PW #SEL Booklist features ONE WAVE AT A TIME

I'm pleased to say that my picture book One Wave at a Time, illustrated by Ashley Crowley and published in April by Albert Whitman & Co., is featured in a recent Publishers Weekly "Social and Emotional Learning Booklist."


Author Shannon Maughan introduces the PW list:

"We asked children’s book publishers to tell us about some of their more recent efforts to market and promote books that encompass social and emotional learning themes. In addition to sharing how they connect with educators, librarians, caregivers, and counselors, publishers also pointed to some of the top titles they’ve been spotlighting in this area, and we’ve compiled them as a resource list.

"Though there are surely many books focused on SEL themes—including some that are very well-known and loved—this list intentionally focuses on publishers’ most recent SEL-related titles."

See the full PW Social and Emotional Booklist of over 60 titles--mostly picture books with a few MG and YA titles.


I wrote One Wave at a Time especially for children, parents, siblings, friends, teachers, librarians and caregivers who have lost someone special or know someone who has. While the book targets the 4-8 age group, it is also intended for all ages. Sometimes simple lyrical writing can be a much-needed comfort at a difficult time. I'm so pleased that One Wave at a Time is featured in this list and especially hope that the book will be included in more school, community and bereavement group libraries. This Teacher's Guide also appears on my website. Thank you to publisher Albert Whitman & Co. for not shying away from publishing #SEL titles.


When I teach my GrubStreet picture book writing classes, I always include a focus on #SEL books.

And while I already know and love Katie Yamasaki's When the Cousins Came . . . 

and Jessica Love's Julián is a Mermaid . . . 

and Michael Ian Black's I'm Sad, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi , , ,

as well as a number of the other books on the list, I can't wait to read the rest. Social and Emotional Learning books for children are so vitally important! I'm so grateful for this PW list, and I look forward to checking out all of these #SEL titles.