Children’s books are a powerful tool in ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) sessions, especially when working with KS1 and KS2 pupils.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to use books effectively in ELSA sessions and recommend two impactful titles to get started.
With relatable characters, engaging narratives, and age-appropriate language, books can help children better understand and express their emotions, develop empathy, and learn strategies for self-regulation.
Books offer a gentle way to approach complex emotional topics. Whether it’s dealing with anxiety, anger, sadness, or friendship issues, stories provide a framework for discussion and reflection. By observing how characters handle their emotions, children can make connections to their own experiences and learn new coping strategies.
Using books in ELSA sessions can:
Support emotional literacy development
Encourage open discussions in a safe environment
Help children explore and label their feelings
Teach problem-solving and social skills
Provide comforting repetition and predictability
Provide a distance between the child and sensitive topics so they feel supported to talk more openly
When selecting books for ELSA sessions with KS1 and KS2, consider the age, developmental stage, and emotional needs of the child.
Picture books can be effective even for older children when used with care, as they present clear visual cues and simple messages. Look for books with:
Clear emotional themes (e.g., fear, resilience, self-esteem)
Relatable characters and settings
Opportunities for discussion and activities
Inclusive language and diverse representation
Beautiful illustrations that draw in the reader
There are so many fantastic books for Emotional Literacy Support Sessions. Here are a few of our favourites:
This heartwarming book introduces the idea of an invisible string that connects us to the people we love, no matter where they are. It’s perfect for children dealing with separation anxiety, bereavement, or transitions like moving schools.
Session Activity: In ELSA sessions, you can pair the story with creative activities such as drawing their “invisible strings”, creating a memory jar, or making small hearts that can be given to people the child is missing as a reminder of each other.
Ideal for KS1 and lower KS2, “Ruby’s Worry” explores anxiety through the story of a little girl who discovers that talking about her worry helps it shrink. The book opens up important conversations about recognising and sharing anxious thoughts. You can follow the story with a worry box activity, mindfulness breathing, or drawing their own “worry character.”
Session Activity: Create a worry jar, where worries can be written inside and then crossed out when dealt with or discussed with an adult. Even better if this is on a dry-wipe or laminated page, so that worries can be “rubbed away”!
We use Ruby’s Worry in The Story Project curriculum. You can find out more about it here.
A rhyming book with interactive cut-out pages which offers a chance to discuss many different emotions and what these might look or feel like for children. The books metaphors and illustrations help children to identify their emotions.
Session Activity: Create a “rollercoaster of highs and lows” of a child’s day/week with a large sheet of paper and an interactive line. Start on one side of the paper, and draw the rollercoaster line going up, down or wobbly depending on the child reflections of how they felt in that moment. This can then be a starting point for reflection of things that went well, and things that could have gone better.
A rhyming book with interactive cut-out pages which offers a chance to discuss many different emotions and what these might look or feel like for children. The books metaphors and illustrations help children to identify their emotions.
Session Activity: Create an “emotion journal” or piece of art using one colour and an image to express an emotion and how it feels.
Pre-read: Make sure you are familiar with the story and its themes. Highlight any unknown vocabulary and discuss its meaning.
Prompt discussion: Ask open-ended questions like “How do you think Ruby felt?” or “What would you do in that situation?”
Link to real life: Encourage children to share their own experiences in a safe and supportive space.
Use follow-up activities: Reinforce learning with drawing, journaling, role-play, or craft-based activities.
The Story Project uses the magic of stories to improve children’s wellbeing and literacy. Led by high-quality, popular books and rooted in the latest research, we have remarkable impact from Nursery to Year 8 with our fully resourced curriculums created by teachers.
Covering all the statutory elements of the RSHE curriculum (including the new July 2025 RSE changes), our resources help children to stay safe, build empathy, support positive relationships and learn strategies to manage their mental health.
Teachers and children alike love our lessons! The stories create a distance between the topic and the reader, making even those trickier subjects easy and fun to unpack. What’s more, the thought-provoking books make lessons engaging and memorable.
Why not sign up for a free trial?
Find out more by emailing info@story-project.co.uk
The news has felt heavy of late, hasn't it. Social media feels intimidating and the onslaught of negative opinions…
Read More
For eagle-eyed existing schools, you might have noticed that we have 4 new books in our curriculum. When we…
Read More Children’s books are a powerful tool in ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) sessions, especially when working with KS1 and…
Read More
Written by Maisie Waylett, Class Teacher Following on from a previous blog post we’ve written (7 books that encompass British…
Read More
Boost emotional literacy and champion the importance of mental health in primary school during October 2025 Written by Maisie Waylett,…
Read More
Written by Maisie Waylett, Class Teacher Black History Month in the UK, celebrated every October, is an essential opportunity for…
Read More
We’re grateful to the following organisations for their funding and support. With their help, we are building a community to inspire lifelong wellbeing.
We’re proud of what others have to say about us. Take a look at some of the media coverage we’ve attracted.
We believe in a future where all children have the tools, skills and knowledge they need to practise life-long wellbeing, making healthier choices for themselves and others.
