SEL Books for Kids

Deep in the rainforest lives an Elephant so sure that nothing small could ever matter to him. But when his careless feet crush a tiny weaver bird’s nest, will Pili simply fly away, or find a way to make a giant listen? Can a creature no bigger than his toe truly stand up to him? This warm, clever tale about courage and respect will delight young readers. This Bookbot level practises the ’ei’ phonogram with words like ‘being’, ‘weigh’, ‘height’, ’eight’, and ‘seize’.

Far from the city, in a cabin where fireflies dance in the darkness, a boy named Cam has a good little lamp that glows beside him as he reads in peace. But what happens when bright electric lights arrive at his fence? Will Cam forget the quiet flame that once lit up his face? And when a fierce storm strikes, who will break the silence of the dark? This decodable reader practises the soft c sound in words like ‘city,’ ‘circle,’ ‘place,’ and ‘peaceful.’

Elephant is the biggest, proudest beast on the plain, and he stamps roughly through every small animal’s garden without a care. But when the river floods and the maize harvest is stranded on the far bank, how can creatures too small to fight ever change his mind? Clever Hare has a plan, though it will take more than muscle to pull off. Could a boast become something braver? This Bookbot level practises the ‘ough’ sound with words like ‘rough’, ’though’, ’tough’, ‘although’, and ‘ought’.

Greedy Gĩcere the hyena eats everything before it’s even cooked, so how can clever Mwĩrĩ the rabbit ever hope to enjoy her sweet potatoes in peace? When she seals the shared clay pot and whispers a brand new rule, will the hungry hyena be patient enough to wait, or will his greed finally get the better of him? Find out who outsmarts whom by the river! This Bookbot level practises the ‘ough’ phonogram with words like ’though’, ‘rough’, ’through’, ’enough’ and ’thought’.

The smell of a rich man’s lamb stew drifts over a stone wall, and poor Habtamu breathes it in with pure joy on his face. But can a smell really be stolen? When his greedy neighbour drags him to court, all Habtamu has is three coins and the plain truth. What clever verdict will the quiet old judge deliver, and who will find real justice at last? This Bookbot level practises the soft ‘c’ /s/ sound with words like ‘face’, ’nice’, ‘once’, ‘grace’ and ‘justice’.

Once, long ago, Crocodile lived on the dry land, walking on his short legs and dragging his tail through the dust. Proud, patient, and always watching, he boasted that other animals came to him and he went to no one. But what happens when the dry season bakes the land, his skin begins to crack, and a little mongoose brings him a green reed still wet with river water? Could the mighty watcher swallow his pride and find where he truly belongs? This Bookbot level practises the ‘ui’ sound with words like ‘cruised’, ’nuisance’, ‘suited’, and ‘bruised’.

Tsuro the Hare is quick, clever, and far too curious to sit still while the Creator hands out secret gifts. But what happens when a little hare listens at a door he was told to leave alone? When the rock cracks and he tumbles inside, will Tsuro ever wish he had waited his turn? A warm, funny folktale about listening, patience, and learning when to keep quiet. This Bookbot book practises soft ‘c’ words like ‘once’, ’notice’, ‘silence’, ‘peace’, and ‘chance’.

Blue Train loves racing under the stars faster than anything in the world - but what happens when he zooms so far that he doesn’t know the way home? Lost among scowling trees and staring at a purple elephant, can a boy with a flute help him find his courage again? A heartwarming adventure about being brave even when you’re scared. This decodable reader practises 3+ syllable words such as “elephant,” “dangerous,” “terrified,” and “everywhere.”

Lila the artist is ready to paint something magical, but poor Yellow the paint tube is quaking on his tiny ladder! All the other tubes have been squeezed flat, and Yellow is afraid he’ll be next. Can Lila convince him that sharing his vivid colour is worth one little squeeze? Will Yellow be brave enough to help finish her masterpiece? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ‘begin,’ ‘famous,’ ‘open,’ and ’tiny.’

Mia spots Lily’s shiny new birthday jacket hanging on the bedspread and just HAS to try it on - only for a second, right? But what happens when paint spills all over it in the classroom? Can Mia hide it in the microwave, scrub it clean in the bathtub, and keep her sister from finding out? Or will the truth come tumbling through the doorway? This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘bedspread,’ ‘classroom,’ ‘microwave,’ ‘bathtub,’ and ‘birthday.’