Over the past several months, I’ve been doing a deep dive into the world of self regulation in order to plan a Tier 1 classroom guidance curriculum. I gathered a big list of books for counselors to either use in their lessons to support the skills taught in the curriculum or for counselors to suggest to teachers in order to create a classroom-counseling connection. The books focus on integral skills such as recognizing emotions, understanding that emotions change, behaviors that are and are not appropriate to the situation, calming strategies, and perspective taking. What self regulation books do you use with your students? Check out the list to see if you find any to add to your shelf!
Pressed for time? See them all here on this Amazon list.
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60 Self Regulation Books for School Counseling
Books about Basic Emotions
Before students can begin to understand how to regulate their emotions, they have to first understand what emotions are and how they feel! These books will help students to develop an emotional vocabulary and gain a better understanding of the emotions they experience.
Glad Monster, Sad Monster, Ed Emberly
My Many Colored Days, Dr. Suess
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis
When I Feel Angry, Cornelia Maude
Listening to My Body, Gabi Garcia
The Great Big Book of Feelings, Mary Hoffman
Books About Changing Emotions
When students understand the basic emotions they experience and what they feel like in their bodies, they can then begin to recognize changes in these emotions. They can also detect different levels of emotions. These books will help students recognize changes in the characters emotion and see how the characters manage these changes.
Lizzy’s Ups and Downs, Jessica Harper
Sometimes I Feel Like a Storm Cloud
Double Dip Feelings, Barbara Cain
When Miles Got Mad, Sam Kurtzman-Counter
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really, Angry, Molly Bang
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days, Shelly Becker
If you’re looking for an activity for this book, check out this post with a sorting activity for your students.
Books about Behaviors
Understanding what behaviors fit in certain situations is an important self regulation skill!When students understand how their behaviors affect others and how others will respond to their choices, they understand how their choices will affect other people’s emotion levels. These books look at behaviors that are inappropriate to the situation and positive alternatives.
David Gets in Trouble, David Shannon
David Goes to School, David Shannon
What Were You Thinking? Lisa Griffen
It’s Hard to be a Verb, Julia Cook
My Mouth is a Volcano, Julie Cook
What Should Danny Do?, Adir Levy
What if Everybody Did That?, Ellen Javernick
I’m in Charge of Me, David Parker
Books about Problem Size
Understanding how big problem really is helps students to gauge their responses! These books will helps students understand when they can solve problems on their own and when they should ask for help.
Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal, Jeanie Franz Ransom
Bumps, Hills, and Mountains, Julie Balderston
Books about Calming Strategies
Once students understand their own emotional responses and the context of their behavior, they can choose calming strategies that will help them to regulate and make positive choices. These books provide ample strategies for calming the body and mind.
My Incredible Talking Body, Rebecca Bowen
Check out this post for activity ideas and a free printable!
For a craft idea for this book and free yoga printable cards, check out this post!
Breathe Like a Bear, Kira Willey
The Lemonade Hurricane, Licia Morelli
Charlotte and the Quiet Place, Deborah Sosin
Moody Cow Meditates, Kerry Lee MacLean
Books about Thinking Strategies
Another important aspect of self regulation is understanding how thoughts affect feelings and behaviors. Use these books to help students develop positive self talk, encouraging mantras, and flexible thinking skills.
Of Course It’s a Big Deal, Bryan Smith
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, JoAnn Deak
My New Best Friend, Sara Marlowe
Listening with My Heart, Gabi Garcia
There’s a Bully in My Brain, Kristin O’Rourke
Books about Empathy & Perspective Taking
The ability to see a problem from multiple perspectives helps students to better regulate and choose a response that honors everyone involved. These books will help students recognize that there are always unseen facts and different perspectives!
Stand in my Shoes, Bob Sornson
You, Me, and Empathy, Jayneen Sanders
Hey Little Ant, Phillip and Hannah Hoose
They All Saw a Cat, Brendan Wenzel
I am the Dog, I am the Cat, Donald Hall
The Other Side of the Story, Nancy Loewen
What books do you use to teach self regulation skills? I’m looking for more to support my self regulation curriculum! Let me Let me know in the comments, and be sure to check out these other books that I love!
Is there a list of the book titles and authors all in one? I’d love to track down as many as possible!!
Hey Kat! I have all of these books grouped here on this amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-4c762b02?listId=2YVY2JQH4EYY1&ref=idea_share_inf
I work in a 3-5 elementary school. Which of these books are better targeted for that age range?
Listening to My Body, Even Superheroes Have Bad Days, What Were You Thinking, What if Everybody Did That, My Incredible Talking Body, I am Peace, I am Yoga, Anh’s Anger, My Day is Ruined, Of Course it’s a Big Deal, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, Listening with my Heart, There’s a Bully in my Brain, You, Me, and Empathy, Hey Little Ant
Thank you so much!