7 Books that Help Kids Navigate Big Emotions
In the post-COVID era, social emotional learning is a very important topic. In the past two years, many educators and parents have requested books that can assist the children in thriving in their social emotional lives. If you are looking to purchase a social emotional learning book as a gift for the holiday season, then consider the books below!
Looking for an engaging book that intertwines superheroes and social emotional learning? Then you should consider adding Lava in My Veins to your home or school library.
Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes is a must read book about a superhero named Bobby Beacon. Bobby has two superpowers fire and light. Although he has these superpowers, he struggles with self-control, which results in him misusing his powers. The misuse of his powers makes him more a villain than superhero. In order to learn how to regulate his emotions, he enrolls in a superhero school for children like himself.
After a short time at the school and a few missteps, it looks like he’s heading down a destructive path, but then he meets an amazing teacher named Ms. Brooklyn. She is different from the teachers in the school because she roots her teaching in love. Rooting her teaching in love makes him feel “seen,” which allows to him open his mind and heart to her. Bobby’s reception to her teaching allows him to learn an important self-regulation strategy, which he uses in an epic battle with a supervillain.
Derrick Barnes does a magnificent job at writing a book that sheds light on the experiences Black boys have in the educational system, while also situating the book within a superhero epic! The comic book style illustrations by Shawn Martinbrough offers young dreamers of all ages the opportunity to follow and enjoy this story. In addition the rich/bright colors are appealing to the eye. With each page, readers encounter engaging interactions that match the author’s eloquent words.
For students, this book is a tool to help them walk in their super-self. It shows Black boys that they do not have to be perfect. It shows them that they can make mistakes and still pursue a better version of themselves—just like Bobby. The book also teaches boys with tempers and important strategy to use when they encounter big emotions.
For teachers, this book illuminates the power they have in assisting children in reaching their full potential. The teacher in the book rooted her pedagogical practice in love, which assisted in Bobby learning to use his powers to do good in the world. This book also serves as a reflective tool for teachers to pose the following questions to themselves:
What does love like in my pedagogical practice?
How does my teaching inspire students to be a better version of themselves?
This book is a must add book home or school library. If you would like to purchase this book, then click the link below to get your copy.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A BOOK TO ASSIST THE YOUNG DREAMER IN YOUR LIFE IN MANAGING BIG EMOTIONS?
My Tiny Temper by author/illustrator Chris Fequiere is a must read book for parents and educators interested in social emotional learning. The story begins with the author introducing the reader to the main character’s tiny temper. As the story goes on, the main character’s temper is not tiny anymore; in fact it is a giant monster that is making him act out of control. How does he move beyond this big emotion monster? Well, the author skillfully integrates breathing exercises into the story to teach readers how to manage big emotions.
The inviting illustrations allow readers of all ages the opportunity to learn and engage with book’s powerful and important storyline. As an added bonus, the illustrations have a comic book feel to them, which parents and educators can leverage to get kids to read the book. Another thing I love about the book is that it practicalizes the strategy of breathing to aid children with big emotions by using thoughtful and engaging images.
For teachers, this book is a tool to aid children with their big emotions. Teachers can use this book as both a preventive and interventive tool. The book can be used during homeroom or a period designated for social emotional wellness.
For parents, this book is a great reinforcing tool to ensure your young dreamer knows how to manage their big emotions at home and in school. Another thing I love about this book is that the language is accessible and storyline is easy to follow.
If you are interested in adding this book to your home or school library! You can find this book on our website under the Loved Dreamer section.
In southern Africa, there is a belief called ubuntu—the idea that we are all connected. No matter where we’re from or who we are, a person is a person through their connections to other people.
With simple, lyrical text and charming artwork, this lively picture book first published in South Africa is the perfect introduction to the concept of ubuntu for young kids. A celebration of friendship and kindness, the book shows children the many ways that we are all one.
In this Caldecott Honor winner perfect for the Thanksgiving season and for fans of Last Stop on Market Street, a generous woman is rewarded by her community. A Spanish edition, ¡Gracias, Omu!, is also available for purchase.
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love. An author's note explains that "Omu" (pronounced AH-moo) means "queen" in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean "Grandma." This book was inspired by the strong female role models in Oge Mora's life.
Age Range: 3 to 6 years old
In this warm and tender story by the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Thank You, Omu!, join a mother and daughter on an up-and-down journey that reminds them of what's best about Saturdays: precious time together.
Today would be special. Today would be splendid. It was Saturday! But sometimes, the best plans don't work out exactly the way you expect....
In this heartfelt and universal story, a mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong--ruining storytime, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they'd been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown...until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.
Author-artist Oge Mora's highly anticipated follow up to Caldecott Honor Thank You, Omu! features the same magnificently radiant artwork and celebration of sharing so beloved in her debut picture book.
My Worried Worrier: A Children's Book About Battling An Army of Anxious Emotions
By Christopher Fequiere
Everyone Feels Worried Sometimes…
This is the book parents and kids are raving about. My Worried Worrier (a book best for ages 4-8) follows a girl to school as her worries tag along. She must move past her worries as they multiply so that she can get through the school day.
Especially right now, the world is scary. This book helps kids learn that sometimes we feel anxious and worry. The goal however, is to teach kids to not let their worries overcome them but that instead we must stop, take a deep breath and have a tiny chat with our anxiety so that they do not multiply into a wall of worries.
When kids and face new things, they often feel a mix of emotions. Facing something new — even when it's a good thing — can be stressful. It's natural to feel excited about what's ahead — and to worry about whether they're ready to handle it. Worry isn't all bad. It can be helpful if it doesn't last too long, become too intense, or happen too often.
This book uses illustrations to describe techniques to help children aged 4-7 keep calm and in control. Suitable for all children, but especially those with sensory and emotional regulation difficulties.
• A book about emotions, anxiety, worrying and dealing with BIG feelings
• Great for kids ages 4-8
• The social emotional learning is great for kids who are just beginning to understand their feelings and how to communicate them.
• My Worried Worrier features diverse characters to enrich your child's learning experience!
This book is great for the bookshelves of parents with early school aged children. It features diverse characters and was written by a black dad and son duo.
About the All My Emotions Series:
Each book in the series illustrates an emotion and teaches children how to recognize, work though and discuss their feelings as they occur. Combined with a Fuzzy Feeling Friend, the perfect plush companion for each book, the All My Emotions series has proven to be a hit with kids and parents. Our core values include diversity in characters, addressing the social and emotional health of all kids and creating beautiful stories that are fun and engaging.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall is a must read book. The main character Jabari wants to make a flying machine to fly across his backyard. The author skillfully presents a playful journey through the engineering process. As the main character is walking through each step of the process, his father is there to support, encourage, and advise him.
Two of his biggest bits of advice is for the main character to stay resilient and include his litter sister in the engineering process. The powerful illustrations display warm family interactions, intense problem solving, and the power of sibling teamwork. For parents, this book serves as a tool to teach us how to encourage and advise our children when they are engaging in problem solving play scenarios
