Book List to Support Social-Emotional Learning
The TD Grade One Book Giveaway endeavors to feature characters of different ethnicities, cultures, genders, family structures, and abilities. This year, we sought a picture book with the theme of social-emotional learning (SEL). In today’s climate, this is very relevant to teachers, parents and children. SEL encompasses the processes that children go through as they develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills and it is vital for building understanding of others and feeling empathy. Topics that fall under the umbrella of social-emotional learning may include feelings, friendship, emotional regulation, inclusion, building resiliency, anti-bullying, working with others, developing community, and supporting mental well-being. We received a number of titles for consideration; Violet Shrink was ultimately selected as this year’s giveaway book. However, below you will find a list of of wonderful titles to support social-emotional learning.
Abuelita and Me
Written by Leonarda CarranzaWhen a girl and her grandmother venture out into the city, it isn’t always fun. On the bus and at the grocery store, people are impatient and suspicious—sometimes they even yell. Sad, angry, and scared, the girl decides not to leave home again... until a moment of empowerment helps her see the strength she and her grandmother share when they face the world together.
Charlie's Balloons:
A Story of Big Emotions
Hi! I’m Charlie. In my mind and in my body, all my emotions fight to take up as much space as they can. I like to picture my feelings as balloons. Sometimes they’re so light they float away. Other times, they’re so heavy it’s like they’re filled with water… For highly sensitive kids and the parents, teachers, and families who love them.
David Jumps In
Written by Alan WooIt is David's first day at his brand-new school. At recess, he stands alone and watches the other children on the playground. Bundled inside David's pocket is a colourful string of rubber bands, knotted and ready for a game of elastic skip. But will anyone want to try that game? Will anyone want to play with him?
I Hope / nipakosêyimon
Written by Monique Gray SmithI hope that you and those you love know joy… The hopes we have for the children in our lives are endless. We want our young people to thrive and experience all that life has to offer. Looking to a bright future for all children, Monique Gray Smith shares a heartfelt message of love and encouragement. Available in English and Plains Cree.
I Am Not a Tin Can!
Written and illustrated by BarrouxIn this unique picture book, a boy and a robot debate whether the robot is just a tin can or an intelligent being capable of real friendship. Through their interaction, the boy comes to understand the importance of empathy and caring, the robot discovers what happiness feels like, and both characters discover the meaning of friendship.
Jungle Cat
Written by Andrew LarsenBob is an orange tabby cat with big dreams. He lives in a safe and friendly apartment building with his human, Pippa, but Bob knows he is more than an indoor cat—he's a Jungle Cat! When he sneaks outside to chase after his dream, Bob's adventure suddenly gets too wild. It's a good thing jungle cats know when to ask for help!
Love Is in the Bear
Written by Judith HendersonThis tender celebration of loyalty, friendship, and song is brought to life with Judith Henderson’s lyrical text and the soft, magical illustrations of Nahid Kazemi. Together, Bird and Bear face the music and find that the strongest connections can weather the most difficult disappointments with empathy, resilience, and mutual support.
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
Written by Christine BaldacchinoMorris loves using his imagination and he dreams about having space adventures. His favourite place in his classroom is the dress-up centre—because he loves wearing the tangerine dress! But the children in Morris’s class don’t understand. Dresses are for girls, astronauts don’t wear dresses! Warm, dreamy illustrations perfectly capture Morris’s vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.
No Help Wanted!
Written and illustrated by Ruth OhiPosy always has a plan, and she is determined to see her plans through. But when she eagerly takes charge of the new classroom pet, things don't go according to plan. Bluey the beta fish suffers under all the special attention, and he starts looking worse and worse. Posy fears everyone will blame her. Can she admit she needs help to bring her new friend back around?
Oliver Bounces Back!
Written by Alison HughesEyewitness testimony confirms that Oliver is having a pretty lousy day. Oliver gets mad, gets quiet, gets sad, starts to talk, and then really takes charge. By lunch recess, he has the whole class literally bouncing around the playground, as he’s discovered the exhilaration of bouncing back from a bad day. Tips and tools on anxiety and resiliency appear at the end of the book.
Over-Scheduled Andrew
Written and illustrated byAshley Spires
May isn't having fun on her trip through Chinatown with her grandfather. Gong Gong doesn't speak much English, and May can't understand Chinese. She's hungry and bored with Gong Gong's errands. But just when May can’t take any more, Gong Gong surprises her with gifts that reveal he’s been paying attention all along.
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox
Written and illustrated byDanielle Daniel
In this introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals, children, wearing masks representing their chosen animal, explain why they identify with different creatures such as a deer, beaver or moose. The author’s note explains the importance of totem animals in Anishinaabe culture and how they also act as animal guides, instructing and protecting children as they navigate their physical and spiritual life.
Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak
Written by Danielle DanielTwelve lyrical poems each look at a different tree, from early spring to deep winter. In each poem, a child identifies with a feature of the tree. The poems provide an opportunity to learn about each tree, inspiring us to look afresh at the trees around us and get to know them better. In the pages following the poems, children are invited to consider what different kinds of trees might mean to them.
Sometimes I Feel Like a River
Written by Danielle DanielIn each of these 12 short poems, a child tells readers how or why they feel like the sun, a river, a mountain, a rainbow, and more. Their deeply felt connections and identification with these wonders point to how much we are part of the natural world. A gentle reminder to protect our environment while delighting in all its beauty.
Spork
Written by Kyo MaclearSpork is neither spoon nor fork but, rather, a bit of both. His parents think he's perfect just the way he is. Only, Spork doesn’t fit in with the other cutlery and he longs to find the place he belongs. Then one day a ‘messy thing’ arrives… Will Spork finally find his place at the table?
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do
Written and illustrated byAshley Spires
Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she’s sure she can’t do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn’t work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them – her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn’t climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn’t want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?
Waking Ben Doldrums
Written by Heather SmithEvery morning, Frida and her neighbours wake each other by knocking on the ceilings and walls of their apartments. This morning tradition makes Frida feel like she’s part of something big. But one day, Ben Doldrums, the student who lives upstairs, stops knocking. Frida notices that Ben Doldrums is not himself and she wants to help. But how?
What If I’m Not a Cat?
Written by Kari-Lynn WintersDonkey’s sure he is a cat. He licks his fur and struts around the barnyard with all the other cats. Though sometimes he does feel… a little off. One day, Farmer says to him, “Donkey, you’re acting like a cat!” and Donkey has a worrying thought…What if he’s not a cat? And if not, then what is he?
Willow’s Whispers
Written by Lana ButtonWhen Willow speaks, her words slip out as soft and shy as a secret. At school, her barely audible whisper causes her no end of troubles. But Willow is as resourceful as she is quiet, and she fashions a magic microphone from items she finds in the recycling bin. But Willow’s clever invention is only a temporary solution. How will this quiet little girl make herself heard?