The best Feelings and SEL picture books for parents and teachers, sorted by grade. Read alouds from our channel come first.
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Picture books that help kids name big feelings and handle them in healthy ways. Teachers use these for social emotional learning; parents reach for them after a hard day.
181 books · 98 with a read aloud on our channel
A boy learns mistakes are part of learning anything. A great confidence builder for kids who hate getting it wrong.
A group of kids hits frustration and disagreement while working on something together, then talks it through. Great for showing how big feelings can be shared and worked out as a team.
Another punny Food Group story, this time about bragging and why a little humility goes a long way.
A boy feels everything in a very big way and tries to hide it, until he learns that his feelings are worth sharing. Reassuring for sensitive kids who feel things deeply.
Henry gets so mad when Ella won't share, and Grandpa and some animal friends teach him belly breathing and counting to ten. Calm down tools kids actually use.
Color Monster wakes up with all his feelings jumbled together, and a little girl helps him sort them by color. A simple, brilliant first book for naming emotions with preschoolers.
Grandpa has Henry and Ella fill a pickle jar with kind acts, and they find out kindness feels good all on its own. So easy to start a kindness jar at home after.
Todd Parr's bright, silly pictures show all the ways kids can feel, from grumpy to brave. A cheerful, reassuring first look at emotions for toddlers.
A dance recital goes wrong and she keeps going anyway. Great for kids nervous about performing.
Jim the chimp is grumpy for no reason, and his friends keep telling him how to cheer up. A funny, reassuring reminder that it's okay to have a bad mood sometimes.
Millie's egg drop project falls apart right before the STEM challenge, and she has to choose between a meltdown and a clever fix. Great for little problem solvers.
A little girl describes how each feeling lives in her heart, from twirly happiness to sadness as heavy as an elephant. Beautiful vocabulary for little ones learning to talk about emotions.
A cookie who doesn't feel smart finds out there are lots of ways to be smart. Wonderful for kids who struggle at school.
Harpreet chooses the color of his patka to match his mood, but a move to a new city makes it hard to feel bright. A gorgeous look at feelings, belonging, and Sikh culture.
Mistakes aren't the end of the world, they're how you get better. Kids cheer for her every single time.
Louis can't stop his words from erupting and interrupting everyone around him. A funny, practical book that gives kids real strategies for waiting their turn to talk.
Rosie's inventions flop, and she learns a flop is just a first try. Wonderful for young builders and dreamers.
After Taylor's block tower crashes down, one animal after another offers advice, but the rabbit simply listens. A gentle lesson for kids and grownups about how to comfort someone.
A grumpy seed decides he can change, and kids see that a bad day doesn't make you bad. Funny, honest, and one of our favorites.
Ruby's small worry grows bigger every day she ignores it, until she finally talks about it. A wonderful way to show anxious kids that sharing a worry makes it shrink.
A grape who holds every grudge learns to let things go. Laugh out loud funny with a real lesson about forgiveness.
Rhyming verses and vivid pictures show kids feeling everything from frustrated and shy to jealous and proud. A great tool for building feelings vocabulary with the littlest readers.
The Big Cheese learns Christmas isn't all about him. Full of puns and holiday heart.
When her sister grabs her toy, Sophie explodes with anger, then runs outside to calm down in nature. A Caldecott Honor book that shows kids a healthy way to cool off.
Beatrice has never made a mistake, until she does in front of everyone. A classic for perfectionists, and it's really funny.
A cheese who has to win at everything learns what really matters. Perfect for the competitive kid in your house.
A potato who never leaves the couch discovers how good the outside world feels. A fun nudge to put down the screens.
Ricky can't roll like the other rocks, so his friends find a way to help. A rhyming story about inclusion that kids ask for again and again.
Dot helps a new student find her way, and the kindness spreads. A sweet story about how one kind act grows.
A perfect egg learns he doesn't have to be perfect all the time. So good for little ones who are hard on themselves.
Being cool isn't about the clothes, it's about being kind. A great one for starting a new school year.
The Bad Seed finds out the library is pretty great. Fun for new readers and library day.
The eggs escape the store and have the best adventure. A fun spring and Easter pick from the Food Group crew.
Each crayon color shows a different feeling. A bright, simple way to give little kids words for what they feel.
When Anh gets angry, his grandfather encourages him to sit with his anger, which appears as a funny red creature. A gentle introduction to mindfulness based on Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings.
Coen wakes up feeling blue, and his family keeps trying to fix it when he just needs them close. Helpful for kids who need permission to feel sad and for the grownups who love them.
Simple rhyming text walks kids through breathing exercises for when they feel scared, sad, or mad. An easy, practical book to keep handy for calm down moments.
Pi the robot gets so anxious before a class field trip that their systems start to glitch, until a doctor shares ways to cope. A playful, reassuring look at anxiety and how to cope.
A fish who has lost his companion moves through the many feelings that come with saying goodbye. Todd Parr's gentle, simple approach makes it ideal for very young kids facing loss.
After losing someone she loves, a girl puts her heart in a bottle to keep it safe, until she learns how to let it out again. Oliver Jeffers's moving story about grief.
Little Bear worries about school, soccer, and monsters under the bed until Mama Bear helps him share his worries. A gentle book with practical tools for anxious little ones.
A young boy moves through his day noticing all kinds of feelings and learns that every one is okay. An affirming, confidence building read from Karamo Brown and his son.
A little girl discovers that she can feel happy and sad, or excited and nervous, all at the same time. A smart, reassuring book about mixed feelings that kids rarely get explained.
Gus the polar bear learns his beloved companion Ida is sick, and together they face her passing. Based on real bears at the Central Park Zoo, a tender and honest book about grief.
When two kids worry about being apart from their mom, she tells them about the invisible string of love that connects people anywhere. Comforting for separation, divorce, or missing someone who has died.
Jenny Mei smiles a lot, but her friend can tell she's sad underneath and simply stays by her side. A lovely story about how to be there for a friend.
Laura treasures a string of buttons that holds memories of her late mother, and struggles to accept her new stepmother. A gentle, moving story about grief and blended families.
Pilar loves to dance, but ballet tryouts fill her whole body with worry. A warm, encouraging story for kids who feel anxious before a performance or big moment.
Ravi is the smallest in his family, and when things feel unfair he loses his temper and turns into a roaring tiger. A great way to talk with kids about anger and using words instead.
When Evan's beloved dog dies, he lets his garden grow wild with thorns, until a stray pumpkin vine leads him back to his friends. A beautiful, gentle story about grief and healing.
Katie Honors is usually a good kid, but sometimes she gets so angry she becomes Bombaloo. A funny, honest look at anger with a loving mom who helps her come back.
Dash gets so excited that he acts before he thinks, and it keeps landing him in trouble. A funny, relatable story about impulse control with a calming trick kids can actually use.
Cora's worries, the Whatifs, follow her everywhere, especially before her big piano recital. A clever book that helps anxious kids turn scary what ifs into hopeful ones.
Sadness shows up like an unexpected guest, and a child learns to sit with it, listen to it, and care for it. A gentle, simple way to talk about sad days.
Chrysanthemum loves her name until kids at school tease her. A classic about teasing, self worth, and the teacher who changes everything.
Max sails off to be king of the wild things and comes home to a warm supper. A true classic about big feelings and being loved.
From gum in his hair to lima beans at dinner, everything goes wrong for Alexander. Kids laugh in recognition, and it reminds everyone that some days are just like that.
Camilla worries so much about fitting in that she breaks out in stripes and wilder things, until she admits she loves lima beans. A vivid classic about being true to yourself.
A stuffed rabbit learns from the wise Skin Horse that being truly loved makes you Real. Tender and bittersweet, it is a beautiful way to talk with kids about love and loss.
The Bad Seed takes on Halloween with the whole gang. Silly spooky fun without being scary.
Gerald is sad and Piggie tries everything to cheer him up. Funny and sweet, and it shows kids what being a good friend looks like.
A summer day at the pool and a lesson about including everyone. Light, funny, and kind.
A mixed up feeling that's hard to name gets sorted out one color at a time. Perfect for kids who feel a lot at once.
Sophia learns her friend Maddi doesn't have enough food at home. A gentle, important story about empathy and helping quietly.
Helps kids notice the small things that make them happy and how to grow that feeling. A sunny pick for any day.
The Good Egg gets nervous before the talent show and finds his own way to shine. An easy reader that new readers love.
Turns anger into a little red spot kids can actually picture, then gives them real ways to shrink it. Great words to borrow in the middle of a meltdown.
For the kid who says I can't. It shows how confidence grows a little at a time when you keep trying.
Ted and Unicorn go looking for a place to play with slime and end up helping fairy tale characters along the way. Messy fun with a message about helping others.
Silly pictures and a simple message about a kid's real superpower: persistence. A great confidence builder for when something feels too hard.
Frank tells the truth, a little too much of it. A funny, kind look at being honest without hurting feelings.
Unicorn and Ted Giraffe can't sell a single cupcake, so they keep trying wilder ideas. A silly, sparkly story about failure being part of success.
Brian the pig gets teased for his jeans full of pockets, until those pockets save the day. A silly, sweet story about being yourself.
An easy first look at mindfulness, with calming tricks kids can use anywhere. Our go to before bed or after a big day.
Ella gets picked for a solo and her excitement turns into nerves. She learns breathing and positive thinking tricks and sings anyway. Perfect before any big performance.
Ted is tired of chores, so he wishes his mom into a unicorn, then misses her pancakes and bedtime stories. Hilarious, with a sweet lesson about gratitude.
Shows worry as a spot that grows when you feed it and shrinks when you breathe and talk it out. A gentle way to open the door to talking about worries.
Lets kids know sadness is okay and shows what helps when it shows up. A soft, reassuring read for a heavy day.
Kiara wants to avoid mistakes until she sees they help her grow. A rhyming reminder that trying again is always a choice.
Frank the frog wants to fly, even though frogs can't. A funny, sweet story about big dreams and finding what you're great at.
After her parents divorce, Emily turns to art and decides she's in a blue period like Picasso. A thoughtful, comforting book for kids navigating a family change.
Daniela and her best friend Evelyn share one last day together before Evelyn moves away. A tender, honest look at the sadness of saying goodbye to a friend.
Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, so his mother gives him a kiss in his palm to carry with him. The classic comfort read for first days and separation worries.
Wemberly worries about everything, especially starting school, until she meets another worrier named Jewel. A sweet, reassuring pick for anxious kids before the first day.
Simple, everyday ways to be kind that little ones can try the same day. We love that kindness feels doable, not like a lecture.
Gritty Ninja wants to quit when things get hard and learns how to build grit instead. Short, clear, and easy to use as a family talking point.
Woolbur does everything his own way, even when the flock wants him to fit in. A funny celebration of being yourself.
A boy told he's too small to be a real runner grows up and runs to the top of a volcano. Based on the author's real 13 hour run, and so inspiring.
A rhyming book about the many kinds of brave, from trying again to standing up for others. Great for sparking conversations.
All the ways love shows up, from hugs to helping. Sweet for Valentine's Day or any day you want to say I love you.
Stick's popsicle melts and he feels useless, until his friends help him find a brand new purpose in a birdhouse. A sweet reminder that everyone has a place.
Marcus has ADHD and loves to build, so he tackles a class blueprint his own way. A wonderful book about different brains being a strength.
Carla's lunches look weird to her classmates, until they try them. A fun way to talk about trying new things and not judging.
A fun way to talk about gratitude around the Thanksgiving table. Kids love finding all the things they're thankful for.
Bloop is a clumsy dinosaur who struggles to make friends, until he solves a school mystery just by being himself. A funny confidence booster.
Halloween fun with a spot of positive thinking mixed in. Great for kids who get a little spooked this time of year.
Before Career Day, Mila tries out every dream job from dessert chef to rockstar ballerina. A fun, empowering book about dreaming big.
Silly, sweet, and all about the love in a family. A fun Valentine's pick for little ones.
A scribble gets left out for looking different, and the other drawings learn to welcome him. Kids love the art and the message sticks.
Mila is deaf, wears cochlear implants, and is determined to prove she can do things on her own. An empowering book about believing in yourself and asking for help.
Carla gets new glasses and worries what everyone will think. Perfect for any kid getting glasses for the first time.
A kid imagines running the classroom, with silly results. A fun back to school read that gets kids talking about rules and why we have them.
Samuel, a boy with autism, colors everything blue and gets teased, until his teacher calls his drawing a masterpiece. A warm book about accepting differences.
A plain little stone wants a big purpose and finds it by spreading kindness. Kids always want to go paint rocks after this one.
Christmas joy with a reminder about giving and gratitude. A cozy holiday read with a heart.
Dylan takes his purple monster truck on a new adventure every day, and kids learn sign language words along the way. A great first ASL book.
Jasmine's letters get mixed up when she writes, so she tells her class story through pictures. A beautiful book about kids who learn differently.
A funny look at moving and how some things, like you, stay the same. Perfect for a kid facing a move.
Ernestine has lessons every day of the week and no time to just play. A great reminder for busy families to leave room for fun.
Eager Eagle rushes and Patient Pig takes her time, and on the basketball court they learn from each other. A clever flip book where the two stories meet in the middle.
Twinkle faces his own silly fears to help a friend who lost confidence. A gentle story about bravery and friendship.
Little Lou is a pet store fish who's told nobody will pick her unless she changes. A sweet story about peer pressure and staying true to who you are.
Zozo meets a unicorn and they go on a journey that helps her see her own sparkle. A bright, rhyming reminder that you're enough just as you are.
Gabby tries out for the boys' football team and keeps going when others doubt her. Inspiring for any kid who's been told they can't.
Frog and friends wear themselves out fixing the playground, then make a smarter plan. A fun teamwork book about working smarter, not harder.
Molly Mae the cow can't make milk like her sisters, so she tries everything until she discovers amazing milkshakes. A sweet story about finding what makes you special.
A big sister watches her baby brother make a giant spaghetti mess, then learns she was a messy eater too. Sweet and funny for new big siblings.
Frog keeps stopping his race practice to help friends and learns it's okay to say no sometimes. A sweet lesson in balancing kindness and taking care of yourself.
An inspector shows up to shut down a cat's diner and ends up making a new friend. A rhyming story about choosing kindness over judgment.
Jaxon tries to cut the line at a big event and gets sent to the back. A funny, relatable lesson about waiting your turn.
In the final Bentley book, Bentley has to choose between his big dream of going to the moon and his friends. A heartfelt ending to the series about acceptance and what friendship really means.
Terry the Toad hears strange sounds on her delivery route and follows them to a surprising new friend. A rhyming story about curiosity and kindness.
Marty the lion gives in to peer pressure and picks on their elephant friend, then gets picked on himself. Bentley and friends have to choose kindness and second chances. Great for talking about bullying.
Bentley meets Julia, a girl stuck in the hospital, and comes up with a plan to cheer her up. A heartfelt reminder that a bad day isn't a bad life.
Ace the puppy makes a mess and tells a lie to cover it, and the lie keeps growing. A rhyming story that makes honesty easy to talk about.
Winston the bunny loses the blanket his mom gave him before she died, and his friends help him search. A tender book that shows love and memories stay with us.
Jaxon hands out bananas all over the park and one bonks Bentley on the head. A funny mishap that turns into a real lesson about sharing.
Leo searches for the perfect birthday flower for his mom and learns the love behind a gift matters more than perfect. Sweet for little perfectionists.
A rhyming bedtime book about kids' big dreams and the small steps it takes to reach them. A lovely confidence builder.
Roscoe is loud and bossy, and his barnyard friends help him learn to treat others how he wants to be treated. Great for talking about kindness.
Bear wants a quiet day, but Duck wants to be best friends. Funny and sweet for Valentine's Day or any day.
Peanut is too excited to sleep, so a friendly whale takes her on a calming trip to the Sleepy Sea. A lovely way to teach belly breathing at bedtime.
A dinosaur adventure about family and gratitude. Fun for little ones who love dinos and big quests.
Teddy Lou knows everything about bells except what they smell like, so he climbs a bell tower to find out. A fun story about curiosity and science.
Samsoon and her best friend Mimi share happy days with Grandma, until Samsoon has to say goodbye. A tender, gentle way to talk with kids about loss.
Best friends Marie and LeeLee turn everyday moments into adventures. Written by a speech therapist, with language building tips inside.
Roscoe can't wait his turn, and his friends show him why patience matters. Great for kids who struggle with waiting.
Lilly is sure her new baby brother Julius is the worst thing ever, until Cousin Garland criticizes him. A funny, honest Kevin Henkes story about sibling jealousy.
Mrs. Raccoon teaches Chester that bravery means doing something even when you're scared, with three simple steps and a Kissing Hand. A gentle, practical guide to courage.
Every time David gets in trouble he has an excuse, until he learns that saying sorry feels far better. A funny, honest look at owning mistakes that sparks great conversations.
Written by a mother and daughter, this book is a loving letter to girls, encouraging them to be loud, be curious, feel their feelings, and love exactly who they are.
Nancy is crushed to miss Bree's butterfly party for her grandparents' anniversary celebration. A lovely, relatable story about handling disappointment and finding joy with family.
A bird, a dog, a fox, and a squirrel each have a rotten moment, then things turn around. A cheerful reminder for little ones that a bad start can still become a good day.
Jim dreads all the dancing at Porcupine's party, and when he finally says so, his friends admit they feel the same. A funny, reassuring pick for kids who need a different way to have fun.
Jim is determined to stay awake all night at a jungle slumber party, even as his friends drift off one by one. A giggly, gentle way to talk about why sleep matters.
Page by page, playful pictures pair with heartfelt wishes like more ups than downs and more hugs than ughs. Short, sweet, and lovely to share for birthdays, graduations, or any old Tuesday.
The Pigeon is ready for his big birthday party, hot dog cake and all, but can he handle a surprise? Kids love yelling back at him, and his meltdowns are pure comedy.
On a trip to visit her grandparents in Holland, Trixie loses Knuffle Bunny and learns about growing up. A tender, perfect finale to a beloved trilogy that may bring happy tears.
Toddler Trixie leaves her beloved bunny at the laundromat and can't find the words to tell Daddy. A Caldecott Honor gem that makes parents and kids laugh at every frantic page.
Pia stumbles during a game of secret agents with her brother and her feelings totally boil over. Dr. Becky shows kids and parents alike how to stay steady and reconnect after a meltdown.
Lilly is sure she will be the flower girl at her teacher's wedding, and her disappointment is huge. How she handles it, with surprising grace, makes this a great feelings book.
Lilly adores her teacher until he takes away her musical purse, and her anger leads to a mean drawing she regrets. A funny, honest look at big feelings and making amends.
Little SPOT shares simple calming strategies kids can use when feelings get big. A go to book for building a calm down routine.
Little SPOT teaches kids simple, reassuring safety rules for everyday situations. A calm, approachable way to talk about staying safe.
Little SPOT helps kids wind down and get ready for a restful night. A calming choice for bedtime routines and kids who fight sleep.
Kids become the coach of a team of feelings, learning how to guide their emotions and keep them working together. A fun sports twist on emotional regulation.
Little SPOT helps kids know what to expect at school and how to handle the feelings that come with it. Reassuring for little ones heading to class.
Little SPOT learns that feelings work best when they team up, with calm and confident feelings helping steady anger and worry. A clever way to show how emotions support each other.
Little SPOT helps kids discover all the creative things they can do when they say they're bored. A fun one for long afternoons and screen free time.
Little SPOT explores all the reasons to celebrate, from birthdays and holidays to reaching goals and milestones. A joyful read for any special occasion.
Little SPOT helps kids find bravery when they feel scared or unsure. A gentle confidence booster for trying new things.
Little SPOT helps kids cope when things don't turn out the way they hoped. Reassuring support for handling letdowns with resilience.
Kids become emotion detectives alongside Little SPOT, learning to spot clues about how they and others feel. A clever, engaging way to build emotional awareness.
Little SPOT helps kids notice frustration building and find ways to calm down before it boils over. Practical tools for those tough moments.
Little SPOT explores why telling the truth matters, even when it's hard. A helpful conversation starter about honesty for young kids.
Little SPOT celebrates Valentine's Day by showing all the ways we can share love and kindness. A sweet seasonal read for the classroom or home.
Little SPOT helps kids learn simple ways to keep their things and their time in order. Handy for kids who struggle with messy rooms and backpacks.
Little SPOT helps kids practice waiting when waiting feels hard. A useful, simple book for impatient little ones and the grownups helping them.
The Little SPOT series tackles responsibility, showing kids what it means to follow through and take ownership of their actions. Clear and practical for home or the classroom.
Little SPOT helps kids see how worry can grow and gives them ways to shrink it back down. Reassuring and practical for anxious kids.
Little SPOT helps kids handle anger and protect themselves from hurtful moments. A useful addition to the series for kids working on big emotions.
Little SPOT shows kids how simple hand motions and movements can calm big feelings like anger. Practical self regulation tools kids can use anywhere.
Worry SPOT shows a child that one worry can be helpful, but worrying over and over gets you nowhere. A humorous, helpful book for kids stuck in worry loops.
Little SPOT helps kids notice the people and things they're grateful for. A natural pick for Thanksgiving or any time you want to build a thankful habit.
Norman the porcupine and his best friend, a tree named Mildred, are inseparable until a new tree sprouts nearby. Jealous Norman does something he shouldn't, and owning up to it is hilarious and heartfelt.
Owen loves his fuzzy yellow blanket, and a nosy neighbor insists he must give it up before school. His mom finds a clever solution that respects how much it matters to him.
Chester feels pushed aside when his new baby brother gets the Kissing Hand too. Mrs. Raccoon shows him a mother's love has room for everyone, perfect for welcoming a sibling.
Splat is a bundle of nerves about his first day at Cat School, but it turns out better than he imagined. A funny, comforting read for kids starting school.
When little sister Pia grabs his favorite truck, Charlie's anger takes over and he hits her. A calm, reassuring story that helps kids learn a big mistake doesn't make them a bad kid.
New from the Food Group, out November 10, 2026, so preorder now. Toast used to keep to himself, until one moment showed him how good it feels to help his whole town.
When an unkind voice creeps into a child's head, she learns to answer it with kind, true words about who she is. Simple affirmations kids can actually carry with them every day.