A Great Collection Of Books

Connects to Social and Emotional Learning 

For 25 years, Open Circle has been helping children acquire the skills they need to build and maintain positive relationships.  

For many of those years, teachers have turned to children’s literature to deepen children’s understanding of themselves and 

ary, we offer our “Top 25” children’s books that connect to social and 

emotional learning. Of the countless books that teachers use to shed light on such issues as friendship, inclusion, empathy, 

problem solving, or understanding differences, some titles stand out for being especially authentic and memorable. C.S.  Lewis 

says, “We read to know we are not alone.” Like good friends, the books on this list are potential sources of comfort, validation, 

l1. The Hundred Dresses*, Eleanor Estes (grades 3–5) 

2. Crow Boy, Taro Yashima (grades 2–5) 

3. Yesterday I Had the Blues, Saxton Freeman (grades 2–5) 

4. Henry and the Kite Dragon, Bruce Edward Hall (grades 3–5) 

5. Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg (grades 2–4) 

6. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes (grades K–3) 

5. Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg (grades 2–4) 

6. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes (grades K–3) 

7. I Miss Franklin P. Shuckles, Ulana Shihura (grades 1–3) 

8. Danitra Brown, Class Clown, Nikki Grimes (grades 3–5) 

9. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy*, Gary Schmidt (grade 5) 

10. Wonder*, R.J. Palacio (grades 3–5) 

11. Rules*, Cynthia Lord (grades 3–5) 

12. Anything But Typical*, Nora Raleigh Baskin (grade 5) 

13. When Sophie gets Angry, Really Angry, Molly Bang (grades K–1) 

14. My Name is María Isabel*, Alma Flor Ada (grades 3–4) 

15. Thank you Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco (grades 4–5) 

16. Yoon and the Jade Bracelet, Helen Recorvits (grades 3–4) 

17. The Teddy Bear, David McPhail (grades 3–5) 

18. Mouse Was Mad, Linda Urban (grades K–1) 

19. Teammates, Peter Golenbock (grades 4–5) 

20. Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes (grades K–1) 

21. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key*, Jack Gantos (grades 4–5) 

22. Also Known as Harper*, Ann Haywood Leal (grade 5) 

23. How to Steal a Dog*, Barbara O’Connor (grade 5) 

24. Becoming Naomi Leon*, Pam Munoz Ryan (grades 3–5) 

25. Willow’s Whispers, Lana Button (grades K–1)