All the Wonders

A list of books to inspire young people to channel emotions into action for justice & peace.

In this wordless story about a circle of kindness, a boy leaves the lion's share of his fresh muffin with a homeless man sleeping on a park bench. When the man awakes, he shares crumbs with two birds that feed them to a fledgling.

A very simple story that challenges gender stereotypes and shows 4 to 8 year olds that it is OK to be yourself. An engaging story that is more than just an educational tool; this book will assist parents and teachers in giving children the space to explore the full spectrum of gender diversity and will show children the many ways they can express their gender in a truly positive light.

A Novel Mind

A searchable database of more than 1000 traditionally published children’s books that touch on neurodiversity and/or mental health. ​

Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee's case, all sorts of species, too!

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Nothing at all was right. Everything went wrong, right down to lima beans for supper and kissing on TV. What do you do on a day like that? Well, you may think about going to Australia. You may also be glad to find that some days are like that for other people too.

"An Emotional Menagerie" offers a creative and accessible approach to fostering social and emotional learning by providing children with a framework to understand and express their feelings through poetry and illustration. Through engaging with the animal-inspired emotions in the book, children not only expand their emotional vocabulary but also learn valuable skills in recognizing, managing, and communicating their emotions effectively, contributing to their overall emotional intelligence and well-being.

This wonderful and engaging 1st book in a trilogy that includes Steps and Stones and Peace, and Bugs and Understanding, gives children and caregivers a concrete practice for dealing with anger and other difficult emotions.

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me embraces the philosophy that we are all part of a wide spectrum of neurodiversity. And on those really bad, rotten days, you can always count on family to be there for you.

This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance, from an award-winning creator.

This is an ideal break-the-ice book for the first week of school. It get children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class, and it's the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion.

American Association of School Librarians

Resources and ideas for creating a collaborative SEL lessons.

"This delightful tale of confusion and compassion is just the ticket to defuse potential teasing." — School Library

Inside Out 2 can be used to teach SEL by discussing strategies for managing emotions and exploring what makes healthy relationships.

David realizes that making excuses makes him feel bad, and saying he's sorry makes him feel better.

Some people love hugs; other people don't. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There's only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not.

Dream Big, Little One features eighteen trailblazing Black women in American history, including heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary thing.

Earth Is Holding You is an all-ages illustrated book by author Pixie Lighthorse and painter Flora Bowley. This lovely, free-flowing book offers gentle guidance to develop our relationship with the earth in order to help us handle the big feelings that arise as we live life and pursue our dreams.

An immigrant family embarks on their first camping trip in the Midwest in this lively picture book by Ambreen Tariq, outdoors activist and founder of @BrownPeopleCamping.

A lovely, lyrical picture book with gorgeous illustrations that explores the ways the wild makes itself known to us and how much closer it is than we think.

When two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, first meet, they are hostile toward each other based on traditional rivalries, but after they suddenly have to work together to save a baby in danger, the boys begin to discover what they have in common.

Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings.

A delightful book that introduces children to a range of emotions through expressive produce characters. With charming illustrations and engaging storytelling, this book encourages readers to explore and understand their own feelings while celebrating the colorful world of emotions.

This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and talented newcomer artist Keturah A. Bobo.

If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other.

In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions.

This creatively wacky exploration of the invisible things that make up the human experience encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.

Jabari's journey of overcoming his fear of jumping off the diving board with the patient encouragement of his father and his own determination embodies the social and emotional learning themes of perseverance, facing challenges, and seeking support when needed.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez create a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique.

Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you?

Outstanding read-aloud stories for families, teachers, librarians, babysitters, camp counselors, and of course, children. Some storeis are original, some are based on traditional tales from other cultures, and some are new twists on familiar stories, but all are laced with humor and northwoods lore. A brief nature lesson is included at the end of each tale.

From actor Avan Jogia comes a raw and moving collection of poetry, stories, and art about living as a mixed-race person in a world increasingly fixated on racial identity.

This book suggests that colors may evoke as many emotions as there are people to look at them—and opens up infinite possibilities for seeing the world in a wonderful new way.

Through the main character young readers will learn to describe how they’re feeling in a unique way.

This thoughtful, engaging book is packed with helpful hints, tips, and techniques for helping children learn to recognize and express their emotions.

This imaginative and tender story explores the creative process, abstract art, friendship, and the universal desire to feel understood.

s budding young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, they also learn about accepting each other's differences and how it sometimes just takes one voice to make everyone count.

A beloved storyline as it stirs a whole new generation on to more random acts of kindness--proving one child's compassion and empathy really can change the world.

Rhythmic, powerful language shows us how our world is made and the many ways Outside comes in to help and heal us, and reminds us that we are all part of a much greater universe. Emotive illustrations evoke the beauty, simplicity, and wonder that await us all . . . outside.

Created by Shannon McClintock Miller for teachers and librarians – Picture Books to teach SEL.

Mo Willems has crafted a funny story about the challenges of doing the right thing.

A tender story that explores BIG feelings and includes a wise take on tantrums and learning how to feel like yourself again!

This short book is rich with the power of awe and human connection. It celebrates a loving relationship between a ten year old and her grandmother who is losing her sight. They playfully make Lebanese food together at a nursing home and discover that they have each "heard" the city's snowfall, but in new ways.”

An instant classic in the world of Social-Emotional Learning, this bestselling picture book tells the story of one little boy with some big, big emotions -- and how he learns to see them for the gifts they are.

A fun board book to help young readers understand and express their feelings.

A poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

Demi's exquisite art and beautifully simple text show how Ping's embarrassing failure is turned triumphant in this satisfying tale of honesty rewarded.

"The Invisible String" is a heartwarming picture book that helps children cope with separation anxiety, loss, and grief by illustrating the unbreakable connections of love that bind us all. Through a mother's explanation of an invisible string made of love, the story reassures children that they are always connected to their loved ones, fostering emotional resilience and opening up deeper conversations about love and connection.

Words, the woods, and the world illuminate this quest to save the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.

This is an uplifting book that's all about resiliency. It highlights the benefit of practice and perseverance.

Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.

A bold, humorous, and surprisingly insightful picture book that personifies "problems" as creatures, and skillfully teaches readers (big and small!) how to handle one when it appears.

Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali bring readers an uplifting, universal story of new experiences, the unbreakable bond between siblings, and of being proud of who you are.

A reassuring and hopeful picture book to remind children that bad thoughts and feelings won't last forever. The Red Tree, is a book about feelings - feelings that can not always be simply expressed in words.

This profound and inspiring book is about compassion and being engaged in each moment.

The Way I Feel uses strong, colorful, and expressive images which go along with simple verses to help children connect the word and the emotion. Children will learn useful words giving parents, teachers, and caregivers many chances to open conversations about what’s going on in their child’s life.

The legend of Lucia Zenteno is part of the oral history of the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico-a region of Mexico renowned for its rich cultural history with roots that go back many centuries before Columbus. Alejandro Cruz Martinez, the Zapotec poet who wrote down the original version of The Woman Who Outshone the Sun, later gave up his life in his struggle to help win back the water rights of the Zapotec people.

A striking and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating the special relationship between father and son.

Author-illustrator Kelly Leigh Miller puts a whimsically futuristic spin to the age-old dilemma convincing nap-resistant kiddos that everyone needs to take time to rest.

Today I Feel Silly helps children understand and appreciate their shifting moods. Relatable and funny, perfect for sharing with anyone struggling with moods.

Visiting Feelings invites children to sense, explore, and befriend any feeling with acceptance and equanimity.

A picture book that honors Indigenous-led movements across the world. Powerfully written and gorgeously illustrated, We Are Water Protectors, issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and curruption―inviting young readers everywhere to join the fight.

This warm and comforting back-to-school favorite is from Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Kitten's First Full Moon, and Chrysanthemum.

The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to.

In this Caldecott Honor book, kids will see what Sophie does when she gets angry. What do you do?

This multicultural environmental tale is inspired by a 1,000 year old animal fable from 10th century Muslim Iraq, which was originally translated by a Jewish rabbi at the command of a Christian king in the 14th century.

We Need Diverse Books

A list of sites that offer recommendations for diverse titles.

To celebrate The United Nation's World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, the IFSEL Team is excited to share some fascinating resources.

With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.