My top choice SEL-friendly books for the classroom

[NikiReynolds]

Book 1: "The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton 

Brian is a student who feels invisible to everyone at school. He is invisible to his teacher who has to focus on kids being unruly,  he is often left out of birthday party invites, and he is not only last to be picked for sports at recess, he is left out completely. This all changes as a new student joins the class and instead of following suit with the others, Justin encourages the others to include Brian.

How Might This Book Support Personal Growth?

This book encourages young readers to include everyone so that nobody feels left out. 

How Might This Book Teach the Lesson of Respecting Differences Among Children?

The book does not categorize Brian as having any specific traits that would make him different. Although, there is usually a reason why someone is left out to such a degree from everyone else in the class. Upon reading this book as a class, the teacher could make up any number of differences Brian has compared to his classmates in order to teach their students that it is not okay to leave others out because they are different from you. 

How Might This Book Offer Experiences to Children that Promote a Sense of Being a Successful Reader?

This book is not an overly difficult read for young readers. The length of the book would promote a sense of being a successful reader. This book is for grades K-2 but it includes 40 pages. Students in these earlier grades do not often read books made up of 40 pages. 

Book 2: "I Just Don't Like the Sound NO!" by Julia Cook illustrated by Kelsey De Weerd

RJ is a typical child who gets frustrated by the word no. Rather than take "no" for an answer, RJ argues with his parents and his teachers when he asks a question and the answer is "no". Luckily, the teacher has a plan to break RJ of this annoying habit that teaches him how to respectfully take "no" for an answer. 

How Might This Book Support Personal Growth?

Everyone has to hear the word "no" once in a while. By teaching students early that this is a normal part of life, it creates less frustration upon hearing the word "no". Being able to gracefully accept rejection is a necessary life skill.  

How Might This Book Teach the Lesson of Respecting Differences Among Children?

As children grow up, their interests will change. There will be times when a child will ask another child to do this activity together and the child will decline due to lack of interest. As frustrating as this answer may be, it is up to the first child to respect the second child and walk away rather than fighting it out. 

How Might This Book Offer Experiences to Children that Promote a Sense of Being a Successful Reader?

This book is best for children ages 5 to 11. As a new reader, this book is simple enough to be able to independently read it for the most part making this one of the first books a child will read. With 32 pages, it is just enough to be overwhelming to some but once they master enough to be able to read this book independently that beginning struggle will have the student beaming in pride at having completed the task.

Book 3: "Beat, Beat, Thump" by Alison Edwards illustrated by Steliyana Doneva

The main character of the book describes the way his heart feels in his chest in different situations. He can feel the beat, beat, thump of his chest doing normal things such as taking a test, and getting ready for school. Throughout the book he is thinking of ways to alleviate the sound he is hearing from his chest when he realizes he is able to combat his anxiety using different methods.  

How Might This Book Support Personal Growth?

This book is about a child who is learning to cope and manage their anxiety that they face on a daily basis. This book is excellent for children who do not realize that that feeling in their chest is not normal and there are ways to manage anxiety to make it better.

How Might This Book Teach the Lesson of Respecting Differences Among Children?

Children who do not suffer from anxiety would have no idea what a person who does have high anxiety would be going through. With this book, they are able to receive a better understanding and with that knowledge, with this knowledge they are more prepared to help a friend or classmate who is suffering from anxiety even though it is different from anything they have ever felt. 

How Might This Book Offer Experiences to Children that Promote a Sense of Being a Successful Reader?

This book is a simple read so it is good for younger readers. As young readers are able to independently read this book, they will reach a sense of being successful.

References: 

Edwards, A. (2022, December 6). Live reading of beat, beat, thump by author, Allison Edwards. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYsj3oiqkXQ

Mr. Baker’s Bookshelf. (2017, September 7). The invisible boy by Trudy Ludwig. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNHc2XCultQ

ReadingTime. (2023, September 25). I just don’t like the sound no! by Julia Cook ~ read aloud. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RyfGnwZt74