Social-Emotional & Self-Regulation Books for Kids
- Boston Ability Center
- May 16
- 2 min read

At the Boston Ability Center, we understand the importance of nurturing social-emotional learning and building self-regulation skills in children. These foundational skills help us manage our emotions, navigate relationships, and respond resiliently when faced with challenges.
One of the most impactful ways to foster these skills is through reading. In this blog post, we’re excited to share a selection of book recommendations that can help children explore and develop social-emotional awareness, empathy, and self-regulation. BAC occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists often use these books in their therapy sessions!
These stories offer relatable scenarios and practical strategies, making it easier for kids to connect with the concepts and build these important skills in a fun and meaningful way. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or educator, these books are a great resource to promote emotional growth and adaptability in children of all ages.
All of the following books can be found in our Amazon storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/bostonabilitycenter
How To Train Your Amygdala by Anna Housley Juster
What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
My Mouth is a Volcano!: A Picture Book about Interrupting by Julia Cook
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
B is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping with Fussy and Frustrating Feelings by Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
Me and My Feelings: A Kids' Guide to Understanding and Expressing Themselves by Vanessa Green Allen, M. ED., NBCT
The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions and Express Feelings by Natalia Maguire
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia
What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright
Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere by Kira Willey
I Am...A Box of Goodness by Susan Verde
The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas
What Should Danny Do? (The Power to Choose Series) by Adir & Ganit Levy
A Little SPOT of Emotion Box Set (Books 1-8: Anger, Anxiety, Peaceful, Happiness, Sadness, Confidence, Love, & Scribble Emotion) by Diane Alber
*As an Amazon Associate, the BAC may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
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