8 Powerful SEL Picture Books to Use in Your Elementary Classroom + Grab Your Freebie Reflection Form

Social-emotional learning (SEL) plays a critical role in helping students navigate emotions, build relationships, and grow into compassionate individuals. One of the most powerful ways to introduce SEL concepts in an elementary classroom is through picture books.

Here are eight impactful SEL read-alouds, complete with themes and lesson ideas, that can spark meaningful conversations with your students. After reading, put some of these reading reflection forms in your calm down corner. Students can use them to implement SEL skills into their daily life and routine.

1. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Theme: Inclusion, empathy, kindness
This heartwarming story follows Brian, a quiet boy who often feels invisible until a new student shows him kindness.
Classroom Idea: Create a class discussion around “invisible” moments and how small acts of inclusion can make a big difference.

2. Don’t Think About Purple Elephants by Susan Whelan

Theme: Anxiety, calming strategies
A story about a girl whose worries come at night, until her mother offers an imaginative way to cope.
Classroom Idea: Teach students how to redirect worry thoughts by imagining something silly or comforting.

3. My Magic Breath by Nick Ortner & Alison Taylor

Theme: Mindfulness, breathing techniques
This interactive book encourages kids to use their breath to manage feelings and calm down.
Classroom Idea: Introduce this during morning meetings or before tests as a mindfulness routine.

Art connection: Make a class book where students draw their own “magic breath”- put it in the calm down corner for students to look at when needing a minute to calm down.

4. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

Theme: Friendship, conflict resolution
A clever dad helps his son turn an “enemy” into a friend using a secret recipe—Enemy Pie.
Classroom Idea: Have students write a recipe for friendship or role-play conflict resolution strategies.

5. After the Fall by Dan Santat

Theme: Resilience, overcoming fear
Find out what happens to Humpty Dumpty after his great fall—an inspiring tale of bravery and perseverance.
Classroom Idea: Connect this book to growth mindset lessons or journal about a time students overcame fear.

6. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

Theme: Gratitude, needs vs. wants
Jeremy wants trendy shoes like his classmates, but ultimately discovers kindness and generosity are more important.
Classroom Idea: Use this to open discussions about empathy, giving, and recognizing privilege.

7. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Theme: Regret, kindness, missed opportunities
This powerful book shows how one girl’s missed chance to be kind stays with her.
Classroom Idea: Reflect on the ripple effect of kindness with writing prompts or class challenges.

8. The Bad Seed by Jory John

Theme: Behavior, self-perception, change
A funny but touching story about a seed who believes he’s “bad,” and how he chooses to change.
Classroom Idea: Use it to discuss labeling, growth, and making positive choices every day.

📘 Make SEL Meaningful with Read-Alouds

These picture books offer more than just stories—they open the door to deeper conversations, reflection, and classroom community building. Whether you’re doing morning meetings or SEL mini-lessons, these titles fit naturally into your routine.

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After reading: Use this reading reflection sheet. Students can respond and reflect on the books you use in the classroom to help teach those important SEL skills.

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Do you have any great picture books that you use to teach SEL strategies in your classroom? Share them with us- we always love to see what other teachers are doing in their classrooms.