SEL Books for Kids
In the Deep
Anika stands at the water’s edge, clutching her snorkel and feeling very unsure about this whole ocean thing. What if it tastes like pickles? What if something with tentacles is waiting? But once she dips below the waves, a secret world of glowing specks, baby turtles, flying fish and a color-changing octopus opens up. Will Anika find her courage in the deep blue? This decodable reader practices prefixes in words like ‘inhale,’ ’explore,’ ‘detect,’ ‘retreat’ and ‘debrief.’
It's On Backwards!
It’s the biggest morning of Min’s life - her very first day of school! But there’s just one tiny problem: nobody has ever taught her how to do up the buttons on her brand-new uniform. Mummy is busy, Daddy is busy, and even Grandpa walks right past. Can Min figure it out all by herself before the bell rings? And what happens when she finally tries? This decodable reader practises the augh phonogram in words like ‘caught,’ ‘daughter,’ ’taught,’ and ’laughter.’
Let's Bee Friends
Zom the zombie is tired of shuffling neighbours who only groan about brains. Can he find a friend who talks about literally anything else? When a golden hive buzzes in a nearby tree, Zom is sure he’s struck gold - a whole neighbourhood of new pals! But bees are busy little workers, and shaking their home turns out to be a very bad hello. How can Zom make things right? This decodable reader practises the eigh phonogram in words like ’eight,’ ‘weight,’ ‘freight,’ and ’neighbour.’
The Cloud Above Diane
Diane is the proudest litterbug around - until she wakes up one morning to find a stinking cloud of rubbish hovering right above her bed! Flies buzz, wrappers swirl, and the cloud follows her everywhere she goes. Can Diane figure out how to make her smelly shadow disappear? Will anyone want to sit with her at lunch, or is a small grey rat her only friend now? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘about,’ ‘open,’ ’even,’ and ‘only.’
Lost in the Dark
When Max brags he can race to the river and back before dinner, his friends follow him straight into a forest shortcut that isn’t really a shortcut at all. Mist curls around the trees, something cracks in the bushes, and suddenly the dark has sounds in it. Will climbing an old elm tree keep them safe? And who on earth is calling their names? This decodable reader practises the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrapped,’ ‘wrenched,’ ‘wriggled,’ and ‘wristwatch.’
Me First!
Rabbit has a big plan: he’s going to be FIRST at everything in his new class! First to settle in, first in the race, first to finish his painting, first at sums - easy, right? But somehow Bee, Turtle, Dog, and Owl keep beating him to it. Poor Rabbit starts to tremble. Could there be something special he’s first at after all? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il sound in words such as ‘gentle,’ ’turtle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘pencil,’ and ‘people.’
My Comb
What do you do when every bird on the farm has a crown except you? On a sunny holiday visit, one determined child admires Rooster’s bright red comb, Peacock’s feathery fan, and Heron’s elegant plume - but none of them will share! Could there be another way to wear a crown that is just right? This decodable reader practises the ‘ui’ phonogram in words such as ‘suits,’ ’nuisance,’ ‘fluid,’ ‘pursuit,’ and ‘suitable.’
My Feet Won't Listen!
Bop has been waiting for the Bantengan parade all year, and he’s determined to learn every single dance move before he gets there. But when he tries to twist his wrists and strike a pose like Big Brother, everything goes wrong! His legs wriggle, his arms flap, and he tumbles straight into the bushes. Can Bop find a way to make his feet finally listen? This decodable reader focuses on the ‘wr’ sound in words like ‘wrists,’ ‘wriggle,’ ‘wrong,’ and ‘wraps.’
My Wheel Ran Away!
Meet Ambulance - a shiny truck who was born to go FAST! But Mr. Chow, her kind driver, takes it slow and steady through every street. When a new paramedic swaggers in, grinning and ready to fly, Ambulance finally gets her wish for speed. But will zooming through town be everything she dreamed? This decodable reader practises the soft c sound in words like ‘ambulance,’ ‘city,’ ‘race,’ and ‘bounce.’
No Pals? No Lunch!
Tiger thinks being alone is simply blissful - no noisy pals, no messy friends, just warm sun and peaceful quiet. But when every mouse, fawn, and bird bolts the moment she twitches an ear, her tummy starts to grumble louder and louder. Can a lone hunter really hunt with nobody around? And what happens when the forest goes completely silent? This decodable reader practises suffixes in words like ‘blissful,’ ‘proudly,’ ’tightly,’ and ’loudly.’