Recommended Books for Social & Emotional Growth

The right book can do more than just entertain. It can help you or your child navigate real-life challenges like friendships, confidence, emotional regulation, and behavior. Just like our curriculum is designed to build these skills in a practical, relatable way, the books in this list offer meaningful takeaways that can support growth, spark conversations, and make everyday situations a little easier to handle.

Below is a list of reading that can help strengthen these skills in a natural, engaging way.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Patricia's older brother Richard can do everything better than she can, he runs the fastest, climbs the highest, and even spits the farthest. But when Patricia makes a wish on a shooting star, everything changes.

This beautifully illustrated classic explores sibling rivalry in a way that feels real and relatable. It's not just a story about competition; it's about discovering that everyone has their own unique gifts and talents. Perfect for helping kids understand that they don't have to be better at the same things as their siblings, they just have to be themselves. A wonderful way to spark conversations about accepting differences and celebrating what makes each person special.

Link To Purchase

The Sibling Survival Guide: Surefire Ways to Solve Conflicts, Reduce Rivalry, and Have More Fun with Your Brothers and Sisters

If your child struggles with sibling conflicts, this book is a game-changer. Dr. Dawn Huebner speaks directly to kids ages 9-12 about the real challenges of living with brothers and sisters, the fighting, teasing, jealousy, and tattling, and, more importantly, gives them practical strategies to actually handle these situations.

What makes this guide so effective is that it's interactive and hands-on. Instead of just talking about problems, your child learns concrete skills they can use right now. With warm, witty writing and helpful illustrations, this book empowers kids to manage their feelings and improve their relationships with their siblings. It's the kind of resource that creates real change in the household.

Link To Purchase

Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be

This #1 New York Times bestseller from Dr. Becky Kennedy is a breath of fresh air for parents who feel overwhelmed by the weight of raising kids.

Good Inside isn't just another parenting manual, it's a compassionate guide grounded in practical strategies that actually work. Dr. Kennedy helps parents understand their child's behavior in a new way, breaking the cycle of reactive parenting so you can show up as the parent you want to be. Whether you're struggling with big emotions, challenging behaviors, or just feeling burnt out, this book offers real, implementable tools alongside the emotional support you need. It's wise, thoughtful, and written by someone who truly understands what it's like to be in the trenches of parenting.

Link To Purchase

Are Your Hands Full? #1, Ages 0-10

If you're looking for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding and managing your young child's behavior, this book is worth its weight in gold.

Dr. S. Yaroslawitz, an occupational therapist and parenting expert, presents behavior management as a practical instruction manual rather than a theory-heavy textbook. She covers everything from typical developmental challenges to more complex behavior patterns, giving you concrete strategies for each situation. This isn't about quick fixes, it's about understanding the "why" behind your child's behavior and responding in ways that build their confidence and emotional resilience. Parents rave about how this resource has transformed their approach to discipline and connection with their young children.

Link To Purchase

Are Your Hands Full? #2 (Ages 10-18)

The adolescent years bring a whole new set of challenges, and this companion guide from Dr. Yaroslawitz is specifically designed for parents navigating them.

As children move into the tween and teen years, behavior management looks different, and this book gets that. Dr. Yaroslawitz provides the same step-by-step, practical approach as Volume 1, but tailored to the unique developmental stage of older children. She addresses everything from independence and identity-building to managing bigger emotions and more complex social dynamics. If you felt helped by Volume 1, this is an essential resource for staying connected to your child and supporting them through the changes ahead. Parents consistently praise this book for giving them a roadmap when things feel confusing or overwhelming.

Link To Purchase

Labels for Laibel

Laibel doesn't want to share anything with his little brother Yossi, until a clever plan goes wrong and he learns something important about generosity.

Written in engaging, catchy rhyme with vivid illustrations, this charming picture book introduces young children (ages 3-6) to the value of sharing in a way that feels natural and relatable. Laibel's story shows that sharing isn't about sacrifice, it's about connection. It's a perfect book for younger siblings to understand why "sharing is something all people must do," and a gentle reminder for older siblings about the joy of giving.

Link To Purchase

The Fantastic Elastic Brain

A great read for this week as we learn about our brain and thoughts.

It shows kids that their brain can grow and get stronger with practice—just like a muscle.

A simple, engaging way to learn more about the human brain and encourage children to develop a positive growth mindset.

Link To Purchase

Don't Be Afraid to Drop

This is a heartwarming story about courage, growth, and embracing new experiences. As Hopp the raindrop learns to let go of what feels safe and familiar, children discover that trying something new can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth. This engaging picture book is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of a growth mindset and encourage children to face change with confidence

Link To Purchase

The Dot

Vashti (the main character) doesn’t think she can draw. Not even a little.
Her art teacher gently encourages her to try something… anything.
So Vashti makes a tiny dot on the paper.
Instead of dismissing it, her teacher asks her to sign it, and proudly displays it at the class art show.
That small moment of encouragement changes everything.
That single dot becomes the beginning of Vashti’s journey into a confident, celebrated artist.

This story is such a beautiful example of how:
A caring adult can help a child step out of their comfort zone, and how celebrating small successes can unlock confidence and growth.

Link To Purchase

Strictly No Elephants

A sweet story about a boy whose pet elephant isn’t allowed to join the pet club.

What I love about this book:
The boy doesn’t get stuck on the rejection. Instead of focusing on “they didn’t let me,” he moves forward and creates his own group.
Such an important message for kids: if someone won’t include you, look for the people who will appreciate you for who you are.

The quiet message woven throughout the story—“because that’s what friends do”—models what real friendship actually looks like.

A simple, powerful way to help kids understand:
You don’t have to chase a group that doesn’t choose you.

Link To Purchase

The Little Engine That Could

This is a simple but powerful story that teaches kids the value of perseverance.

The little engine is faced with a big challenge—one that seems too hard—but instead of giving up, it keeps going while repeating, “I think I can, I think I can.”

That message sticks. It shows children that even when something feels difficult, believing in yourself and continuing to try can help you push through.

It’s a beautiful way to teach kids that success isn’t about being the biggest or the best—it’s about not giving up.

Link To Purchase

The Bullies: A kid's guide for dealing with people who are acting mean

I’d love to share a book that is truly worth purchasing—especially if your child often feels that others are bothering them or being mean.

This book can be a real game changer. It gives kids practical tools to empower themselves and respond in ways that can actually stop the meanness.

These are the kinds of skills that build real resilience.

I’m loving my copy and have already started using it with some of my students—with great results.

Link To Purchase

Bigfoot Gets Bullied: Empowering Kids to Manage Emotions and Stop Mean Behavior

Here’s another worthwhile book to help your child better understand why others can be mean.

Bigfoot Gets Bullied is a light read with a powerful message. It helps children make sense of unkind behavior—and more importantly, teaches them how to respond when they’re not treated nicely.

Short, clear, and straight to the point—yet packed with meaningful takeaways your child can actually use.

Link To Purchase

The Artscroll Children's Haggadah (ArtScroll Youth)

Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged and participating in the Seder?

ArtScroll is always a reliable go-to. The engaging pictures, clear translation, and meaningful divrei Torah really help bring the Haggadah to life for children (and adults!).

I honestly don’t remember a Pesach Seder without this Haggadah at the table—it’s been a staple for years.

Link To Purchase

The Artscroll Children's Tehillim

Looking for a meaningful way to encourage your child to connect with Tehillim?

The ArtScroll Children’s Tehillim makes the words approachable and meaningful, helping children understand what they’re saying while encouraging them to daven on their own.

It’s also a beautiful springboard for conversations about self-awareness, empathy, and thinking of others—helping children consider what they need, what others may be going through, and what they can daven for.

Link To Purchase

The Artscroll Children's Machzor

Looking for a way to make Rosh Hashanah davening more meaningful and engaging for your children?

The ArtScroll Children’s Machzor is a wonderful way to bring the tefillos to life while naturally teaching important skills like respect, responsibility, goal setting, and self-reflection.

Use it to set small davening goals together, spark conversations about emotions, and help your child connect to Rosh Hashanah in a way that feels meaningful and age-appropriate.

Link To Purchase