides parents, caregivers, and educators with Discussion Questions and suggested activities to encourage empathy and kindness in children.
As educators and caregivers, it is essential to nurture and cherish these traits in the children under our care, and this story is an excellent way to promote and explore the importance of empathy with them.
Buy the Book
Pink Is for Boys
Written by Robb Pearlman
Illustrated by Eda Kaban
Ages 2+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Running Press Kids | ISBN-13: 9780762462476
Pink Is for Boys is a beautiful and enlightening picture book that dispels the notion of color preferences based on gender stereotypes. With relatable characters from diverse backgrounds, the book empowers young children and their guardians to celebrate their uniqueness and express themselves through the full spectrum of colors. The vibrant illustrations help children to recognize and appreciate the array of colors that surround them in their everyday lives. The picture book’s sweet and straightforward narrative, written by Robb Pearlman, conveys a powerful message that life is not color-coded.
Enthusiastic parents and children will thoroughly enjoy this book and appreciate the inclusive concept it teaches.
Buy the Book
The Buddy Bench
Written by Patty Brozo
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Ages 7+ | 36 Pages
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers | ISBN-13: 9780884486978
The children in this story are inspiring as they recognize the impact of loneliness and become agents of change in their school community. A recent survey found that a significant number of children experience feelings of loneliness during the school day, making the need for solutions like buddy benches all the more important. Patty Brozo’s characters come to life on the playground with Mike Deas’s illustrations adding imaginative elements to their games. The children in the story are able to empathize with each other and offer a solution to the problem in the form of a buddy bench.
Since their introduction from Germany in 2014, buddy benches have been popping up in schoolyards across the United States. The concept is simple yet impactful, as children sitting on the bench signal to others that they would like someone to play with.
Buy the Book
Harlem Grown
Written by Tony Hillery
Illustrated by Jessie Hartland
Ages 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books | ISBN-13: 9781534402317
Harlem Grown is a heartwarming story of a New York City garden that feeds an entire neighborhood. This incredible true story illustrates how one man’s efforts can create a significant impact on his community. After realizing the lack of healthy food options in the area, Tony Hillery invited students from an underfunded school to transform an abandoned lot into a farm. By collaborating and learning about healthy, sustainable eating, these kids turned the abandoned space into something beautiful and useful. Today, the kids and their families grow thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables each year, which all goes toward benefiting the community. This inspiring tale is brought to life with Jessie Hartland’s captivating artwork.
Buy the Book
The Cot in the Living Room
Written by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro
Ages 4+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Kokila | ISBN-13: 9780593110478
The Cot in the Living Room is an endearing depiction of a young girl’s journey from envy to empathy in New York City. Each night, she observes her mami preparing the living room to host overnight guests – like Raquel, who she deems dull, and Edgardo, who leaves behind crumbs. The girl resents the guests for having the better sleeping arrangements—a cot in the living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge—while she is confined to a small room with her snoring sister.
When a night arrives with no guests, the girl seizes the opportunity to claim the coveted cot. However, her expectations are not met. Hilda Eunice Burgos’ delightful text and Gaby D’Alessandro’s whimsical illustrations illustrate how a Dominican American community looks out for each other and teaches young readers that empathy is key to building good relationships.
Buy the Book
Let’s Talk About Race
Written by Julius Lester
Illustrated by Karen Barbour
Ages 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Amistad | ISBN-13: 9780060285968
Let’s Talk About Race, by Julius Lester and Karen Barbour, explores the theme of race and identity through storytelling. According to Lester, our lives are stories, and everyone’s story is unique, with differences in the details. Barbour’s vivid and expressive illustrations beautifully complement Lester’s vision, making it a powerful celebration of an aspect of ourselves that makes us unique. This book is a valuable resource for individuals and communities seeking to have conversations around race and identity. Its narrative style will undoubtedly engage readers of all ages in reflection and discussion.
Buy the Book
A Kids Book About Disability
Written by Kristine Napper
Ages 5+ | 72 Pages
Publisher: DK Children | ISBN-13: 9780744085686
A Kids Book About Disability offers a clear explanation of what disabilities are and how to navigate conversations about them. It provides a comprehensive approach to the topic of disabilities in a respectful and knowledgeable manner. People with disabilities make up approximately one billion of the world’s population, and it is essential to understand how to converse with them. Although discussing disabilities can be challenging, the book offers an introduction and makes it less intimidating for children and adults alike to get started on the subject at an early age.
Buy the Book
Thank you for reading the Growing Readers: Learning to Love Reading and Writing column. Bookmark this Growing Readers Column link or subscribe to our e-newsletter so you do not miss out on the monthly reading tips. What Is Social Emotional Learning and Why Is It Important? was written by Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.—follow her on Instagram: @wildflower_learning_denver.
