Stories That Heal:

The Magic of Social-Emotional Learning Books

This month, I’ve been delving into Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) books, a trend I hope is here to stay. Someone wise (I don’t remember who) once said, “Write the story you wish you’d read as a child.” As I try to think of topics to write about, I also have to ask myself, what was happening with me as a child? How did I feel? What books did I love, but more so, what would I have loved and needed that I couldn’t find? I’ve racked my brain recalling what books I read. There were many great stories and authors of the 1960s. Some of my favorites are now considered classics: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See by Eric Carle, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodka. Of the five, only two would be considered SEL – Where the Wild Things Are (temper tantrums and time-out) and The Giving Tree (Love, friendship, and loss). My absolute favorite, though, was the Little Golden Book version of A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin.  Though Stevenson’s book of poems was originally published in 1884, this 1969 edition, paired with Wilkin’s illustrations, grabbed my heart and made the Victorian-era poetry relatable to me. I saw myself in Wilkin’s children. Their world looked like mine, and I wore the pages thin. What was it that made me love this so much? Certainly, Stevenson’s descriptions of common childhood discoveries, nature, play, even illness (The Land of Counterpane) had something to do with it, but also, I think, it was Wilkin’s quiet, soft, baby-faced children who looked so innocent and vulnerable to the days unfolding. I, too, felt innocent and vulnerable. But seeing her children navigate their lives somehow made me feel like I could, too.     

Lately, I’ve read several SEL books that have resonated with me — stories that I believe would have comforted and strengthened me during my own childhood. Unlike the SEL books of my generation, these newer stories dive straight into the heart of difficult emotions. Take neurodiversity, for example: Make It All Go Away by Helen Docherty gently explores how overwhelming sounds or textures can affect us and offers comforting ways to cope. Depression, loneliness, and the challenge of finding one’s voice appear in stories like, A Voice in the Storm by Karl James Mountford and The Cloud that Stuck by Karen Krossing, reminding readers it’s okay to cry and work through sadness at our own pace. Sweet People Are Everywhere by Alice Walker reassures us that kindness exists, even when the world feels harsh. With Magick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride, the idea of drawing strength from family roots and cherished objects becomes a powerful tool for self-worth. Finally, Perfectly Imperfect Mira by Faith Pray celebrates the courage to try, fail, and try again, embracing our unique paths without comparison. Each of these books doesn’t just list problems, they offer gentle guidance, a sense of belonging, and a reminder that, whatever our age, we can always grow from a good story.

This month, under Recommended Reads you can read about Magick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride, illustrated by Violeta Encarnacion. And under the Activities section check out Make a Memory Box, inspired by McBride’s book.