Social Emotional Learning Collection

Check out RIF's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) collection with titles that share stories and lessons as children understand and manage emotions, feel and show empathy, and explore relationships and decision-making.

To explore more SEL resources, visit RIF's Social Emotional Learning Center.

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Ruby René Had So Much to Say

Written by Ashley Iman and Illustrated by Gladys Jose

“Did you know that flamingos don’t have teeth?” Questions, facts, and dreams—Ruby René could talk...

Pre-K - 3rd

Don't Hug the Quokka!

Written by Daniel Errico and Illustrated by Mia Powell

That quokka may be cute, but does it want a hug? The quokka says “No!” In Don't Hug That Quokka!...

Pre-K - 3rd

Tomatoes in My Lunchbox

Written by Costantia Manoli and Illustrated by Magdalena Mora

A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first...

Pre-K - 3rd

Mel Fell

Written and Illustrated by Corey R. Tabor

An innovative and charming tale about a plucky little bird. Readers will delight in turning their...

Pre-K - 3rd

Jenny Mei Is Sad

Written and Illustrated by Tracy Subisak

My friend Jenny Mei is sad. But you might not be able to tell.

Jenny Mei still smiles a lot. She...

Pre-K - 3rd

Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective

Written by Elizabeth Olsen & Robbie Arnett and Illustrated by Marissa Valdez

Meet Hattie Harmony, Worry Detective.

She’s always there to help her friends when they need her...

Pre-K - 3rd
15239

Enemy Pie

Written by Derek Munson and Illustrated by Tara Calahan King
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and...
Pre-K - 7th
20748

Boy + Bot

Written by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
A slight misunderstanding between two friends shows the difference between the needs of a boy and...
Pre-K - K

A Bike Like Sergio's

Written by Maribeth Boelts and Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

Finders keepers, right? When Ruben picks up someone’s lost money, he finds out how hard it can be to...

K - 3rd
15188

Rabbit's Snow Dance

Written by James & Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Jeff Newman
Rabbit is impatient. He wants things when he wants things and right now he wants to see some snow...
Pre-K - K
15824

Elephant and Piggie: My Friend Is Sad

Written by Mo Willems
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that...
Pre-K - 3rd

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

Written by Britney Winn Lee and Illustrated by Jacob Souva

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is relatable for any child – especially for a child experiencing...

Pre-K - 2nd

My Mouth Is A Volcano

Written by Julia Cook and Illustrated by Carrie Hartman

Louis always interrupts! All of his thoughts are very important to him, and when he has something to...

K - 3rd

Wemberly Worried

Written by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worries about everything—especially about making friends. As the first day of school...
Pre-K - 1st

Alan's Big, Scary Teeth

Written and Illustrated by Jarvis

A goofy and lonely denizen of the jungle has just one talent — scaring other creatures with his big...

Pre-K - K

Niko Draws a Feeling

Written by Robert Raczka and Illustrated by Simone Shin

Niko loves to draw his world: the ring-a-ling of the ice cream truck, the warmth of sun on his face...

K - 3rd

The Spaces In Between

Written by Jaspreet Kaur and Illustrated by Manjit Thapp

Traffic! Road works! Ambulances! Where do you go when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too...

Pre-K - 2nd

Red Red Red

Written and Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Every toddler feels frustrated sometimes, every toddler gets ANGRY. They scream, they shout, they...

Pre-K - 2nd

Even Superheroes Have Bad Days

Written by Shelly Becker and Illustrated by Eda Kaban

All kids have trouble getting a grip on their emotions, sometimes—even young superheroes! But what...

K - 4th

A Spark in the Dark

Written and Illustrated by Pam Fong

Whether you are mad, sad, scared, or lost in the dark, there’s always hope—a spark of light to lead...

Pre-K - 3rd

Jamie's Class Has Something to Say: A Book About Sharing with Grown-Ups

Written by Afsaneh Moradian and Illustrated by Maria Bogade

Jamie is excited for Family Day and all the visitors that will be coming to the classroom. As the...

Pre-K - 3rd

Feeling Jealous! (Everyday Feelings)

Written by Kay Barnham and Illustrated by Mike Gordon

Lucy is very good at helping those around her. She helps one friend feel less jealous of a sibling's...

K - 4th

When I Feel Afraid/Cuando tengo miedo (Learning to Get Along®: English and Spanish Edition)

Written by Cheri J. Meiners and Illustrated by Meredith Johnson

In English and Spanish, help children understand their fears and teach them simple coping skills.

It...

Pre-K - 3rd

Gentle Hands and other Sing-Along Songs for Social-Emotional Learning

Written by Amadee Ricketts and Illustrated by Ashley Barron

La, la, la! Shake up your story time with these twelve sing-along songs based on classic tunes kids...

Pre-K - K

Exploring Emotions: A Mindfulness Guide to Understanding Feelings (Everyday Mindfulness)

Written by Paul Christelis and Illustrated by Elise Paganelli

When a big day brings out lots of big feelings for a group of children, mindfulness helps them cope...

K - 4th

Violet the Snowgirl: A Story of Loss and Healing

Written by Lisa Walsh and Illustrated by Wendy Leach

When third grader Jerzie wakes up the day after her birthday, she feels grumpy. Her birthday cheer...

K - 5th

More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean

Written and Illustrated by Roz MacLean

Nathan doesn't say much.
He sure has a lot on his mind, though.

At school, Nathan quietly observes the...

Pre-K - 3rd

BIG

Written and Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of...

Pre-K - 4th

I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu

Written by Refiloe Moahloli and Illustrated by Zinelda McDonald

I Am You: A Book about Ubuntu by Refiloe Moahloli, introduces young readers to the concept of Ubuntu...

Pre-K - 2nd

Beautifully Me

Written by Nabela Noor and Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

This is a heartwarming picture book about Zubi, a young Bangladeshi girl who starts questioning her...

Pre-K - 3rd

Amma's Sari

Written by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Illustrated by Michelle Pereira

This book tells the story of 6-year-old Shreya, a second-generation migrant navigating her dual...

Pre-K - 5th

Brilliant Bea

Written by Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich and Illustrated by Fiona Lee

Despite her struggles with reading and writing, Beatrice is a natural and brilliant storyteller...

Pre-K - 3rd

Areli Is a Dreamer

Written by Areli Morales and Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

In the first picture book written by a DACA Dreamer, Areli Morales tells her own powerful and...

Pre-K - 3rd

Saturday at the Food Pantry

Written by Diane O'Neill and Illustrated by Brizida Magro

The story follows Molly and her mom, who don't always have enough food at home. One Saturday, they...

Pre-K - 3rd

The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding

Written by Karina Nicole González and Illustrated by Krystal Quiles

A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico...

Pre-K - 3rd
20882

Red: A Crayon's Story

Written by Michael Hall

Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let's...

Pre-K - 3rd
20656

Thank You, Omu!

Written by Oge Mora

Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow...

Pre-K - 3rd
15163

Each Kindness

Written by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by E.B.Lewis

When a strange new girl comes to her school, Chloe and her friends don't play or talk with her...

K - 3rd
20883

The Invisible Boy

Written by Trudy Ludwig and Illustrated by Patrice Barton

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their...

1st - 4th

I Love My Body Because

Written by Shelly Anand & Nomi Ellenson and Illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina

Everybody has a body and every body is good. Your body takes you where you want to go. Your body is...

Pre-K - 3rd

NO Is All I Know!

Written by Chris Grabenstein and Illustrated by Leo Espinosa

Do you know anyone like Oliver McSnow...who only knows the word NO?!

Introducing a story about the...

Pre-K - 2nd

How to Train Your Amygdala

Written by Anna Housley Juster and Illustrated by Cynthia Cliff

Your amygdala works hard to protect you from danger, but what about when it gets things wrong? This...

Pre-K - 3rd
20425

Stuck

Written by Oliver Jeffers
When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it...
Pre-K - 2nd

I Can't Find My Whatchamacallit!!

Written by Julia Cook and Illustrated by Michelle Hazelwood Hyde

Cletus and Bocephus are cousins, yet they are nothing alike. Extremely creative Cletus, can't find...

K - 7th

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

Written by JoAnn Deak Ph.D. and Illustrated by Sarah Ackerley

Learn how much your brain can grow! The perfect introduction to growth mindset, Your Fantastic...

Pre-K - 3rd

Molly's Great Discovery

Written by Krista Weltner

Molly gets diagnosed with dyslexia and learns it's okay to ask for help when she needs it.

Molly has...

Pre-K - 3rd

Everything Changes: And That's OK

Written by Carol Dodd and Illustrated by Erin Huybrechts

Change is all around, but it can be overwhelming! Explore how change exists everywhere in a way that...

Pre-K - 2nd

The Power of Yeti

Written by Rebecca Van Slyke and Illustrated by G. Brian Karas

When a little boy can't keep up with the other kids, his new friend Yeti reveals a trick that makes...

Pre-K - 2nd

Invisible Things

Written by Andy J. Pizza and Illustrated by Sophie Miller

This creatively wacky exploration of the invisible things that make up the human experience...

Pre-K - 3rd

Taco Falls Apart

Written by Brenda S. Miles and Illustrated by Monika Filipina

Taco Falls Apart gets kids thinking about how their thoughts shape feelings and behavior. Friendly...

Pre-K - 3rd

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Illustrated by Oge Mora

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married...

K - 3rd

The Magical Yet

Written by Angela DiTerlizzi and Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez

Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion—the Yet. Can't tie your...

Pre-K - 3rd
15225

The Most Magnificent Thing

Written and Illustrated by Ashley Spires
This book follows a young girl and her best friend as she attempts to create the most magnificent...
Pre-K - 2nd
15205

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Written by Laurie Ann Thompson and Illustrated by Sean Qualls

Though he was born with a physical disability, Emmanuel quickly proves that he is just as capable as...

Pre-K - 3rd

The Dot

Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Vashti couldn’t draw and was resisting trying in her art class. Her teacher gently encouraged her...
K - 5th

What Does It Mean to Be Kind?

Written by Rana DiOrio and Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

What Does It Mean to Be Kind? is a rare kindness book for children because it uses a proactive, not...

Pre-K - 3rd
15283

No, David!

Written and Illustrated by David Shannon
Little children love to get into mischief, and David is no exception. He loves to play in the mud...
Pre-K - 3rd
15976

Visiting Feelings

Written by Lauren Rubenstein, JD and PsyD and Illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger
Beautifully descriptive prose and delightful illustrations cultivate a message of mindfulness and...
Pre-K - 3rd
15644

Clark the Shark

Written by Bruce Hale and Illustrated by Guy Francis
Clark is an overly boisterous shark who loves life but also needs to be told when to behave properly...
Pre-K - 3rd

Ruby Finds A Worry

Written by Tom Percival

Meet Ruby -- a happy, curious, imaginative young girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected...

Pre-K - 2nd

Be You!

Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Be curious...

Be adventurous...

Be brave...

BE YOU!

Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that...

Pre-K - 3rd