Social Emotional Learning Picture Books for the Classroom: Why I Created the Kippy the Kangaroo SEL Books
If you teach elementary, I know you LOVE using picture books to make things relatable! It’s just the easiest way to help with all sorts of things… Kissing Hand (missing parents), First Day Jitters (well… first day jitters)… haha!
So when I started thinking about writing a children’s book, of course my go-to was thinking about all of those behaviors we see on a daily basis. So why not create a cute little character who is working on ALL THE THINGS!
INTRODUCING… KIPPY the KANGAROO!
Sweet little Kippy is starting school with little humans, and there’s so much to learn!
Do you want to come on this journey with us? I think your students are going to fall in love with Kippy!
Meet Kippy 🦘
Kippy is a kangaroo who is still learning how to make good choices in his elementary classroom.
Just like your students.
Each book focuses on one skill and shows real classroom situations kids understand right away.
The first book:
Kippy the Kangaroo Works on Self-Control
It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about practicing.
In his first week at Milton Elementary, Kippy discovers that learning to slow down with bubble breaths and counting to ten before he speaks can be just as important as learning how to read. With gentle guidance from his teacher (a dear friend of mine) and a few silly slips along the way, Kippy begins to understand what self-control feels like and how it helps everyone in the classroom.
This playful rhyming story is perfect for helping young learners build social-emotional skills in a fun, relatable way.
Why Teachers Love Using Kippy
These books are easy to fit into your day.
You can use them during:
morning meeting
SEL lessons
read-aloud time
behavior discussions
And the best part…
Your students will come up with all kinds of ways to Kippy.
Make It Fun With Simple Activities
After students read the book, they can do a few fun activities.
For the book on Self-Control, we have:
- a flipbook where students can discuss the elements of the book (first, next, then last).
- a flipbook where they can discuss what they can do when they have big feelings.
- a flipbook on how to be a good friend
- collaborative poster (In Our Class, We Are Good Friends)
- 2 pages where they can write to Kippy giving him advice on ways to have self-control
- I have also included a bunch of pages where students can put together 5-page booklets and re-write the story however they want. (It comes with actual pictures from the story that they can color). You can read another blog post about how to use these HERE.
All of these are low prep and easy to use.
No extra stress for you.
Take It Home: The Kippy Classroom Journal
This might be my favorite part.
You can send Kippy home with a student each week.
Students:
- take home a stuffed kangaroo
- complete a simple journal page
- share their experience with the class
It builds:
- home-school connection
- responsibility
- excitement
And your students will beg for their turn.
need a stuffy?
If you are looking for a precious “Kangaroo Mascot” for your classroom… here’s the one I have. He’s absolutely precious and he looks like Kippy.
As you know… we had Monty the Monkey as our mascot for over 20 years… and then one day (after hundreds of trips home) a student LOST HIM. I know, right!! And the worst part – I could NOT find the same monkey ANYWHERE! Every once in a while, I do a search – but to no avail.
So my advice… buy 2 stuffy kangaroos and keep one in a safe place for future mishaps.
Real Talk
SEL takes time.
Your students won’t get it right away.
Kippy doesn’t either.
But when you give them:
language
examples
chances to practice
You start to see growth.
Little by little.
🦘 Kippy the Kangaroo Works on Self-Control
What This Book Teaches
This story helps students understand what self-control looks like in real classroom situations.
Kippy makes impulsive choices, then learns how to slow down, think, and make better decisions.
When to Use It
This is a great beginning of the year book, and it also works well when you notice students:
- blurting out answers
- struggling to wait their turn
- reacting quickly instead of thinking
It’s perfect for morning meeting or after a teachable moment.
Extend the Learning
After reading, give students a chance to practice.
You can:
- Have students work on one of the flip books (When I have big feelings or a flipbook on retelling the story)
- Write a letter to Kippy giving him advice on his behaviors or encouraging words to Kippy.
- Use the five-page booklet giving students all kinds of writing options. There are 12 different pages for students to pick from to write their own version of the story.
- Work on Collaborative Poster and writing activity
🦘 Kippy the Kangaroo Works on Playing Fair
Kippy is still learning that games aren’t about winning, they’re about playing fair. In this story, he practices taking turns, following rules, and being a good sport, even when it’s hard.
Learning to play fair is a skill students use every day. This story helps them understand how to take turns, follow rules, and handle winning and losing in a positive way.
When to Use It
This book works well when you notice students:
- arguing during games
- not wanting to take turns
- getting upset when they lose
- changing rules to win
It’s perfect for centers, recess discussions, or before group activities.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Inside the book, Kippy plays the Say it to Win it Game with friends. If you want to add a little excitement, here’s a freebie of our games that I PROMISE… your kids will LOVE!
Suggestion – if you send Kippy home weekly with the journal – add a Say it to Win it game in the bag. It’s a perfect family game. Adults and children can play together, and many times, the child will win (even with parents trying their hardest!) Seriously one of the best games out there!
NO WAY!!! We can play the same game as Kippy??? WHAT!?!?!
Kippy plays our Say It To Win It Game in book 2. Your students will love that they can play it, too!
Grab the freebie below!
KIPPY THE KANGAROO WORKS ON TAKING TURNS
Kippy the Kangaroo loves being first… first in line, first on the slide, first for a sip of water. In this book, Kippy learns that waiting your turn is a big school skill. With Mrs. Gunter’s gentle guidance and a few silly slips, Kippy practices patience, breath-counting, and letting friends go ahead.
This fun rhyming story supports social-emotional learning and helps kids understand turn-taking, self-control, and kindness, one turn at a time.
Raise your hand… tired of hearing “HE CUTTED?”
Let Kippy help!
quick links! (affiliate links)
Teaching SEL doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
When you give students simple language, real examples, and chances to practice, you start to see real growth.
That’s the goal with Kippy.
Simple lessons your students understand.
Activities that make it stick.
And tools you can use right away.
If you’re looking for an easy way to bring self-control and playing fair into your classroom, Kippy is a great place to start.
