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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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?
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book, 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”.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
Summary of book: Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day, by Carmen Agra Deedy (2020), is about two best friends that find themselves in the middle of a conflict where both of them feel angry and unhappy. Can they find a way to fix the problem and learn to be friends again?
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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!
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
See the value of “Makes Appropriate Movement Between Activities” in these books:
Summary of book: Just Five More Minutes!, by Marcy Brown (2008), is about a boy named Mark who needs to get ready for bed. Mark doesn’t want to stop playing and keeps asking his mom for “five more minutes”. This book helps show how difficult it can be to transition from one activity to another and helps children think through how they can manage these transitions better.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
Summary of book: Waiting Is Not Forever, by Elizabeth Verdick (2019), acknowledges that waiting can be frustrating and offers some simple ideas to make it a bit easier for children to learn to wait patiently as one activity ends another one begins.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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 great way to teach children about the importance of staying organized.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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?
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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 learn to speak out loud in a group to do so.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, E-book, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
Summary of book: Library Lily, by Gillian Shields (2011), is about a little girl named Lily who wants to spend all of her time reading. Then she meets a new friend named Milly who hates reading but loves going on adventures. Together the two friends help each other learn to be curious and keep an open mind and discover the joy of both books and exploring.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy, 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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
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.
Versions available through Free Library of Philadelphia: Hard copy
Developed by the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia, families, and teachers. Funded by the William Penn Foundation.
