Originally published in TEACH Magazine, June 2026 Issue
By Kelsey McCallum
The world of emotions can be complex, especially for young learners who are still developing self-awareness and their own sense of identity. One moment they’re brimming with joy, the next they’re filled with nerves or frustration. Emotional literacy helps students understand that feelings are normal, important, and something everyone experiences.
We’ve gathered a selection of 14 books for students in kindergarten to middle school that explore emotions and other social-emotional learning (SEL) themes, including empathy, social awareness, relationship skills, and resilience. These stories help create a supportive space where children can better understand themselves and the world around them.
The Caring Classroom: A Not So Perfect Start
By Trudy Ludwig
Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
Knopf Books for Young Readers (June 2026)
Grade Level: K–2
Developed in consultation with elementary school teachers, the Caring Classroom is a new series of books designed to help kids develop kindness both in and out of the classroom. This first book follows Thea, a young perfectionist who learns to make the most of an imperfect situation, thanks to a little help from her teacher and fellow classmates.
Choose Happy: Give a Smile a Try
By Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrated by Julie McLaughlin
Orca Book Publishers (April 2026)
Grade Level: 4–7
Explore the science and history of happiness, along with some obstacles that make it difficult to be happy, in this non-fiction book for middle-grade readers. Be sure to try out the accompanying activity with students as well.
The Cloud That Stuck
By Karen Krossing
Illustrated by Dorothy Leung
Charlesbridge (April 2026)
Grade Level: K–4
When a rain cloud blows over Tansy’s head one day and refuses to budge, she begins to forget what sunshine looks like—until she puts on a raincoat and boots, and discovers how much fun it can be to play in the puddles. Inspired by the author’s own experiences with mental health, this picture book is the perfect introduction for young readers to resilience and embracing your emotions. The accompanying hard topics discussion guide can help further such conversations in the classroom.
Feeling Your Feelings: The Head-to-Toe Science of Emotions
By Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Illustrated by Phil Nicholls
Kids Can Press (October 2025)
Grade Level: 3–7
Take a fascinating head-to-toe tour of the body in this approachable guide to emotions. Learn about the science behind nervousness, embarrassment, and the roles that different parts of our bodies play when it comes to feeling our feelings. For middle-grade readers who are becoming more aware of their bodies and their “out-of-control” emotions, this book also offers suggestions for how to practice self-regulation.
Lonely Me
By Sandra V. Feder
Illustrated by Ashley Barron
Groundwood Books (September 2026)
Grade Level: K–1
The newest installment in the Emotions and Me series, Lonely Me explores loneliness through the perspective of a young child: all the times she feels lonely throughout the day, as well as the actions she can take to reconnect with the people around her.
Louie’s Colorful Feelings: A Dragon’s Guide to Rainbow Emotions
By Mariessa Shein
Illustrated by Shiane Salabie
Albatros Media (July 2026)
Grade Level: K–2
Join Louie for a colourful journey as he experiences a rainbow of emotions. In this vibrant picture book, young readers will begin to recognize, name, and understand different types of feelings, helping them develop emotional literacy, self-awareness, and empathy—the foundational building blocks of SEL.
Rules for Liars
By Debra Green and April Patten
Kar-Ben Publishing (February 2026)
Grade Level: 3–7
Two girls learn valuable lessons about grief, guilt, and the value of telling the truth in this tender middle-grade novel. Nikki Davis is using increasingly desperate lies to cover up her family’s changing circumstances. Then she meets Rebecca Weiss, who is struggling to prepare for her upcoming bat mitzvah and doesn’t have time for anyone trying to deceive her. Despite everything, the two strike up an unlikely friendship, but when the truth finally comes out about Nikki’s family, will she be able to make things right? Rules for Liars focuses on important SEL skills such as responsible decision making, self-management, and relationship building.
Sad, Mad, Glad: A Day Full of Feelings
By John Micklos Jr.
Illustrated by Lilibeth M. Jimenez
Penguin Workshop (August 2026)
Grade Level: K
In this simple introduction to emotions for young readers, follow along with a young boy as he describes his feelings throughout the day, from sad to glad to mad. Told through a combination of rhyming prose and detailed images, this story perfectly illustrates the myriad of feelings children can experience in a day.
Shrinking Violet
By Laurel Snyder
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Chronicle Books (March 2026)
Grade Level: K–3
A young girl learns to face her fears in this magical fairy tale. Violet is used to feeling small—literally. Any time she gets worried or anxious, she shrinks. But when her best friend is suddenly in danger, Violet discovers that she’s bigger than her fears, and brave enough to save the day after all!
Some Days I’m the Wind
By Rebecca Gardyn Levington
Illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
Barefoot Books (September 2025)
Grade Level: K
This lyrical picture book offers a gentle reminder to the youngest learners that it’s OK to feel different each day, whether they’re a cyclone, giddy and wild, or a breeze, gentle and mild. It teaches kids that there are no such thing as good or bad emotions—just different kinds—and encourages them to explore all the unique, individual sides of their personalities.
Sometimes I Feel That Way Too
By Hannah Beach
Illustrated by Rebecca Bender
Plumleaf Press (January 2026)
Grade Level: K–3
Follow along with a young child throughout the day as they encounter different objects that each incite a particular emotion. From a reluctant leaf clinging onto a branch to a lonely orange left over at the end of snack time, each acts as a reminder that these feelings are a normal part of life.
What to Do When It’s Not Fair: A Kid’s Guide to Handling Envy and Jealousy
By Jacqueline B. Toner and Claire A. B. Freeland
Illustrated by David Thompson
Magination Press (May 2026)
Grade Level: 2–5
The newly revised edition of this interactive self-help book empowers students to cope with feelings of envy and jealousy, using strategies based on cognitive-behavioural principles. For additional SEL resources, check out the rest of the What-to-Do Guides for Kids series.
A World of Kindness
By Ann Featherstone, Suzanne Del Rizzo, et al.
Pajama Press (April 2026)
Grade Level: K–1
Celebrate the many different forms kindness can take with this timely picture book. The updated best-seller uses new original images to showcase kindness in a kid-friendly way and remind young readers of the impact that everyday actions and words can have on the people around them.
The Worried Book
By Howard Pearlstein
Illustrated by James Munro
Red Comet (April 2026)
Grade Level: K–2
In The Worried Book, kids are invited to acknowledge the “what-if” scenarios that make them worried or nervous, and then to try imagine what could go right instead. Full of reassurances that it’s normal to be anxious sometimes, this book also shares ways to manage that anxiety and tame those runaway thoughts.
TEACHer’s Corner
The Feelings Furballs: Emotional Regulation Activities and Ideas for the Classroom
By Lynn How
Jessica Kingsley Publishers (May 2026)
Looking for even more ways to bring SEL into the classroom? Check out this handy guidebook of emotional regulation activities from Special Education Needs Coordinator Lynn How.
Kelsey McCallum is an Associate Editor for TEACH Mag. She holds a BSc from the University of Guelph and a Graduate Certificate from Centennial College. She currently lives in Toronto, ON, with her partner and their cat, Banksy.
