How I Discovered a Treasure Trove of SEL in Nonfiction Picture Books

Key Points

• Nonfiction picture books about the brain for elementary children unexpectedly provide rich opportunities for teaching SEL by incorporating SEL concepts like self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and relationship-building while presenting scientific facts about the brain.
• These books emphasize individuality and uniqueness by explaining how every brain is different and using engaging figures and scenarios to show children how understanding their brain’s functions can help them manage emotions, overcome challenges, and develop a growth mindset.
• Authors and illustrators use vibrant illustrations, engaging titles, and accessible language to teach children about the brain, which not only educates kids about neuroscience but also equips them with SEL skills.

A chance encounter with a little girl in our local library helped me find what I was not looking for.

I’d come to the library to stock up on nonfiction picture books focused on the brain—part of my research on how picture books can be used to teach elementary school kids about their own brains. It was her interest in one of my picture books that grabbed my attention. But it was not until sometime later that this entire experience made REAL sense.

What I Found

That day, I decided to focus only on nonfiction picture books because I wanted to find out how they could be used by teachers to educate elementary school kids about their brains. One can easily find the components of social and emotional learning (SEL) in fiction picture books! You know, the kind of stories where curious characters find themselves in sticky situations. These stories usually end with main characters proving their spirit, resilience, and growth into better people. Parents, educators, and anyone with interest in fiction picture books that teach kids empathy, social and self-awareness, self-management, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making won’t struggle to find them and will enjoy the SEL such books provide.

But what about nonfiction picture books? I pored over each nonfiction book, looking for science facts on the parts and functions of the brain. And there they were! Gosh, all the easy-to-understand facts you’d ever need about the brain can be found in these colorful, creatively designed informational booksy.

But there was something else … SEL! Hidden discreetly among pages and art and design and fantastic titles. As I read each book, I gasped as I found what I was not looking for: authors who took responsibility to teach kids how to accept themselves and manage their emotions and their behavior. And all about relationships at home, at school, and on the playground—all while they taught them about their brains and the functions of each part of this phenomenal organ.

These books focused on kids living and facing challenges in different spaces. I marveled at the ease with which authors shared messages about accepting yourself to young readers. They let children know that having a brain means that you are born as a unique individual. No two brains are exactly alike! Your brain allows you to be only YOU. “Your brain is in charge of all the thoughts, feelings, memories that make you YOU… that’s kind of a big deal” (The Brain Is Kind of A Big Deal by Nick Seluk), even if you share many similarities with your siblings, family, friends, teachers, or other people. This message echoed throughout all of the nonfiction picture books I read.

Science + Emotions

While these books explained brain functions, they also quietly presented empathy as kids reached out and tried to understand each other. Children showed tolerance by helping each other in different situations on the playground, during sports, and at home. The books put self-awareness boldly on display as kids contended with the kinds of challenges all children tend to experience. When these kids were given knowledge of how the brain works, they were either able to overcome challenges or to see opportunities to overcome them in stages by taking small steps to gain success.

Kids also learned social and emotional skills by being aware of how they see themselves and their ability to change. These were real instances where SEL met growth mindset! They showed responsibility and relationship-building as kids were taught that having a brain, and a unique brain, does not mean you can’t be responsible for your own actions.

A Treasure Trove of SEL

Hey, I can’t speak for anyone else who has had experiences with reading nonfiction picture books. I can only share my experiences with discovering the rich and awesome SEL opportunities these books provide for us as parents, teachers, caregivers, and for anyone who loves children’s literature.

It was awesome to see how authors and illustrators used fantastic pictures or illustrations, magnificent colors, bold engaging titles, and text to share great facts about the brain, while at the same time providing a treasure trove of SEL. The brain is the most important organ in the human body and controls all of its activities, emotions, memories, and thoughts. Knowledge about the brain lets kids know about their unique personality, gifts, and talents. The brain that lives inside their heads helps to reassure them that they are not alone and are more human than they may sometimes be made to feel.

Will you read some nonfiction picture books today? See how many treasures of SEL nuggets you can find and share them with kids!

Here are some nonfiction books featuring SEL recommended by the author of this blog:

• How to Train Your Pet Brain, by Nelly Buchet (ages 3-8)
• Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: A Growth Mindset Book for Kids to Stretch and Shape Their Brains, by JoAnn Deak (ages 4-8)
• Santiago Saw Things Differently: Santiago Ramón y Cajal. Artist, Doctor, Father of Neuroscience, by Christine Iverson (ages 5-9)
• The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal, by Nick Seluk (grades 1-3)

The views in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CASEL.

Sermantha Louisy is a Ph.D. student studying education at the University of Iowa. Her research interests include the science of teaching and learning, SEL, and the brain.

Related Posts:

• Mathematics and SEL Are a Natural Pair
• How SEL Supports Climate Justice Education
• Building “STEMpathy”: Engineering Inclusive Classrooms Through Project-Based Learning

Write for Us

Are you interested in writing for CASEL’s blog, Constellations? Learn more about what we’re looking for and how to pitch your idea!