Free SEL Books for Kids
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Our SEL books help young readers ages 5-9 understand emotions, build relationships, and develop self-awareness, featuring characters navigating feelings, resolving conflicts, and growing in empathy.
I Love My Mom
Meet a little kid who loves their mom more than anything! Mom knows how to do so many amazing things - from cooking yummy lunches to growing beautiful plants and even riding bikes. Every day brings a new adventure and something new to learn together. But what special skills will this child discover along the way? And what will make Mom the proudest of all?
Sad Tune
A lonely girl sits by her window playing the saddest song on her flute. Her tears turn into musical notes that float away on the breeze, becoming raindrops that fall across the meadow below. The animals in the field hear her sorrowful tune and wonder who could be so unhappy. A curious rabbit sets off to discover the source of the heartbreaking melody. Will the creatures of the field be able to help the sad girl feel better?
A Special Flower
Meet a little white oak flower who feels different from all the other blossoms. While other flowers seem so much more beautiful with their bright colors and pretty shapes, this flower wonders why it looks so unusual. One night, the stars seem to whisper a secret message. What will the flower discover on its magical journey through the world? Can being different actually be something wonderful?
All of Us
Living in a crowded house with Grandma, Pa, aunts, uncles, and a baby is driving one kid crazy! There’s no room to run, play, or make noise without getting tangled up and in trouble. All this child wants is some space to have fun with their cat. But what would happen if that wish actually came true? Would an empty house really be as wonderful as it sounds?
In My Life
Meet a child who discovers the special people and things that make life wonderful! From playing games with friends to riding bikes with grandad, from cozy stories with nan to learning about plants in the yard—there’s so much to love. What are all the amazing things that make YOUR life special?
No Pals
Tiger likes being alone and doesn’t want any pals. She’s fierce, powerful, and prefers peace and quiet to noisy friends. But when all the animals disappear and Tiger finds herself truly by herself, what will she discover about solitude? Join Tiger on a surprising journey about what it really means to be alone.
The Butterfly Garden
Diya is shy and loves butterflies, but she’s nervous about talking in class. When her school visits the park, something magical happens—her passion for butterflies gives her the courage to speak up! Will Diya discover that sharing what she loves can help her make new friends and find her voice?
We All Help
Jan’s special day is coming up, and everyone in the family wants to help make it amazing! Mom is cooking, Dad is preparing decorations, and other family members are all pitching in with their own special talents. What wonderful surprise are they creating together? Read along to discover how teamwork and love make the perfect celebration!
Best Pals
What makes a best pal so special? Discover all the wonderful things best friends do together—from sharing snacks and cheering each other on, to helping when things get tough. Join this celebration of friendship and learn what it really means to have a best pal by your side.
Flip, Flop!
A little fish is tired of being a fish! He tries to stand like a rabbit, but the rabbit laughs at him. He tries to fly like a bird, but that doesn’t work either. Then a friendly cat invites him closer… but is the cat really being friendly? Just when the fish feels hopeless about finding where he belongs, he meets someone unexpected. Can a fish who doesn’t want to be a fish finally find a true friend?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do stories about feelings and emotions improve reading skills?
Stories about feelings create emotional investment that keeps children reading. When a child identifies with a character’s experience, they engage more deeply with the text, strengthening the comprehension strand of Scarborough’s Reading Rope (2001). Research on narrative absorption (Frontiers, 2022) confirmed that emotionally engaging stories increase attention and memory for text. On Bookbot, every free SEL book is also a decodable reader, so children build word-recognition skills alongside emotional understanding.
What formats can I use to access free SEL books on Bookbot?
Bookbot’s free SEL books can be read online on the website, and many also include features such as read-aloud narration or downloadable PDFs. Everything on the website is free. Takacs and Bus (2020) found that multimedia features like narration and text highlighting support literacy gains in young children. These free options make it easy to explore topics like empathy, kindness, and managing emotions at home or in the classroom.
Why should SEL books be part of early reading instruction?
Combining social-emotional themes with reading practice serves two developmental goals at once. Children in grades K-3 are forming foundational social skills at the same time they are learning to decode text, and SEL stories provide the motivation to read that sustains regular practice. Wang (2025) found a positive link between emotional competence and reading outcomes in young children. Bookbot’s free SEL books are levelled by phonics so educators can slot them into literacy lessons while also addressing social-emotional learning goals.
Are Bookbot's SEL books organised by reading level?
Yes. Every SEL title is mapped to a structured scope and sequence that progresses from simple letter-sound patterns to advanced decoding. Ehri et al. (2001) showed through meta-analysis that systematic phonics instruction produces significant benefits for readers in grades K-3. Teachers and parents can select SEL books that match a child’s current decoding level and then move to the next stage as skills develop, keeping the reading appropriately challenging.