Educationally valuable picture books for children to promote social-emotional development

Children have to learn so much. Much of it happens on its own, but for some things, we as parents can provide a little support. Books are a wonderful aid in supporting the learning process. Here, I have a really great list from our kindergarten teacher of picture books for promoting social-emotional development, along with a few that I personally find good:

Educationally valuable book list for children to promote social-emotional development

Educationally valuable books for children on self-assertion

Everyone wants something from Marble Bear

Marble Bear is always there for everyone; he helps everywhere. Every day he is just how others want him to be. He never thinks of himself, he doesn't do what he wants, and he is very unhappy about that. But suddenly, he gathers his courage and does what he wants.

In the book Everyone wants something from Marble Bear children learn that caring is all well and good, but you shouldn't forget yourself and that it is okay to say no sometimes.

The Big and the Little No

A small, shy girl sits on a huge bench with a bar of chocolate and is happy. Gradually, others come along and want some, even though the girl doesn't want that at all and only says 'no' very quietly. Until the girl jumps up and yells 'N O' very loudly.

In the book The Big and the Little No children learn to say no, and to do so loudly and clearly. Regardless of whether someone wants to take something from the child or wants to kiss them. This is how small children learn to assert themselves against adults and protect themselves.

Have Courage, Willi Wiberg

Willi is not like his usual self: he cleans up, is punctual, and obeys without backtalk. Because the first day of school is looming and Willi is afraid. But Dad helps Willi to face the situation bravely. And what the teacher tells the children on the first day of school helps Willi find his old self again.

In the book Have Courage, Willi Wiberg is about the fear of the first day of school and helps children adjust to the change.

Small but Mighty!

The snail is annoyed because it is too slow, the mouse is annoyed because it is too small, and the skunk is ashamed of its scent. Then Doctor Round-Ball helps them and explains that it is not size and strength that are most important, but what you achieve. He has a particularly positive trait ready for every negative one, and so the animals realize that they are all something special.

In the book Small but Mighty! shows children that there are indeed negative sides, but there is always a positive one to go with them. It is an encouraging book for children that shows that everyone is special.

Swimmy

Swimmy is a small black fish who lives happily in a school of red fish. One day, all the little red fish are eaten, and only Swimmy can escape into the ocean. Sad because he is now alone, Swimmy swims into the big sea and encounters many beautiful animals and plants. Then Swimmy discovers another large school of red fish, to whom he would like to show the wonders of the sea, but they are afraid because they are scared of being eaten. But then Swimmy has a brilliant idea of how they can still swim in the sea and everyone can find their place.

Through the book Swimmy many important things can be passed on to children. The topic of being an outsider is addressed through the little black fish living among many red fish. Furthermore, it shows that you can achieve much more in a community and that you are strong together. Kindergarten children realize that they, too, for example in kindergarten, must first find their place.

The Little I Am Me

A small animal goes for a walk in a flower meadow. It feels related to many animals but does not look exactly like any of them. Slowly it begins to doubt itself, until it realizes that it is not just anyone, but: I am me.

In the book The Little I Am Me in rhyme form, children are taught that you don't have to be like others and that it is perfectly fine just to be who you are. It is intended to strengthen self-confidence and, of course, self-esteem.

How to Defeat a Dino

In the great forests, among other dinosaur children, lives little Bronto. He has many friends to play with, but also an enemy: Rex the Terrible! But little Bronto is smarter and simply outwits Rex with a well-topped sandwich...

In the book How to Defeat a Dino lovingly shows children that the big and strong don't always have to win, and that using your head often helps.

The Little Mouse Looks for a Friend

The little mouse looks for a friend and meets the most diverse animals, asking them again and again if they can be friends. Many animals want nothing to do with her, but she doesn't give up and eventually succeeds.

In the book The Little Mouse Looks for a Friend teaches children the importance of friendship and how hard it is to find a true friend. Furthermore, it shows children that they should not give up, because the mouse does not let herself be deterred from her goal despite negative experiences.

A Dino Shows Feelings

A double page is reserved for every emotional state, and with just an impressive facial expression, the dino makes it clear what emotional state he is currently in.

In the book A Dino Shows Feelings children learn to interpret and express feelings in themselves and others. The book also contains an additional pedagogical guide with many different exercises, game and work suggestions, as well as templates for copying and crafting.

Today I Am

A double page is dedicated to each emotional state, and 20 different emotional states are illustrated using a wide variety of fish.

In the book Today I Am children can learn to recognize and name emotional states based on the pictures.

Me and My Feelings

There are so many different feelings, and it is not that easy to deal with all the contradictory emotions. Some emotions should also not be shown because they hurt other people. Each page is dedicated to a feeling and clarifies the emotional reaction of the respective characters through great pictures.

The book Me and My Feelings invites conversation about emotions. Here, children are allowed to engage with their world of feelings, recognize themselves, and check their own reactions. Above all, it wants to encourage them to stand by their feelings.

Where to Put My Anger?

With large pictures and short, concise sentences, the topic of anger is addressed. Where does the feeling come from? Why do I get angry? And above all, what can I do about it?

The book Where to Put My Anger? sensitively shows what types of anger there are and some suggested solutions for dealing with this feeling. It is great that it doesn't tell you with a wagging finger that you are not allowed to be angry, but rather that this feeling exists and how to deal with it.

Badger is in a Bad Mood

Badger is in a bad mood and simply passes it on to the animals in the forest. Once he has let off enough steam, he is in the best of moods again, but the other animals are grumpy. Then he thinks about what he has done and how he can make amends. So he invites all the animals of the forest to a party where being in a good mood is forbidden. And lo and behold: in the end, everyone is having a great time!

The book Badger is in a Bad Mood shows children that it can happen that others are just in a bad mood sometimes and that it doesn't have to be because of them. Ideal for sensitive children who quickly take things to heart.

Educationally valuable children's books on the topic of appearances

When the Ravens Were Still Colorful

When the ravens become aware of their different feather colors, they begin to quarrel among themselves. Groups form, ravens are degraded to leaders or outsiders. It becomes increasingly difficult and pointless, because does a purple-green-striped raven belong to the purple or the green group? No peace wants to settle here at all. Until suddenly a rain comes and colors all the ravens black.

In the book When the Ravens Were Still Colorful is impressively conveyed to the little ones that appearances are not everything and that exclusion can be very hurtful.

The Raven Who Was Different

A raven has a problem: he is different from all the other ravens; he is colorful. For fear of not being accepted by them, he goes on a journey, only to realize in the end that it is not bad to be different.

In the book The Raven Who Was Different shows children in loving drawings and bright colors that it is not bad to look different and that one should accept that in others as well.

The Biggest House in the World

The little snail tells her father that when she is an adult, she wants to have the biggest house in the world. Whereupon the dad tells her the parable of the snail with the biggest house in the world. She would have had a magnificent and colorful house, but it was far too heavy, so she could no longer move and had to starve.

In the book The Biggest House in the World with concise but restrained language, the virtue of modesty is conveyed to children, giving them important advice for their further path in life.

Educationally valuable children's books about arguing

Mine! No, mine!

Rabbit and Bear are best friends until one day they discover a glittery thing. Everyone wants it, and so they argue until they even tear it apart. Rabbit and Bear are so angry at each other that they don't want to be friends anymore. But then they realize that it is pretty stupid without a friend and make up again.

In the book Mine! No, mine! shows children that possession is not everything and how nice it is to have a friend and to make up quickly after an argument. Incidentally, they also see that two animals that seemingly don't fit together can be wonderful friends.

You started it! No, you!

Two monsters live on two different sides of a mountain, separated by a stone wall. One day, because of a single sentence, they do not pay attention to the other's perspective and decide that only their own truth must be the right one. So they throw things at each other and insult each other until the separating mountain has disappeared and they realize that from their respective points of view, both are right.

In the book You started it! No, you! children learn reasons for arguments, that one's own opinion does not always have to be the only right one, and how to make up again. In addition, there are new funny swear words that will make the children laugh.

A Ball for Everyone

Five different animal friends are playing peacefully on the meadow until a troublemaker joins in and interrupts the friends. In beautiful illustration and text, the friends manage to settle the argument over the ball and even gain a sixth friend.

In the book A Ball for Everyone conflict resolution is shown quite unspectacularly, as well as how to simply integrate an outsider. Incidentally, one friend has a physical deficit but a clever mind and is not excluded.

Sharing is Fun

Max Mouse is happy; finally, the apples in the forest clearing are ripe, and he can invite his friends to an apple festival. Unfortunately, Golo Garden-Dormouse has already picked all the apples just for himself. Max is totally sad, but a solution is found.

In the book Sharing is Fun children see that sharing is fun and that not sharing is just stupid. It is also nice how the friends know how to help each other and make a lot out of a little. Incidentally, a few friends have physical deficits, but these are not the focus; they simply belong as a matter of course and are not excluded because of them.

The Rainbow Fish

The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful in the ocean with his shimmering scales. This makes him stuck-up, conceited, and lonely. Despite his arrogance, the fish want to play with him and admire the Rainbow Fish. But when the Rainbow Fish answers a somewhat cheeky request from a small fish very nastily, the fish finally stop admiring him. Now the Rainbow Fish is lonely and misses the contact with the other fish. The octopus advises him that he could share his scales with the other fish, which the Rainbow Fish then does.

In the book The Rainbow Fish children learn to give in, to share, and to appreciate friendships. The book also clearly mentions what joy sharing brings when he sees how the others are happy about this gesture.

Educationally valuable books on the topic of helping others

The Hedgehog and the Great Gift

A hedgehog's nest is simply blown away during a snowstorm, so the hedgehog, warmly wrapped up, sets off for his friend the badger. On the way, he meets many animals that are freezing bitterly. The hedgehog feels so sorry for the animals that he gradually gives them all his warm clothing. Only when he reaches the badger can he warm up again. But the next day, all the animals he helped are waiting for him with a surprise.

In the book The Hedgehog and the Great Gift children learn that you can get a lot back by helping others. The book is beautifully designed, and some refined details invite children to touch them. Here again, a nice detail is that two different animals can be friends.

Luckily You Have Friends

The two friends Wassili Raccoon and Sibelius Badger have nothing left to eat after the winter and set off to catch a fish for dinner. On the way, they encounter several animals that are in trouble and whom they help. When they are almost at the river, it is already getting dark, and it is too late to catch a fish. Hungry, they head home. When they open the door at home, a big surprise awaits them.

In the book Luckily You Have Friends children are shown in loving pictures (which even glitter!) how important it is to help your friends and that it can happen that something good happens to you as a result. A nice children's book about friendship and the meaning of helping.

Come, says the cat

A cat saves itself from the flood on a tree, which unfortunately is torn away and turns into a boat. The cat lets all the other animals that are also drifting on the water onto its tree, until the fox comes along. The animals do not want to grant him refuge, but the cat says 'Come', and that is good, because the fox ultimately helps the animals.

In the book Come, says the cat children are lovingly shown that it is a matter of course to help others in need, that you should not only think of yourself, and that everyone needs a place where they can live.

Also read: The best toy for four-year-old children

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