Building Your Classroom Bookshelf

Browse books you can use to support children’s Core Skills

Books We Recommend

This library shares children’s books that can be read to foster each Core Skill. Our book recommendations feature diverse authors, illustrators, and characters. Each book is accompanied by a reading guide, which highlights ways you can engage children while also supporting a specific skill.

Relate

Books that focus on building relationships, supporting self-confidence, and fostering empathy and sense of self
RELATE icon
young girl and toddler reading book

Building Relationships Through Books

explore books: Relationships
Two toddlers hug in a classroom

Fostering Empathy and Sense of Self

explore books: Empathy and Sense of Self
A young boy smiling on the playground

Developing Self-Confidence

explore books: Self-Confidence

Regulate

Books that support young children's growing understanding of emotions and help build their executive function skills
Regulate Icon
children listening to a story. Teacher reading story to group.

Supporting Emotions and Behaviors

Explore Books: Emotions and Behaviors
Teacher points to animal in book as baby looks on

Fostering Executive Function

Explore Books: Executive Function

Move

Books that focus on supporting children's motor skills, self-care, and healthy eating habits
Move Icon - Image Jumping
child painting with twigs

Supporting Motor Skills Through Books

explore books: Motor Skills

Supporting Self-Care and Healthy Habits Through Books

explore books: Self-Care and Healthy Habits

Think

Books that support young children's thinking skills, including imitation, exploration, inquiry, reasoning, and problem-solving
Think Icon - Thought Bubble
Young boy and teacher pretending to use fake binoculars

Supporting Imitation and Exploration

Explore Books: Imitation and Exploration
A teacher explaining her thoughts about an instrument to a toddler

Supporting Inquiry, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving

Explore Books: Inquiry, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving

Think-Math

Books that introduce mathematical concepts in meaningful and engaging ways
Think Icon - Thought Bubble

Exploring Early Math with Infants Through Books

explore books: Early Math with Infants
Child counting quantity of apples

Supporting Numeracy, Operations, and Measurement

explore books: Numeracy, Operations, and Measurement

Supporting Geometry, Spatial Sense, and Patterning

explore books: Geometry, Spatial Sense, and Patterning

Communicate

Books that support young children's communication skills, including language and literacy
Decorative icon used for Communicate Core Skill
Toddler standing holding talking stick

Supporting Early Language Development

Explore Books: Early Language Development
Children on floor listening as teacher holds a book

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