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Children's Literature

OpenCircle recommended SEL Childrens Literature 2019 150wFor a more comprehensive list download Open Circle's Children's Literature List (PDF).

Open Circle also curates Children's Literature related to the following topics:

Self-Awareness

Recognizing & naming your emotions; having confidence and optimism

Crown Ode to the Fresh CutThe Colors of Us, by Karen Katz
Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut, by Derrick Barnes
How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods, by Saxton Freymann
In My Family/En mi familia, by Carmen Lomas Garza
Mama’s Sari’s, by Pooja Makhijani
My Cold Plum, Lemon Pie, Bluesy Mood, by Tameka Fryer Brown
The Three Names of Me, by Mary Cummings
Too Many Tamales, by Gary Soto

Self-Management

Managing emotions and behaviors; working toward personal goals

Jabari JumpsBig Red Lollipop, by Rhuksana Khan
Grump, Groan, Growl, by Bell Hooks
Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall
My Name is María Isabel
, by Alma Flor Ada (Chapter book)
Serafina’s Promise, by Ann E. Burg (Novel in verse)
Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, by Rachel Vail
Twist: Yoga Poems, by Janet Wong
Upside Down Boy/El niño de cabeza, by Juan Felipe Herrara

Social Awareness

Ability to take perspective of and empathize with others

I am New HereHalmoni’s Picnic, by Sook Nyul Choi
I am New Here, by Ann Sibley O’Brien
I Lost My Tooth in Africa, by Penda Diakité
My Name is Yoon, by Helen Recorvits
Nadia’s Hands, by Karen English
Rain School, by James Rumford
Suki’s Kimono, by Chieri Uekagi
The Ugly Vegetables, by Grace Lin

Relationship Skills

Building & maintaining positive relationships

Make Way for Dyamonde DanielDanitra Brown Leaves Town, by Nikki Grimes
Four Feet, Two Sandals, by Karen Williams
Grandfather Counts, by Andrea Cheng
Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, by Nikki Grimes
Margaret and Margarita/Margarita y Margaret
, by Lynn Reiser
Pink and Say, by Patricia Polacco
Sumi’s First Day of School Ever, by Soyung Pak
Yo! Yes?, by Chris Raschka

Responsible Decision-Making

Making decisions considering the well-being of self and others

The One Day HouseHarvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, by Kathleen Krull
Hello Universe, by Erin Entrada Kelly
King for a Day
, by Rhuksana Khan
Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice, by Sylvia Rosa-Casanova
My Heart Will Not Sit Down, by Mara Rockcliff
The One Day House, by Julia Durango
Wings
, by Christopher Myers
Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate