Free SEL Books for 2nd Graders
We believe every child deserves free access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Explore free SEL books for 2nd graders ages 6-7. Read childrens books online for free featuring emotions, self-awareness, empathy, and healthy relationships. Download free story books PDF or enjoy free read aloud books online.
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?
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.
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?
My Hair
Have you ever wondered about all the amazing things you can do with your hair? Join a young girl who discovers that her long hair is perfect for every season - keeping cool in summer, catching snowflakes in winter, and looking beautiful with autumn leaves! She uses her hair to hold art supplies, creates wild styles for dress-up days, and even imagines birds making a nest in it. What creative hair adventures will she dream up next?
No One Like Me
A curious young animal searches the entire world, wondering if anyone else is quite like them. From the water hole to forests and beyond, they look everywhere for a kindred spirit. What will they discover about what makes them unique? Join this gentle adventure of self-discovery and acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are SEL books valuable for 2nd graders learning to read?
Social emotional learning books give children language for experiences they encounter every day – managing frustration, making friends, showing empathy – which creates an immediate personal connection to the text. Springer (2022) found that narrative stories about relatable situations deepen comprehension because readers actively connect events to their own lives. Free SEL books for 2nd graders on Bookbot are phonics-leveled for 2nd grade skills like vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and multi-syllable words, so children build decoding fluency while exploring feelings and relationships. All titles are free to read on the Bookbot website.
Where can I find free social emotional learning books for second grade?
Bookbot offers a collection of free social emotional learning books for second grade that can be read free on the Bookbot website, with many titles also available as downloadable PDFs. Each title follows a structured scope and sequence aligned to 2nd grade phonics milestones. Ehri et al. (2001) found that systematic phonics instruction combined with meaningful, engaging text produces the strongest reading outcomes, and free feelings books for 6 year olds on Bookbot deliver exactly that at no cost.
How do free SEL books for 2nd graders build emotional vocabulary alongside reading skills?
SEL stories introduce emotion words – terms like ‘disappointed,’ ‘anxious,’ ‘compassionate,’ and ‘frustrated’ – within narrative contexts that make their meanings clear and memorable. Scarborough (2001) identifies vocabulary breadth as a critical strand of skilled reading, and emotional vocabulary is an area fiction uniquely develops. Free SEL books for 2nd graders on Bookbot embed these words in decodable text so children practice sounding out complex words while genuinely learning what they mean. For tips on making the most of shared reading, see the benefits of reading aloud.
Can free feelings books for 6 year olds be used for read-aloud discussions at home or school?
Absolutely. Takacs and Bus (2020) found that shared reading with discussion significantly boosts both comprehension and vocabulary development. Free feelings books for 6 year olds on Bookbot are ideal for read-aloud sessions because their themes – dealing with anger, navigating friendships, understanding differences – naturally spark conversation. Teachers and parents can read these books together with children on the Bookbot website, and many titles include PDF downloads for offline use. These sel books for 2nd graders free online make SEL integration easy and completely free.