READING LIST
Books are a great way to show children examples of important social and emotional learning skills. This page features a list of books that show each of the 14 social and emotional learning skills from the kindergarten report card in action.
All of the books listed here are available for free from the Free Library of Philadelphia with a library card. To learn about how to get a free library card, please visit the Free Library of Philadelphia website.
For each book below you will find a summary of the book, and links to which libraries have a hard copy, e-book, audiobook, and non-English language versions of the book.
See the value of “Accepts Responsibility for Choices and Actions” in these books:
Summary of book: What If Everybody Did That?, by Ellen Javernick (2010), is a story about a child learning that there are consequences for his behavior. From feeding popcorn to a bear at the zoo to dropping an empty can out of a car window, he learns about responsibility.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Jamaica’s Find, by Juanita Havill (1986), is about a young girl who finds a lost toy and must decide whether to keep it for herself. Jamaica must think through the consequences of her actions to make the best choice.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Words Are Not for Hurting, by Elizabeth Verdick (2004), helps children learn that they are responsible for what they do and say, that their actions and words affect others, and that they can make positive choices on their own.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
See the value of “Can Work Independently” in these books:
Summary of book: I Can Do It Too!, by Karen Baicker (2003), is a story about a young girl, who with the support of her family, is self-confident about what she can do and in turn supports a younger family member in learning to do things independently.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Summary of book: All by Myself!, by Aliki (2000), is a story about all the things a child has learned to do all on his own. This book teaches children to feel proud of all the different things they are able to do independently.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: I Can Do It Myself!, by Diane Adams (2009), is a story about Emily Pearl who insists on doing everything for herself. Even though she can do many things on her own, she learns that she still needs help sometimes too.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Completes Work on Time” in these books:
Summary of book: The Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle, by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1997), is about what happens when Brother struggles to get his homework done. This book shows how important it is to do your work on time.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Summary of book: The Berenstain Bears Catch the Bus, by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1999), follows the Bear family as they try to catch the bus one busy morning. This book is a fun way to teach children about the concept of being on time.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Demonstrates Consistent Effort” in these books:
Summary of book: Whistle for Willie, by Ezra Jack Keats (1998), is about Peter, who wants to learn to whistle so his dog, Willie, will hear him and come running. Peter has a hard time learning to whistle but works hard and eventually learns how to do it.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, by Eric Carle (1999), is about a little click beetle who falls onto his back and has trouble flipping onto his feet. Try as he might, the clumsy little click beetle just can’t get the hang of it–or can he?
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: The Dot, by Peter Reynolds (2003), is about Vashti’s journey to learn how to draw. Vashti struggles in art class but learns that if she keeps trying and has a good attitude, she can become an artist.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: The Little Engine That Could, by Watty Piper (1976), is about the Little Blue Engine, who tries to pull a train over a mountain when the other trains refuse to help. The Little Blue Engine keeps reminding himself that he can do it by saying, “I think I can, I think I can”.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
See the value of “Handles Conflict Appropriately” in these books:
Summary of book: Cool Down and Work Through Anger, by Cheri J. Meiners (2010), is a book that discusses how everyone gets angry. It shows children that they can recognize feelings of anger, express their feelings, and build skills for managing anger in helpful ways.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Talk and Work It Out, by Cheri J. Meiners (2005), is a book that answers the question, “What’s the best way to solve problems between people?” by showing children how to talk through their problems.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Don’t Hit Me!, by Bernette Ford (2004), is a simple rhyming story about a boy whose best friend hits him in the middle of a game. The boy reminds his friend that they should use their words and not their fists when they disagree about something.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Listens and Follows Directions” in these books:
Summary of book: Know and Follow Rules, by Cheri J. Meiners (2005), shows how a child who isn’t following the rules is a child who’s always in trouble. The focus of this book is on the positive sense of pride that comes with learning to follow rules.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Officer Buckle and Gloria, by Peggy Rathmann (1995), is a story about the children at Napville Elementary School who always ignore Officer Buckle’s safety tips, until a police dog named Gloria accompanies him when he gives his safety speeches.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish, Chinese
Summary of book: Press Here, by Hervé Tullet (2011), is an interactive book where children have to follow instructions and see what happens to the colorful dots on the page. This book allows children to practice their listening skills as they follow a series of directions to make fun things happen!
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Tessie Tames Her Tongue!, by Melissa Martin (2017), is about Tessie, who is bright and excited to share all the stories about her life. After her little brother complains, Tessie knows it’s time to tame her talkative tongue and learns to talk less and listen more.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Makes Appropriate Movement Between Activities” in these books:
Summary of book: Clean-Up Time!, by Elizabeth Verdick (2008), is a simple rhyming book that encourages children to sing along as they clean up. Children learn to put things in their place, make a neater space, keep a smile on their face, and make room for more fun!
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: The School Book, by Todd Parr (2019), introduces children to a very important place: school! From morning routines to meeting new people to learning and playing together, this book explores all the different things that can happen in school.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Summary of book: Don’t Be Silly, Mrs. Millie!, by Judy Cox (2005), is about a teacher, who is silly with her students. She tells them to hang up their goats, get out their paper and penguins, and wash their hands with soap and walrus. Her students have fun correcting her “mistakes.”
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Organizes Self, Materials, and Belongings” in these books:
Summary of book: The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room, by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1983), is about Mama and Papa’s frustration over Brother and Sister not picking up after themselves. This story is a perfect way to teach children about tidying up and organization.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Summary of book: Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu by Ylleya Fields (2013), is about a young girl who loses her things. As she searches for her missing tutu, she learns the importance of being organized and putting things back where they belong.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Participates in Group Activities” in these books:
Summary of book: Feeling Shy!, by Kay Barnham (2017), is about Lily, who is good at helping others when they feel shy. Then, Lily goes to a new club by herself, and it’s her turn to feel shy! Can she follow her own example and move past being shy?
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: The Giant Jelly Bean Jar, by Marci Aboff (2004), is about Ben, who really wants to answer a riddle to win a big jar of jelly beans, but he has to speak out loud in a group to do so.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Feeling Scared!, by Kay Barnham (2017), is about Diego who is a big help when his friends and his little sister feel scared for all kinds of reasons. Then, in his dark bedroom, it’s his turn to feel afraid. Will he know how to be brave and face his own fear?
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Respects Rights, Diversity, Feelings, and Property of Others” in these books:
Summary of book: We Are All Alike…We Are All Different, by the Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergartners (1991), is a story for kindergarteners by kindergarteners that describes the likenesses and differences among us all.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson (2018), is a book about a young girl’s first day of school and how different she feels from her classmates. Over time, she learns that they also shares many similarities and that everyone is different and special in their own way.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins (2018), is about Penelope, a T. Rex who is going to school for the very first time. As a dinosaur, Penelope thinks her classmates look delicious, but she has to learn that the best way to make friends and have fun is to treat others with kindness and respect.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
See the value of “Respects School Environment and Materials” in these books:
Summary of book: Respect and Take Care of Things, by Cheri J. Meiners (2004), is about how everything has a place and how things last longer when we take care of them. This book encourages children to pick up after themselves and put things back where they belong.
Hardcopy available: Yes
Summary of book: How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague (2007), is a story about what would happen if dinosaurs went to school and the chaos that might happen as a result. In this fun book, children get to think about how they can treat school, their classmates, and teachers with respect.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Shows Positive Attitude Toward Learning” in these books:
Summary of book: Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall (2017), is about a boy learning to jump off the diving board at a pool. Jabari must keep a positive attitude when trying to conquer this task and achieve his goal.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: Yes
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: The Curious Garden, by Peter Brown (2009), is about a little boy named Liam, who discovers a struggling garden while exploring and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the city, changing it into a green world.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Strives for Quality Work” in these books:
Summary of book: When Sophie Thinks She Can’t…, by Molly Bang (2018), is a story about when Sophie can’t solve a math puzzle. Luckily, Sophie’s teacher steps in and shows her the hidden value of trying her best.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: Little Kunoichi the Ninja Girl, by Sanae Ishida (2015), is about a young girl struggling at ninja school. With the help of a friend, she learns the importance of practicing her ninja skills and working to get better.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
See the value of “Works and Plays Cooperatively With Others” in these books:
Summary of book: Swimmy, by Leo Lionni (1963), is about a clever little fish named Swimmy. When there is a problem, Swimmy shows his friends that they can overcome anything by working together.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish, Chinese, French
Summary of book: David’s Drawings, by Cathryn Falwell (2001), is about a shy boy named David, who loves to draw. One day, David draws a tree at school. His classmates help him add to the tree, and as it develops, David overcomes his shyness and makes new friends.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Other languages available for free with library card: Spanish
Summary of book: Our Community Garden, by Barbara Pollak (2004), is about a diverse group of people, who share the work and fun of a community garden. This book celebrates different cultures and shows the value of people working together.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No
Summary of book: The Enormous Turnip, by Alexei Tolstoy (2003), is about a farmer, who cannot pull an enormous turnip out of the ground by himself. He asks his entire family to help him. Only when everyone works together do they manage to pull the turnip from the ground.
Hardcopy available: Yes
E-Book available for free with library card: No