Social Intelligence
Kids high in the character strength of social intelligence understand how those around them feel. They are tuned in to how people act, feel and behave, and the discrepancies between these elements, and are comfortable and savvy in different social situations. They may be open to meeting new people and trying new experiences, and self-aware of their own feelings and behaviors. They may also be emotionally intelligent and emotionally flexible.
Underuse of this strength may look like emotional insensitivity, naivety or disconnection; overuse may come across as being overly analytical or sensitive or self-deceptive.
The children’s books curated below explore the strength of social intelligence in a variety of settings, such as understanding what makes an angry person tick, reading the emotions of a friend and being self-aware in difficult situations.
Readers explore the perspectives of three students who have recently moved to the United States. The visceral struggles of each child invites thinking and understanding about our personal and social identities, being new, and meeting others who are new with an open, listening mind. Explore this with Someone New, a companion story to I’m New Here, and Circle Round, a story of inclusion.
Artist: Anne Sibley O’Brien
I’m New Here
You Will Be My Friend explores social intelligence through the experiences of Lucy the bear as she tries to make a new friend.
Lucy is so excited to make a new friend and sets out to do so in a very enthusiastic and forceful way. She tries various methods to make friends, such as pretending to be a tree and dressing up in a silly costume. Despite her best intentions, these attempts do not go over well and she becomes frustrated.
Lucy begins to observe the behavior of other animals and tries to understand their perspectives. She also learns to be patient and persistent, which helps her to eventually make a new friend.
The story highlights the importance of social intelligence in making and maintaining friendships, and shows how learning to read social cues can help us make friends.
You Will Be My Friend!
A funny and self-aware little girl examines her bad mood and feelings. The illustrations of her fantasies and wandering thoughts are cute and surprising, and it’s fun to see where her mind goes as she walks around watching and observing social life around her.
Artist: Shinsuke Yoshitake
Publisher: Thames and Hudson
Why Do I Feel Like This?
Four friends gather in a cave to play and end up disturbing a bear who is trying to sleep there. The friends can’t figure out why the bear is so cranky and, with good intentions, go about trying to cheer him up in insensitive ways that further frustrate the bear. Finally, the considerate sheep steps in and demonstrates understanding, listening and awareness of what was really bothering the bear. Fun and funny to read aloud and demonstrates social awareness and apt social facility.
Artist: Nick Bland
The Very Cranky Bear
When a little boy and his pet elephant are excluded from a pet club, he starts a fun inclusive pet club of his own. The little boy finds others who have been excluded and, together, they unite under a shared philosophy of inclusion and friendly welcome, all with cute exotic pets in tow. Invites kids to explore feelings of being left out, ponder prosocial behavior and think about how they might fit in different social situations.
Artist: Lisa Mantchev (Author) and Taeeun Yoo (Illustrator)
Strictly No Elephants
