Text Tools Blog Series Resources
Whether you are preprogramming your child for a big life event or just trying to build their empathy and/or awareness of the various emotions we all experience, children’s literature can be a magically unbiased and impactful way to teach a lesson, explain a concept, support social emotional growth, and fulfill that need for structure all children crave. When children can explore what may happen in a new experience, through another character, they are able to get a preview about what their experience may be like and what feelings might come up, as well as tools that they can use to tackle them. This creates a sense of security that can be instrumental in the behavioral response of your child.
Children’s books are an invaluable resource for guidance, modeling, connection, and inspiration. There are thousands of titles out there that are on topic, age appropriate, and ready to meet the various needs of parents, children, educators, and clinicians everywhere. One of the most beneficial pieces I find in using children’s literature as a tool, in supporting clients (and with my own daughter), is the fact that you can revisit the same beloved titles to work on different skills. Enter the Text Tools Database. Our collection of high-quality children’s literature organizes tiles by topic and cross-references for additional skills that can also be supported with the same text.
Our Text Tools Database was designed with the goal of streamlined efficiency through my lens as an educator and mother. Afterall, practical is what we do best and a thoughtfully curated booklist that sources numerous skills, lessons, and concepts necessary for the development of informed, self-confident, and emotionally regulated children, only made sense as our next Practical Solution in Action. We are taking the research and organization off your plate so you can focus on the countless benefits of that shared reading time.
Contact us today for inquires on how Text Tools can benefit the needs within your parenting structure or if you have specific topics that you’d like to see represented in the database.
©EG
David Ezra Stein’s Text Tools
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Interrupting Chicken | Early Childhood+ | Impulsivity, Excitement, Patience, Interruption, Wait Time, Listening, Frustration, Silliness, Creativity, Perspective, Compromise, Flexibility, Family, Love, Frame Story |
| Interrupting Chicken Cookie for Breakfast | Early Childhood+ | Impulsivity, Excitement, Determination, Patience, Interruption, Wait Time, Listening, Frustration, Silliness, Creativity, Perspective, Compromise, Flexibility, Family, Love, Frame Story, Nursery Rhymes |
| Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise | Early Childhood+ | Impulsivity, Listening, Silliness, Interruption, Perspective, Creativity, Frustration, Flexibility, Compromise, Family, Love, Story Grammar, Frame Story |
| The Worm Family Has Its Picture Taken | Early Childhood+ | Family, Love, Differences, Disappointment, Self-Love, Acceptance, Belonging, Uniqueness, Pride, Picture Day |
| Hush, Little Bunny | Early Childhood+ | Comfort, Security, Love, Family, Calmness, Resetting, Lullaby, Rhyme |
| Honey | Early Childhood+ | Patience, Perseverance, Exploration, Adventure, Hibernation, Seasons, Descriptive Language, Figurative Language |
| Ice Boy | Elementary+ | Silliness, Creativity, Perspective, Listening, Adventure, Bravery, Science, Water Cycle |
| Tad and Dad | Early Childhood+ | Love, Family, Separation, Comfort, Security, Togetherness, Growing Up, Independence, Trying New Things, Accomplishment, Pride, Frog Lifecycle, Bedtime, Descriptive Language |
| Pouch! | Early Childhood+ | Growing Up, Independence, Security, Comfort, Exploration, Trying New Things, Making Friends, Fear, Separation |
| Leaves | Early Childhood+ | Curiosity, Exploration, Problem Solving, Determination, Discovery, Hibernation, Seasons |
| Because Amelia Smiled | Elementary+ | Connection, Kindness, Separation, Sharing, Inspiration, Love, Relationship, Paying it Forward |
| I’m My Own Dog | Early Childhood+ | Self-Love, Self-Sufficiency, Independence, Teamwork, Friendship, Love, Silliness, Role-Reversal |
| Dinosaur Kisses | Early Childhood+ | Exploration, Trying New Things, Determination, Problem Solving, Love, Discovery, Self-Love, Dinosaurs, Uniqueness |
| The Nice Book | Early Childhood+ | Kindness, Love, Problem Solving, Listening, Sharing, Personal Space, Making New Friends, Synonyms |
| Cowboy Ned & Andy | Elementary+ | Friendship, Kindness, Thoughtfulness, Determination, Perseverance, Teamwork, Discovery |
| Ol’ Mama Squirrel | Early Childhood+ | Parenting, Protection, Bravery, Pride, Teamwork, Community, Love, Family |
| Love Mouserella | Elementary+ | Expression, Creativity, Family, Love, Letter Writing, Writer’s Block, Voice, Silliness, Stream of Consciousness |
| Monster Hug | Early Childhood+ | Silliness, Taking, Turns, Sharing, Friendship, Routine, Family, Kindness |
Lia Pinelli’s Text Tools
Mind + Body Life Coach
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eat More Colors | Breon Williams | Elementary | Alphabet, Nutrition, Colors |
| Eat Your Colors | Terry Harris | Early Childhood | Early Nutrition, Colors |
| Eating the Alphabet | Lois Ehlert | Early Childhood | Alphabet, Early Nutrition, Colors |
| Edible Numbers: Count, Learn, Eat | Jennifer Vogel Bass | Early Childhood | Numbers, Colors, Nutrition, Plants |
| Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition | Lizzy Rockwell | Elementary | Nutritional Facts, Basic Physiology, Basic Metabolism |
| I Can Eat a Rainbow | Olena Rose | Early Childhood | Routine, Nutrition, Creativity, Choice |
| Mealtime | Elizabeth Verdick | Early Childhood | Routine, Nutrition, Manners, Community, Transitions, Trying New Things, Respect |
| Plant, Cook, Eat!: A Children's Cookbook | Joe Archer | Elementary | Farm-to-Table, Nutrition, Plants, Gardening, Cooking |
| The Boy Who Loved Broccoli | Sarah A. Creighton | Elementary | Imagination, Confidence, Gratitude, Helpfulness, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Nutrition, Perspective, Kindness, Sharing, Perseverance |
| Title | Author | Age Group | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Zones | Dan Buettner | Adult | This book is intended for parents and is an interesting study that looks at longevity and lifestyle, including food traditions |
| Hungry Planet: What the World Eats | Peter Menzel | Adult | A fun way to see what people eat around the world, and to learn that we can all eat different things and still be healthy |
Madeline Lopez’s Text Tools
M.S. CCC-SLP (Speech and Language Pathologist)
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me First! | Helen Lester | Elementary | Turn Taking, Sharing, Manners, Patience, Perspective, Kindness, Multiple Meaning Words |
| All For Me and None for All | Helen Lester | Elementary | Sharing, Greed, Patience, Kindness, Multiple Meaning Words, Repetition, Prediction |
| Tacky the Penguin | Helen Lester | Elementary | Acceptance, Inclusion, Self-Love, Individuality, Perspective, Creativity, Kindness, Respect, Belonging, Teamwork, Descriptive Vocabulary |
| Alto and Tango | Claire Schumacher | Elementary | Friendship, Kindness, Empathy, Compassion |
| Complete Adventures of Curious George | H. A. Rey + Margret Rey | Early Childhood | Curiosity, Adventure, Exploration, Compassion, Empathy, Communication, Mischief, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Gratitude, Predictable Story Structure |
| Clifford’s Big Book of Stories | Norman Bridwell | Early Childhood | Empath, Compassion, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Acceptance, Inclusion, Belonging, Perseverance, Resilience, Color Recognition (Red) for Youngest Readers |
| Swimmy | Leo Lionni | Early Childhood | Acceptance, Belonging, Inclusion, Self-Love, Creativity, Sadness, Resilience, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Courage, Bravery |
| The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Series | Betty MacDonald | Elementary | Problem Solving, Behavior, Manners, Turn Taking, Sharing, Patience, Perspective, Teamwork, Imagination, Creativity |
| The Amelia Bedelia Series | Peggy Parish or Herman Parish | Elementary | Imagination, Creativity, Perspective, Adventure, Problem Solving, Perseverance, Resilience, Resetting/Trying Again, Patience, Figurative Language |
| Corduroy | Don Freeman | Early Childhood | Belonging, Resilience, Determination, Adventure, Imagination, Creativity, Acceptance, Responsibility, Empathy, Friendship, Self-Love, Compassion, Kindness |
| Go Away Big Green Monster | Ed Emberley | Early Childhood | Fear, Anxiety, Bravery, Confidence, Descriptive Language |
| Harold and the Purple Crayon | Crockett Johnson | Early Childhood | Imagination, Perspective, Creativity, Possibility, Adventure, Problem Solving, Logical Thinking |
| Helga High Up | Marjorie Weinman Sharmat | Elementary | Self-Love, Acceptance, Belonging, Inclusion, Confidence, Resilience, Perspective, Problem Solving, Taking A Stand, Logical Thinking, Pride, Multiple Meaning Words |
| The Jaden Toussaint Series | Marti Dumas | Elementary | Problem Solving, Teamwork, Logical Thinking, Teamwork, Adventure, Creativity, Confidence *Great for reluctant readers |
| The Henry and Mudge Series | Cynthia Rylant | Elementary | Friendship, Inclusion, Adventure, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Kindness |
| The Cam Jansen Series | David A. Adler + Susanna Natti | Elementary | Mystery, Friendship, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Logical Thinking |
| A House for Hermit Crab | Eric Carle | Elementary | Growing Up, Transitions, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Community, Calendar, Concept of Time, Kindness, Friendship, Sharing, Descriptive Vocabulary |
| Dr. De Soto | William Steig | Elementary | Kindness, Empathy, Compassion, Risk-Taking, Hard Working, Bravery, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Determination |
| The Fancy Nancy Series | Jane O’Connor | Elementary | Adventure, Creativity, Self-Love, Problem Solving, Perspective, Logical Thinking, Confidence, Kindness, Friendship, Imagination, Descriptive Language, Synonyms |
| The Dumpster Diver | Janet S. Wong | Elementary | Creativity, Recycling, Perspective, Exploration, Adventure, Teamwork, Bravery, Imagination, Sharing, Problem Solving, Kindness, Innovation |
| Goodnight Gorilla | Peggy Rathmann | Early Childhood | The simple text on some pages and absence of text on others allows for endless language building possibilities |
Lesley Entwistle’s Text Tools
M.Ed. -Educator and Mother
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look, Look! | Peter Linenthal | Infancy | Black/White Images |
| Dear Zoo | Rod Campbell | Early Childhood | Flaps, Predictable Sequence, Animal Recognition |
| Where’s Spot | Early Childhood | Flaps, Location/Prepositional Language | |
| See, Touch, Feel | Roger Priddy | Early Childhood | Sensory Stimulation, Texture, Reflective Components |
| The Usborne Touchy Feely Series | Watt. Fiona | Early Childhood | Sensory Stimulation, Texture, Reflective Components, Animal Recognition, Animal Attributes |
| Peek-a-Who? | Nina Laden | Early Childhood | Sensory Stimulation, Texture, Reflective Components, Animal Recognition |
| All Sandra Boynton Books | Sandra Boynton | Early Childhood | Alphabetic Principal, Humor, Rhyme, Rhythm, Animal Recognition, Animal Sounds, Emotions, Inclusion, Song |
Janan Cain’s Text Tools
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|
| The Way I Feel | Early Childhood | Social-Emotional Development, Self-Love, Feelings: Silly, Scared, Disappointed, Happy, Sad, Angry, Thankful, Frustrated, Shy, Bored, Excited, Jealous, Proud |
| The Way I Act | Elementary | Social-Emotional Development and Regulation, Self-Love, Behaviors/Actions/Feelings: Curious, Responsible, Compassionate, Trustworthy, Brave, Friendly, Persistent, Respectful, Cooperative, Capable, Active, Considerate, Imaginative |
| Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone | Elementary | Safety, Following Directions, Problem Solving Strategies, Self-Regulation, Exploration, Curiosity |
Patrice Karst’s Text Tools
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|
| The Invisible Leash | Elementary | Anger, Connection, Depression, Faith, Greif, Imagination, Kindness, Loneliness, Perspective, Sadness, Support |
| The Invisible String | Early Childhood | Anxiety, Community, Connection, Fear, Imagination, Kindness, Loss, Love, Possibility, Separation |
| The Invisible Web | Early Childhood | Community, Connection, Divorce, Faith, Family, Imagination, Inclusion, Kindness, Loneliness, Loss, Love, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Sadness, Support |
| The Smile That Went Around the World | Elementary | Community, Happiness, Kindness, Perseverance, Selflessness, Sharing, Support, Warmth |
| You Are Never Alone | Early Childhood | Consistency, Love, Parenting, Security, Separation |
Barney Saltzberg’s Text Tools
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Age Group | Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Drew and Drew | Elementary | Creativity, Determination, Imagination, Inspiration, Opportunity, Perspective, Possibility |
| Arlo Needs Glasses | Elementary | Getting Glasses, Optimism, Visiting the Eye Doctor |
| Beautiful Oops | Elementary | Creativity, Imagination, Inspiration, Opportunity, Optimism, Perseverance Perspective, Possibility |
| Chengdu Can Do | Early Childhood | Determination, Independence |
| Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep | Early Childhood | Bedtime, Falling Asleep, Persistence |
| Crazy Hair Day | Elementary | Anxiety, Creativity, Embarrassment, Perseverance |
| Dog and Rabbit | Early Childhood | Friendship, Loneliness, Patience, Persistence |
| Enough is Enough! | Early Childhood | Personal Space, Taking a Break |
| Hug This Book! | Early Childhood | Encouragement, Love of Reading, Possibility, Sharing |
| One of These Is Not Like the Others | Early Childhood | Acceptance, Belonging, Community, Differences, Friendship, Inclusion, Self-Love, Similarities |
| Redbird Colors, Colors, Everywhere! | Early Childhood | Colors, Creativity, Imagination |
| Redbird Friends Come in Different Sizes | Early Childhood | Differences, Friendship |
| Star of The Week | Elementary | Anxiety, Creativity, Imagination, Inspiration, Optimism, Persistence, Possibility |
| Tea with Grandpa | Early Childhood | Connection, FaceTime, Family, Rituals, Routines, Traditions |
| Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC: A Mixed-Up, Mashed-Up Melody | Early Childhood | ABCs, Imagination |
| We’re All in the Same Boat! | Early Childhood | Flexible Thinking, Perseverance, Teamwork |
| Would You Rather be a Princess or a Dragon? | Early Childhood | Comparison, Differences, Possibilities, Similarities |
Transitioning to a Big Kid Bed
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Additional Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Big Bed for Jed | Laurie Friedman | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Anxiety, Nervousness, Adapting to Change, Teamwork |
| A Big Kid Bed is Coming | Liz Fletcher | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Anxiety, Nervousness, Adapting to Change, Imagination, Adventure, Perspective, Possibility, Creativity, Problem Solving Tools, Pride |
| Big Bed for Giraffe | Michael Dahl | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Adapting to Change, Safety, Creativity, Persistence |
| Big Enough for a Bed | Apple Jordan (Sesame Street) | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Adapting to Change, Similarities and Differences, Problem Solving Tools |
| Big Kid Bed | Leslie Patricelli | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Nervousness, Adapting to Change, Exploration, Curiosity |
| I Sleep in a Big Bed | Maria van Lieshout | Early Childhood | Try New Things, Growing Up, Adapting to Change, Similarities and Differences, Problem Solving Tools, Nervousness, Routine, Pride |
| My New Big Kid Bed | Debbie Bertram | Early Childhood | Anxious, Nervousness, Routine, Adapting to Change, Try New Things, Perseverance |
| Your Own Big Bed | Rita M. Bergstein | Early Childhood | Animals, Growing Up, Similarities and Differences, Try New Things, Adapting to Change |
Flexible Thinking
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Additional Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Day is Ruined | Bryan Smith | Upper Elementary | Empathy, Perspective, Preservice , Resilience, Self-Regulation, Optimism |
| The Pink Refrigerator | Tim Egan | Upper Elementary | Inspiration, Perspective, Try New Things |
| Ish | Peter H. Reynolds | Elementary | Inspiration, Perspective, Try New Things, Determined, Resilience, Creativity, Pride, Self-Love, Perseverance, |
| Not Norman | Kelly Bennett | Elementary | Perspective |
| Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes | James Dean | Early Childhood | Perspective, Mindset, Resilience, Optimism |
| Windblown | Édouard Manceau | Early Childhood | Perspective, Opportunity, Creativity, Inspiration |
| Good News, Bad News | Jeff Mack | Early Childhood | Perspective, Optimism |
| A Little Spot of Flexibility | Diane Alber | Elementary | Perspective, Optimism, Adapting to Change, Motivation, Creativity, |
| No Fits, Nilson | Zachariah OHora | Early Childhood | Perspective, Self-Regulation, Teamwork, Tools |
| Going Places | Paul A. Reynolds | Elementary | Perspective, Thinking Outside the Box, Teamwork, Patience, Resilience, Imagination, Creativity, Inspiration |
| Bread and Jam for Frances | Russell Hoban | Elementary | Perspective, Try New Things, Inspiration, |
| Marigold Bakes A Cakes | Mike Malbrough | Elementary | Perspective, Try New Things |
| It's Okay to Make Mistakes | Todd Parr | Early Childhood | Resilience, Perspective, Try New Things, Self-Love, Optimism |
Equality + Justice
Enjoy this sample from the Text Tools Database currently in development. The formal database, will have linked content to these tools, authors and resources.
| Title | Author | Age Group | Additional Teachable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| A is for Activist | Innosanto Nagara | Elementary | Acceptance, Activism, Belonging, Bravery, Courage, Democracy, Inclusion, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Persistence, Taking A Stand, Teamwork |
| A Little Book About Activism | Courtney Ahn | Early Childhood | Courage, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Persistence, Taking A Stand, Resilience, Teamwork |
| A Little Book About Justice | Ashwin Chacko | Early Childhood | Acceptance, Belonging, Inclusion |
| Acceptance is my Superpower: A children’s Book about Diversity and Equality | Alicia Ortego | Elementary | Acceptance, Belonging, Confidence, Empathy, Inclusion, Perspective, Pride, Self-Love |
| Equality’s Call | Deborah Diesen | Elementary | Acceptance, Activism, Belonging, Bravery, Courage, Inclusion, Perseverance, Persistence, Resilience, Voting Rights |
| Say Something | Peter H. Reynolds | Elementary | Activism, Bravery, Courage, Empathy, Individuality, Inspiration, Optimism, Hope, Taking A Stand |
| Separate is Never Equal | Duncan Tonatiuh | Upper Elementary | Acceptance, Belonging, Bravery, Courage, Empathy, Inclusion, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Persistence, Resilience, Segregation, Taking A Stand |
| She Persisted | Chelsea Clinton | Upper Elementary | Acceptance, Activism, Belonging, Bravery, Courage, Feminism, Inclusion, Inspiration, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Persistence, Resilience, Taking A Stand |
| That’s Not Fair | Courtney Butorac | Elementary | Acceptance, Belonging, Empathy, Inclusion, Meeting Needs, Perspective |
| The Story of Ruby Bridges | Robert Coles | Upper Elementary | Acceptance, Belonging, Bravery, Confidence, Courage, Inclusion, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Persistence, Segregation, Taking A Stand, |
| We’re Different, We’re the Same | Bobbi Kates | Early Childhood-Elementary | Acceptance, Belonging, Inclusion, Perspective, Self-Love, |
| We March | Shane W. Evans | Upper Elementary | Activism, Bravery, Courage, Optimism, Hope, Perseverance, Resilience, The Civil Rights Movement, Teamwork |