Back to School Picture Books for Social and Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classroom
Social and emotional learning is critical to student success. As they begin to develop empathy and understanding for their peers and those around them, students are able to make connections, explore different perspectives, and contribute their own opinions thoughtfully and respectfully. These skills will create more harmonious classrooms, but will also support student growth for years to come.
September is the perfect time to introduce concepts of social and emotional learning, as it will set the tone for the classroom for the entire school year. Check out these titles that are perfect for supporting students in broadening their emotional development.
Becoming Vanessa
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Vanessa is nervous she will not fit in on her first day of school, but she hopes a special outfit will show her new classmates she is someone they should know.
Just Help: How to Build a Better World
by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Angela Dominguez
In a story inspired by her own family's desire to help others, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor takes young readers on a journey through a neighborhood where kids and adults, activists and bus drivers, friends and strangers all help one another to build a better world for themselves and their community.
Laxmi's Mooch
by Shelly Anand; illustrated by Nabi H. Ali.
After Laxmi's friend Zoe points out the hairs on her lip, Laxmi is very self-conscious until her East Indian parents help her to accept and celebrate her appearance.
Queen of Kindergarten
by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Instilled with confidence by her parents, a young girl has a great first day of kindergarten.
Tomorrow I'll Be Kind
by Jessica Hische
Illustrations by a lettering artist and easy-to-read text reveal ways to be helpful, patient, gentle, honest, generous, grateful, and especially kind. This book is a reminder to all readers, young and old, that the smallest kind gesture can make the biggest difference in the world—we just have to remember to be kind to one another.
We Are Better Together
by Bill McKibben; illustrated by Stevie Lewis
From environmentalist and bestselling author Bill McKibben comes a hopeful, inspiring picture book celebrating the power of human cooperation and the beauty of life on Earth.
The Year We Learned to Fly
by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
By heeding their wise grandmother's advice, a brother and sister discover the ability to lift themselves up and imagine a better world.
Your Name Is a Song
by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow; illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Saddened by her classmates' and teacher's mispronunciations of her name, a girl is empowered by her discovery that names are like songs when she and her mom celebrate the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names.
Summaries provided or adapted via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.