This post is all about Classroom Calm Corner Books.

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Creating a calm corner in your classroom is an awesome way to support your students’ emotional well-being and self-regulation. If you’re interested in how to set up your calm corner on a budget, you should check out my other blog post.

The books you include truly transform this space into a calming area for your kids. Carefully chosen classroom calm corner books can help students process their feelings, build empathy, and develop emotional resilience. It’s always a good idea to have a mixture of books the students can read themselves and books you can read to them. In this post, I’ll share my top picks for books that belong in every calm corner, plus tips for setting up this essential classroom space.

Why Books Are Essential for a Calm Corner

Books offer students a calming way to navigate big emotions. Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, excited or simply in need of a quiet moment, the right book can provide comfort and guidance. Classroom calm corner books can:

Teach social-emotional learning (SEL) skills like empathy, self-awareness, and kindness.
Provide relatable stories that help students feel seen and understood.
Offer calming imagery and positive affirmations to soothe anxious minds.

Including a variety of books in your calm corner ensures it’s a space that truly supports your students’ needs.

Top 10 Classroom Calm Corner Books

Here are my must-have recommendations for your calm corner, organised by theme:

Books About Managing Emotions

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas – This story is a great one for helping children identify their feelings.
When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang – This one helps students learn how to relate their emotions and feel calm again.

Books About Mindfulness and Breathing

Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey – full of calming and mindfulness exercise
I Am Peace by Susan Verde – The pictures in this one are beautiful and it’s about finding peace and being present in the moment.

Books About Empathy and Kindness

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud – This book is all about kindness, perfect for classroom culture, management
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig – all about inclusion and different perspectives

Books About Overcoming Worry

Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival – Helps children understand their worries.
What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner – discusses topics such as anxiety

Books for Comfort and Affirmation

You Are Enough by Margaret O’Hair – Celebrates self-acceptance and self-esteem.
A Little Spot of Feelings by Diane Alber – A series that covers a range of emotions in a fun way that appeals to children

Each of these classroom calm corner books is linked to Amazon

Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Try these Affirmation flashcards, a quick and easy resource to add to your space

Check out my Free Daily Affirmations Resource on TPT

Time-filler activities for teachers, affirmations

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Tips for Setting Up Your Calm Corner

To maximise the impact of your calm corner, keep these tips in mind:

Choose Accessible Storage: Use low shelves or bins to make the books easy for students to access.
Create a Welcoming Space: Add soft seating, like beanbags or cushions, to encourage students to settle in with a book.
Label Your Books: Categorise books by themes, like “Managing Emotions” or “Mindfulness,” so students can quickly find what they need.
Rotate Books: Keep the collection fresh by rotating books based on the season or specific SEL goals you’re focusing on.

Integrating SEL Into Your Calm Corner

Your calm corner can become a cornerstone of your classroom’s SEL approach. Pair these classroom calm corner books with activities like mindful breathing exercises, journaling prompts, or kindness challenges. By integrating these resources, you’ll create a space that not only calms but also teaches valuable life skills.

Conclusion

A well-stocked calm corner can make a world of difference in your classroom. By including thoughtfully chosen classroom calm corner books, you’ll provide your students with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and find peace. Which books will you add to your calm corner? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more SEL ideas? Check out my posts on Creating a Calm Corner and Essential Social-Emotional Learning Strategies.