Tag Archives: Social Emotional Learning

Elem. – I am a Tornado

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Beckmeyer, Drew. I am a Tornado. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2023. 978-1-6659-1674-5. unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-2.

A tornado, who is unaware that he is angry, picks up a cow and destroys all that is in his path. The cow tries to talk to the tornado and listen to him, convincing him that he needs to calm down and just rest and be still. The cow stays with Tornado until he settles and blows away.

THOUGHTS: This title would be a good read with students who need help with anger management. The simple and colorful illustrations are relatable.

Picture Book 

Elem. – Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement

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Russell-Brown, Katheryn. Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement. Viking, Illustrated by Kim Holt. 2023. 978-0-593-40354-9. unpaged. $18.99. Grades 3-5.

This biography compilation tells the story of thirteen women who were the backbone of The Civil Rights Movement. It includes a short introduction to what the movement stood for along with thirteen short biographies of women who were instrumental in the movement. We’ve all heard of Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, but this picture book includes women such as Bernice Jognson Reagon, Gloria Richardson, and Jo Ann Robinson along with other lesser known Civil Rights figures. Includes quotes from many of the women featured as well as sources for each woman.

THOUGHTS: This is a great starting point for students interested in The Civil Rights Movement.  The illustrations are clear and bright and the information is provided in a way that makes it accessible for many.

323 Civil and Political Rights
Picture Book 

Elem. – Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great!

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Boynton, Sandra. Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 978-0-316-48679-8. Unpaged. $17.99.  Grades K-3.

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! is a motivational book that features a chicken who follows you and screams about how you are doing great at whatever you are trying to do. The book starts with asking if you have ever felt low or down? Maybe what you need is a chicken to wave and cheer. As the book goes on, the chicken cheers for multiple animals until finally they cheer for a sleeping bear which does not go well. The chicken has made a mistake and learns that everyone makes mistakes. A mouse steps in and teaches the reader what the best woohoo is that you can do.

THOUGHTS: This is such a fun book to read aloud and will be a great addition to any elementary collection. This book would also make a great read aloud for any elementary guidance counselor lessons.

Picture Book

Elem. – The Only Astronaut

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Jain, Mahak. The Only Astronaut. Kids Can Press, 2023. 978-1-525-30736-2. $19.99. Grades PreK-2.

Avni loves that she is the only astronaut in her special space station. With it only being her, she gets to make all the decisions – what missions will she travel on, when will she leave, and what will she take with her. At times though it can be hard being the only one in your own space station, such as when your rocket ship breaks down or there are too many tasks to do. Avni makes an important decision: she needs to find an assistant! Will she be able to find an assistant up for the task?

THOUGHTS: A fun imagination story! Two heads can be better than one, leading to new missions to different places!

Picture Book

Elem. – Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery

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Zuill, Andrea. Gustav is Missing! A Tale of Friendship and Bravery. Random House Studio. 2023. 978-0-593-48747-1. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Little Cap lived with his best friend, Gustav, in a safe, cozy home. Little Cap needs to have a  safe place because the world is full of very scary things. Unfortunately, someone left the gate open and Gustav goes missing! Little Cap must be brave to find his best friend. He may meet dangerous people and places along the way, but Gustav needs to be found. Little Cap sets out to find Gustav, so they can come home and be safe!

THOUGHTS: This adorable mushroom book about bravery, courage, and facing your fears is fantastic. Despite the scariness of Little Cap’s world, being brave can lead to a new adventure and friendships.

Picture Book

Elem. – The Glow Show

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Shaefer, Susi. The Glow Show. Sourcebooks, 2023. 978-1-728-26134-8. Unpaged. $14.99  Grades PK-2.

Glow, the squid, LOVES to be the center of attention. He’s bioluminescent, he can twirl, and his ocean fans want him to teach them to twirl, too… but… NOPE! Glow wants the attention to stay on him. When he splashes from “The Deep” to “The Shallows,” Glow realizes that, without his glow, he’s simply ordinary. Determined to glow again, he sets off for home. On the way, Glow encounters an anglerfish and realizes that, for the first time, he might just need some friends. With a little sharing and a little teamwork, Glow and his friends create something special in the deep! The Glow Show includes back matter that shares squid facts as well as information about bioluminescence, the impact of water on color, and the vertical migration of animals in the ocean. The final page differentiates between fans and friends.

THOUGHTS: The Glow Show tells a tale of friendship between ocean animals in the unique setting of the deep ocean. Susi Schaefer’s illustrations are joyful and inviting, beautifully portraying her underwater setting and transmitting the feelings of her characters. There is just enough message in the book to get young readers thinking about their actions as friends–and enough story to keep readers coming back to this book again and again. The back matter will spark curiosity and expand the thinking of young readers.  Highly recommended for its unique setting, general appeal, and SEL message.

Picture Book 

Elem. – Otis & Peanut

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Hrab, Naseem. Otis & Peanut. Owlkids Books. 2023. 978-1-771-47496-2. $18.95. Grades 2-4.

Otis and Peanut may seem like a strange pair of friends, with one being a long-haired guinea pig and the other being a naked mole rat, but that is one of the many things that make this duo great! Together, Otis and Peanut discuss the fear of change, loss, friendship, and what makes a home a home. This quirky pair tackle some of life’s hardest challenges, both knowing they have a friend to help along the way.

THOUGHTS: This graphic novel discussed some challenging topics in a great way for young readers to understand. The friendship shown can bring a smile and comfort to the reader as topics of fear, loss, and belonging are brought up and worked through.

Graphic Novel

Elem. – When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left

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Colagiovanni, Marc. When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Orchard Books, 2023. 978-1-338-83118-4. 40 p. $18.99. Grades PreK-3.

In the beginning of this book, nothing is going right for our main character, no matter what they do. So they decide to go left. As the book goes on, the reader can see all the things the main character left behind and how that affects each decision they make moving forward. When they finally get to the end, they discover that their fears, worries, and concerns are smaller and they just need to make sure that they keep an eye on them so they don’t get out of control again. Throughout the book, there is a little bird that follows the main character, which is a nice addition in an otherwise minimalistic style of illustrations.

THOUGHTS: This is a great addition to any elementary school collection, and would be a great read aloud to discuss what to do if things aren’t going right. This would also be great to use with any art lessons about more minimal illustrations, or if you were doing an illustrator study on Peter H. Reynolds.

Picture Book

Elem. – Granny Left Me A Rocket Ship

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Smith, Heather. Granny Left Me a Rocket Ship. Ashley Barron. Kids Can Press, 2023. 978-1-5253-0552-8. Unpaged. $19.99. Grades K-2.

After the narrator’s Grandmother dies, they talk about all the different ways they remember their Grandmother. They remember her through stories, through pictures, and through each of the things she left to the members of the family. The narrator shows all the different things she left him including a world of adventure. The reader sees all the different things she left them through the illustrations throughout the book.

THOUGHTS: This is a great book for an elementary school counselor to use for any discussions of grief. This might not be the most checked out book in the collection, but it will have value and use in the right circumstance.

Picture Book 

Elem./MG – The Hurricane Girls

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Willis Holt, Kimberly. The Hurricane Girls. Christa Ottaviano Books, 2023.    978-0-316-32609-4, 288 p. $16.99. Grades 3-7.

The Hurricane Girls is a story about 3 girls, Greer, Joya Mia, and Kiki. All three girls were born the same year that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. They were the best of friends in 6th grade, but their friendship has had some bumps in the road. Kiki sees a flyer for a Junior Team Relay Triathlon. She starts planning for Greer and Joya Mia to join her in the relay. This story shows each of them overcoming a life challenge to themselves but also working together to work as a team to accomplish something that they didn’t think was possible.

THOUGHTS: This book would be a great addition to any elementary/middle school library. It sends a powerful message about friendship and overcoming obstacles in everyday life. I will be ordering this book for my library in the future.

Realistic Fiction