Book List for Elementary Students: Mindfulness, Self-Regulation, EQ, and Emotional Awareness
This is a guest post written by Jennifer Kemper, a former elementary school teacher who now coaches educators and administrators on trauma-informed practices. (See her bio at the end of this post!)
This comprehensive list of resources will be such a welcome addition to any teachers classroom (virtual or in-person) as they seek to meet the many social-emotional needs of students in this challenging and unusual school year.
Brain Architecture and Stress Response System Books for Kids:
Title: My Fantastic Elastic Brain
Author: JoAnn Deak Ph. D.
Illustrator: Sarah Ackerley
Description: Longer, probably not for k-1. Parts of the brain and growth mindset.
Title: Hey Warrior
Author: Karen Young
Illustrator: Norvile Dovidonyte
Description: Anxiety and the brain, amygdala is the main part it discusses, stress response.
Title: Hey Awesome
Author: Karen Young
Illustrator: Norvile Dovidonyte
Description: Anxiety, more focused on strategies for self regulation to use to help.
Self-Regulation Books for Kids:
Title: Rabbit Listened
Author and Illustrator: Cori Doerrfeld
Description: Co-regulation, short, appropriate for younger students (prek-2).
Title: The Magic Breath
Author: Nick Ortner and Alison Taylor
Illustrator: Michelle Polizzi
Description: Longer, very simple content, breathing.
Title: A World of Pausabilities: An Exercise in Mindfulness
Author: Frank J. Sileo PhD
Illustrator: Jennifer Zivion
Description: Great book about regulation strategies. Great for all ages because it rhymes and has simple, but powerful, concepts. Beautiful illustrations.
Title: Charlotte and the Quiet Place
Author: Deborah Sosin
Illustrator: Sara Woolley
Description: Breathing and finding quiet.
Title: Leyla
Author and Illustrator: Galia Bernstein
Description: Good for young kids. There’s lots of family and it’s hard to find quiet until she finds the lizard who teaches her to be quiet. Similar to Charlotte and the Quiet Place for younger kids.
Title: ABC Mindful Me
Author and illustrator: Christiane Engel
Description: Board book appropriate for pre K/toddlers/early education. Regulation strategies, one for each letter.
Emotion Management and Self-Care Books for Kids:
Title: The Color Monster
Author and illustrator: Anna Llenas
See it here (video). (Video has great sound effects.)
Description: What each emotion can do to you and feel like. Book is available in a pop up version as well, which is what she is using in the video.
Title: Listening to My Body
Author: Gabi Garcia
Illustrator: Ying Hui Tan
Description: Long but great concepts. Probably more appropriate for 3-5 grade, because of the length. Lots of interactive activities!
Title: In my Heart: A Book of Feelings
Author: Jo Witek
Illustrator: Christine Roussey
See it here (video). (Read by Jennifer Kemper originally created for Eakin Elementary for teachers as a Neurosequential Method of Education resource.)
Coaching video for educators to go with resource.
Description: What each emotion feels like in the body and a great jumping off point to talk about emotions with kids.
Managing Worry and Anxiety Books for Kids:
Title: Ruby Finds a Worry
Author and illustrator: Tom Percival
See it here (video). (Great sound effects in this video.)
Description: How a worry can grow, talking about worry and how it helps shrink them and takes them away.
Title: When Worry Takes Hold
Author: Liz Haske
Illustrator: InSong Nam
See it here (video). (Has breathing exercise at the beginning, talks about COVID.)
Description: Different things kids might worry about.
Talking about COVID Books for Kids:
Title: The Breaking News
Author and illustrator: Sarah Lynne Reul
Description: Short, simple, the effects that bad news can have on a family and community.
Want more?
Bio of Author: This list was created by Jennifer Kemper as a resource for educators and parents. Jennifer is a former second grade and inclusion teacher who currently works for The Family and Children First Council of Ohio coaching educators and administrators on brain friendly, trauma informed strategies based on the work of Dr. Bruce Perry and the Neurosequential Method of Education. She is passionate educator who loves sharing content that helps educators and parents support their children in a way that respects their brains and individuality. Jennifer lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and son.
You can contact Jennifer with questions or requests for further support by email at jennifer.kemper@escco.org.
Photo Credit: Coley and Co.