Change is never easy—especially for children. Whether it’s starting school, moving to a new home, adjusting to a new teacher, or simply saying goodbye to what’s familiar, transitions can feel overwhelming. As adults, we often look for the right words to reassure and support the children in our care, but sometimes, the most powerful comfort comes through story.
Books give kids a safe space to explore big feelings, see their experiences reflected, and discover that they’re not alone. The five picture books below offer gentle, age-appropriate ways to talk about change and uncertainty. Each one is filled with warmth, insight, and practical strategies to help children build resilience during life’s many transitions—whether at home, at school, or somewhere in between.
For some of the books on this site, I have created interactive read-alouds to enrich their use in the classroom. These interactive read-alouds include discussion questions, activities, and prompts that engage students and deepen their understanding of the book’s themes. More interactive read-alouds are on the way. If there are specific books for which you would like to see a read-aloud created, please contact me using the form at the bottom of the page.
To learn more about supporting social-emotional learning and using interactive read-alouds in the classroom, check out these posts:
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Summary: When Lily must move to a new home in Iowa to live with her grandmother, she feels anxious, hollow, and uncertain about what lies ahead. As they drive through the muddy spring landscape, Gran gently suggests a mindfulness game: find ten beautiful things before they arrive. At first, Lily resists. But with each mile, she begins to notice the quiet beauty around her—a sunrise, the smell of spring mud, a cloud shaped like a swan. As the storm inside her mirrors the rain outside, Lily eventually discovers the final and most meaningful beautiful thing: the bond between her and Gran. This tender story captures the quiet transformation that can happen when we slow down and look for the good, even in the midst of loss.
Description: Ten Beautiful Things is a gentle, lyrical exploration of change, resilience, and emotional healing. Though it never explicitly states why Lily is moving, the ambiguity allows this story to resonate with many children experiencing upheaval—be it a move, a family separation, or entering foster or kinship care. Through its mindfulness-based framework, it offers a powerful way to model gratitude, perspective-shifting, and emotional safety during transition. The narrative’s soft pacing and rich illustrations provide space for reflection, making it an ideal read-aloud during quiet moments or after big changes.
Reviews and Considerations: Readers describe this story as “heartfelt,” “tender,” and “achingly beautiful,” with many noting its emotional depth and usefulness in the classroom. Teachers have used it to spark rich discussions about seeing the good in hard situations, while parents appreciate how it validates a child’s complex feelings without overwhelming them. While a few noted that the theme of an unwanted move might not align with their expectations, most found the open-ended storytelling a strength, especially for children facing uncertain or difficult transitions. Many praised the realistic portrayal of emotions and the powerful message that beauty—and hope—can still be found, even when everything feels unfamiliar.
Summary: In this reassuring entry from the My Dragon Books series, Diggory Doo, the lovable pet dragon, faces one of childhood’s toughest challenges: moving to a new home. When his human friend explains they’ll be leaving behind their house, school, and favorite places, Diggory is confused, scared, and more than a little angry. Through gentle conversation and playful guidance, Diggory learns what to expect from the move, how to say goodbye, and how to start fresh—making new friends while cherishing old memories. This engaging story helps children process their big emotions in a fun, accessible way.
Description: Unlike more nuanced picture books, Diggory Doo! It’s Moving Day! is a direct teaching book designed to help kids understand and manage the transition of moving. Its simple language, clear emotional cues, and concrete examples make it especially well-suited for younger children who need extra support navigating change. The story walks through common fears—missing friends, new schools, unfamiliar routines—and models coping skills like asking questions, staying hopeful, and making connections in a new place. With its upbeat tone and colorful illustrations, it turns a scary situation into a manageable one.
Reviews and Considerations: Parents and educators consistently praise this series for tackling big topics in child-friendly ways, and this volume is no exception. Many noted that the book resonated with kids facing both local and long-distance moves, sparking valuable conversations about feelings and expectations. Teachers have used it in SEL lessons, and military families in particular highlighted its helpfulness during relocations. While the storyline is straightforward and instructional, that’s exactly what makes it such a valuable tool for helping children feel understood—and empowered—during times of change.
Summary: Diggory Doo the dragon is back—and this time, he’s struggling with change. Whether it’s a new teacher, a closed pool, a different soccer team, or a move to a new home, Diggory just wants things to stay the same. Luckily, his human friend Drew is there to help him understand that while change can be scary, it can also be an opportunity to grow. With patience and perspective, Diggory learns that adapting to new situations can lead to new joys, new friends, and new adventures.
Description: Help Your Dragon Deal With Change is another direct teaching book from the popular My Dragon Books series. Unlike traditional narrative stories, this book is designed specifically to teach children how to understand and cope with life’s transitions. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations keep kids engaged while addressing common worries around new experiences. Perfect for classroom discussions, therapy sessions, or bedtime reassurance, this book walks through relatable scenarios and models positive coping strategies in a simple, digestible format.
Reviews and Considerations: Parents, teachers, and counselors consistently praise this book for being accessible, relatable, and practical. Many shared how it helped children facing not just big moves but day-to-day transitions like classroom changes or losing access to familiar routines. Reviewers appreciated the concrete examples and gentle, supportive tone, with many saying their children asked to read it repeatedly. While a few noted the focus on the dragon’s resistance to change lasted a bit long before resolution, most found the story to be an effective starting point for conversations about flexibility, anxiety, and positive thinking.
Summary: Big emotions can be hard to understand—especially for children. Listening to My Body is an interactive teaching book that helps kids make the essential connection between their physical sensations and their emotional experiences. With gentle narration and practical exercises woven throughout, this book guides children through the process of tuning in to their bodies, naming their feelings, and developing early self-regulation skills. It’s not a story in the traditional sense but a thoughtful tool to build body awareness and emotional vocabulary.
Description: Written by a licensed professional counselor, Listening to My Body serves as a foundational SEL resource for building interoception—the awareness of internal cues like tight shoulders, fluttery stomachs, or clenched jaws. The book pairs sensory descriptions with emotional language, helping children recognize what they’re feeling before emotions escalate. The included “Let’s Practice” pages offer simple, kid-friendly mindfulness and self-regulation exercises. This book is ideal for helping children process transitions like moving, starting a new school, or navigating uncertain routines by giving them tools to notice and name how their bodies are reacting.
Reviews and Considerations: Parents, educators, and therapists widely praise this book for its clarity, calming tone, and practical value. Many report it becoming a favorite read—especially among children who struggle with meltdowns, anxiety, or big feelings. It’s frequently used in counseling, special education, and trauma-informed classrooms. While some reviewers note it’s more of a teaching guide than a story, most appreciate the interactive elements and use it flexibly—reading a few pages at a time or pairing it with emotion-focused lessons. It’s a standout choice for helping kids develop the self-awareness and language needed to better understand themselves and handle change with confidence.
Summary: When Chester Raccoon is too scared to go to school, his mother shares a family secret to help him feel brave: the Kissing Hand. With a simple gesture—kissing his hand and pressing it to his cheek—Mrs. Raccoon assures Chester that her love will always be with him, even when they are apart. This touching story helps children cope with separation by offering a comforting symbol they can carry with them wherever they go.
Description: A beloved classic since its release in 1993, The Kissing Hand is often used by parents and teachers to ease transitions like starting school, daycare, or camp. While the forest setting and animal characters create a gentle, imaginative backdrop, the emotional themes are deeply relatable to young children experiencing separation anxiety. The book’s sweet ritual can be easily adapted into family routines, helping children feel connected and reassured during times of change.
Reviews and Considerations: Praised for its tenderness and emotional resonance, The Kissing Hand continues to be a go-to read for families and educators navigating early separations. Many readers shared personal stories of how the book helped their children (and themselves) through first days of school, cross-country moves, and even goodbyes to loved ones. Teachers especially value it for building classroom community and easing back-to-school jitters. While some may find the sentimentality strong, most find its message comforting, timeless, and incredibly effective at reinforcing a child’s sense of security and love.
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