It’s the start of another school year, and students’ need to build social-emotion skills hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s a great time to start growing these foundational skills and below are a handful of our newest titles to easily introduce conversations about self-awareness, decision making, relationships, and more.
We also have a fabulous series of SEL blog posts written by author, educator, and life coach Nicole D. Collier. Check them out for more book recommendations as well as tips for incorporating the 5 pillars of SEL into your daily routines and read alouds.
You and Me, Anemone
Kirkus Best Book “Don’t boop this book away! Embrace this lively, creative look at asserting one’s boundaries.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“The clever art is an ideal partner to highly readable, percussive text that emphasizes the harmony that can arise from respecting others’ spaces and needs.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A lyrical lesson on personal boundaries with illustrations guaranteed to help enhance young readers’ vocabularies and imaginations.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
Bestselling author Rachel Vail and multiple Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka shine a spotlight on the importance of personal space in this SEL standout that also celebrates the ocean and sea life. Includes back matter.
Don’t want to be booped? No problem! A sea anemone in the ocean confidently sets itself some personal boundaries, encouraging young readers on land to do the same.
You and Me, Anemone is a nuanced, thoughtful, playful picture book for young children about the delicate challenge of boundaries—having them, maintaining them, and respecting them in others. The playful, rhythmic, interactive text by award-winning author Rachel Vail pairs the science of sea life with social-emotional learning for terrific classroom potential. Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Chris Raschka’s illustrations—created by painting and stitching on burlap—are a visual and emotional showstopper with a ton of kid appeal. Back matter includes an author’s note and facts about the incredible sea anemone.
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)
Kirkus Best Book “Storytelling at its most brilliant—and whimsical.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Everything is on the line for crabby, cranky Crow. But why, exactly, is Crow so moody? The reason will delight readers in three-time Geisel Medal and Caldecott Honor winner Corey R. Tabor’s funny and surprising twist on friendship, science, and saving the world.
Cranky, crabby Crow does not want to play with Squirrel or do loop-de-loops with Hummingbird. He doesn’t have time for Rat or Bat. From high atop a telephone pole, Cat warns Crow that he will soon be all alone if he turns his friends away with his very cranky “kaw!” one more time. But, unbeknownst to all, Crow has bigger, world-saving fish to fry—he must protect planet Earth from an asteroid headed our way!
With playful illustrations and a classic “Tabor twist,” Cranky, Crabby Crow is an excellent choice for readers who love Mo Willems and Jon Klassen. Kirkus Reviews calls Corey R. Tabor “a master of the early reader” with good reason, and here he once again proves himself an innovative and unforgettable storyteller. Cranky, Crabby Crow explores perennial, age-appropriate social and emotional themes through Corey R. Tabor’s signature subtlety and silliness. Includes a secret code.
Ellie Has a Secret
“Gentle and magical. A story that purrs with a full heart and a Secret.” —Hanna Cha, Caldecott Honor artist of The Truth About Dragons
“A slyly told modern fable about keeping a secret, with dazzlingly cinematic spreads.” —the Fan Brothers, creators of The Night Gardener and It Fell from the Sky
“Gorgeous, immersive, and a crucial conversation starter to help readers of all ages feel safe in revealing weighty secrets of their own.” —Devin Elle Kurtz, creator of The Bakery Dragon and illustrator of Seven Ways Through the Woods
A gorgeously illustrated picture book debut about releasing the secrets that weigh us down. Perfect for fans of the stunning characters and worlds by David Wiesner, the Fan Brothers, and Aaron Becker. Pure magic!
Ellie would never dream of taking something from her classroom without asking her teacher first. But the shell she finds during recess is particularly peculiar—and has a mysterious critter living inside it! Surprising even herself, she pops it in her pocket as a little secret when no one is looking. It’s not long before the creature outgrows the shell and starts to weigh Ellie down.
Does Ellie have a secret, or does the secret have her?
This spectacular debut by author-illustrator Amelia Bothe explores the delights and perils of keeping secrets as well as the rewards of being honest. Gorgeous art of this magical beast wows on every page.
Lulu and the Others
Award-winning author and wildlife expert Eliot Schrefer makes his picture book debut with a sweet, poignant story about family and belonging, inspired by the true story of a bonobo raised by a human family and later returned to the wild, with illustrations from New York Times bestselling artist AG Ford.
Lulu is like many kids you know. She lives in a house with her mom, dad, and sister. She likes soda, hopscotch, and comic books.
But there is one way Lulu is different: she’s a bonobo.
Being the only bonobo in a human world can be lonesome. And so Lulu and her family take a long boat ride to a jungle Lulu has never seen before.
Now, she’s surrounded by creatures with faces that look like hers and who make sounds like she does. But Lulu can’t possibly be like these apes…can she?
Zara in the Middle
“A standout read for young audiences. Fans of Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s Grandma’s Purse and Oge Mora’s Thank You, Omu! will find much to love here. Highly recommended.”—School Library Journal (STARRED review)
A multigenerational picture book about finding your voice and the strength of family from acclaimed author-artist Erika Lynne Jones!
Zara loves living next door to her Grandma Jane and Granny Gladys, but sometimes it’s tough being stuck in the middle of them! Both her grandmas think they know what’s best for her, and Zara is too worried she might upset them if she says what she really wants.
Find out what it will take for Zara to speak up for herself in this empowering story. Perfect for fans of Christian Robinson and Etta Extraordinaire.
“A gentle yet powerful lesson for people pleasers everywhere.”—Kirkus
A School Library Journal Brilliant Picture Book Star
Into the Bewilderness
Perfect for fans of The Wild Robot, Gus Gordon’s graphic novel debut follows two furry friends on a clever and cozy adventure when they embark on a journey to the Big City for the first time.
In the Bewilderness, life is good.
Best friends Luis (the large furry one) and Pablo (the small furry one) spend their days wandering through nature, playing songs on the guitar, and eating Slow Joe McNally’s pinecone porridge with their neighbors.
When dreamer Luis receives an unexpected invitation to attend a performance of The Weary Mermaid in the big, bustling city, he finds it hard to ignore the allure of the bright lights.
Luckily, he doesn’t have to go it alone—and it’s a good thing, because it’s a long journey through the Bewilderness, and Luis has many questions. Will they meet laser-eyed gargoyles, zombie chickens, or tyrannical cow rulers? Will they get there on time? Why is quicksand so slow if it’s called quicksand? Thankfully, with his grumpy but loyal best friend by his side, they’ll soon find out.
. . . Or will they?