7 Days of Books, Day 4 Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

7 Days of Books continues with Social-Emotional Learning books today! If you'd like to earn chances to win one of the giveaways, see this post from day one. Either way, please share your own favorite titles on this topic with others in the comments!

It Will Be OK by Lisa Katzenberger, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett (Sourcebooks 2021). 

A tender story about how worries can be soothed and overcome through the patience and listening of friends. A must-have book that relates to the experiences of so many young readers.

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (G. P. Putnam's Sons). 

An upbeat book that shows the different ways that people can be greeted during hellos and departed during goodbyes and how feelings of others can be respected and celebrated.

Kindness is a Kite String by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Claire LaForte (Cardinal Rule Press). 

A book that shows how kindness spreads in a community in simple, lyrical language involving similes and metaphors that young children can understand. 

The New Kid Has Fleas! by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Eda Kaban (Roaring Brook Press 2021). 

A story that shows how fabricating falsehoods about a new student can backfire, while also showing kindness and new friendships win out. I especially love the inscription the Ame writes in the copies of this book that she signs. "New kid = New friend!"

My Big Dumb Invisible Dragon by Angie Lucas, illustrated by Birgitta Sif (Sounds True 2019). 

When a boy unexpectedly loses his mother, his grief takes the shape of an invisible dragon that comes and lands on his head and follows him everywhere. As the narrator's grief slowly fades, the dragon does, too. I especially love this tender book for the message it shares -- that you can't see an invisible dragon by looking straight at it, but you can tell if one is there by looking at the person underneath. A must-read for the development and understanding of young friends who are struggling with similar issues.

Sticks and Stones by Patricia Polacco (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers 2020). 

This story shares multiple layers in the kindness that shown by a couple of students to the new kid in the classroom combined with the bullying and lack of acceptance shown by others as the three friends navigate the school year, learn about each other and their interests, and eventually triumph over adversity. 

Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Irene Chan (Henry Holt 2019). 

A celebration of kindness in its many forms. What I liked most about this book is that illustrations provide unexpected and surprising connections between the giver and receiver of different acts of kindness.

Maybe Tomorrow by Charlotte Agell, illustrated by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez (Scholastic Press 2019) is a story of kindness, empathy, and patience as one friend helps another move through the weight of sadness, represented by a block that she takes with her wherever she goes. Through the companionship of a patient and devoted friend, the block loses weight as the story progresses.