Emotional Literacy - A Big Future Starts With Little Feelings
Help your students develop social-emotional skills with kid-tested, psychologist and parent-approved, tiny-knee-slapping stories from Zoy.
The Magic of Stories
The Magic of Stories
Why build a story app for kids? As all great educators know, stories are incredible learning tools! Not only are they good for literacy, but they are also engaging tools for teaching social-emotional skills like empathy, self-esteem, and communication. With our SEL education-aligned storybook app, we can bring that magic to every classroom.
Our social skills books for preschoolers and elementary-age kids promote emotional development and essential social-emotional learning. But, more than that, they bring classrooms together!
Building Social-Emotional Skills With Stories
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is how children learn to understand and positively engage with themselves, others, and the world around them. SEL includes essential skills such as building empathy, managing emotions, and growing relationships.
Extensive research shows that strong SEL skills are linked to improved mental health, academic performance, and other positive life outcomes. Recent studies also show that reading and listening to stories are some of the best ways to teach SEL. Our read-aloud stories on the new Zoy app provide the perfect opportunity to help your students build these crucial skills.
Hear From the Professionals!
Linda Garcia
New York, USA Zoy’s Classroom Compass is a fantastic resource. It makes integrating SEL into our curriculum effortless and engaging for the kids.
John Wilson
California, USA The storybooks from Zoy are a staple in my classroom. They’re beautifully written and truly capture the essence of SEL for young minds.
Mohammed Ahmed
Texas, USA Zoy’s app and printed books have been a hit in my kindergarten class. The stories resonate with the kids and teach important emotional lessons.
Susan Lee
Florida, USA Implementing Zoy’s SEL Empowerment Toolkit has revolutionized the way we approach emotional learning in early childhood education.
Brian Thompson
Washington, USA Zoy’s stories are not just stories; they’re tools for teaching empathy, kindness, and emotional awareness in a fun and engaging way.
Anita Rodriguez
Arizona, USA The Calm Corner feature in Zoy’s app is perfect for helping my preschoolers manage big emotions and find a moment of peace.
Emily White
Oregon, USA Zoy’s digital stories have made SEL a daily part of my teaching. The interactive elements keep the children engaged and excited to learn.
Jessica Kim
Colorado, USA Using Zoy’s workbooks alongside their stories has greatly enhanced the SEL learning experience in my classroom. The children love the activities.
Karen Patel
Illinois, USA We’ve incorporated Zoy’s SEL resources into our preschool program. The positive impact on our students’ emotional intelligence is remarkable.
Derek Johnson
Massachusetts, USA Zoy’s SEL resources are invaluable. They provide a comprehensive approach to teaching emotional intelligence in a way that’s easy for children to understand.
What Zoy Can Offer Your Classroom
Storybook App
The Land of Zoy is a magical place where students and educators can dive into the fun together! Our read-aloud stories support emotional development for preschoolers through engagement with relatable characters and unique plots with an undercurrent of humor. These stories are the perfect resource for incorporating SEL into everyday learning. Make sure to look out for our mascot – a silly baby elephant who’s learning these skills herself!
Need to calm and refocus the class?
Help your students take a break by visiting our Calm Corner, a huge bonus feature for subscribers, where you’ll find relaxation stories from our certified clinical hypnotherapist.
Need to Calm Down?
Explore the Magical World of Zoy
Every story at Zoy is created by our team of writers and illustrators, then given to our educators, mental health professionals, and parents to ensure that it’s fun, engaging, and effective in teaching essential SEL skills and concepts. Here are some examples of the books you can find in our reading app:
A Welcome Message From Our
Founders
The idea of crafting stories with a message is something near and dear to our hearts and home, and we’re excited to help you build this space for your family as well. We welcome you and your family to Zoy!
Zoy - From Our Family to Yours
As parents of two boys, our founders Afshin and Sahar are no strangers to the importance of developing social-emotional skills and their positive impact on a child’s life.
Reading bedtime stories as a family has always been a highlight of their day. They realized that even five minutes of dedicated time before bed allowed them to connect and bond. Through years of reading to their children, Afshin and Sahar have seen the power that stories hold as a learning tool and are excited to provide a platform for parents and educators that combines their love of bedtime stories with the skills kids need to thrive.
The development of these crucial social-emotional learning skills and mental health go hand-in-hand.
Meet Zoy’s Team of
Experts
Carrie Turner
Texas, USA Carrie is a children’s author and editor who’s written over 2 dozen children’s books and edited many more. After studying Child and Family Development at Stephen F. Austin, she taught…
Watch Intro Video 
Ashley Bugge
Washington, USA Ashley Bugge is an award-winning author and K-12 educator, who utilizes her training and expertise in the subjects of human behavior and leadership to create authentic and transformational material for…
Watch Intro Video 
Elena Gjorgjevska
Bitola, North Macedonia Elena Gjorgjievska is a fine artist, painter, and illustrator living in Bitola. Love drawing and painting since an early age. She has an MA degree in painting from the Faculty…
Watch Intro Video 
Katy Crawford
New York, USA Katy holds a Master’s Degree in Education with over ten years of special education classroom experience focusing on behaviors. Katy has a passion for social-emotional learning and has put her…
Watch Intro Video 
Mary Beth Bass
Massachusetts, USA Mary Beth Bass is an award-winning fiction writer with a side of teaching and theatre. She’s also written about life-changing food, far-off places, silly kids, and big secrets! She loves…
Watch Intro Video 
Richard Anderson
California, USA Richard Anderson is a comedy writer who grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where he fell in love with Dr. Seuss and other whimsical storybooks. After graduating from the University of…
Watch Intro Video 
Saskia Helen
Missouri, USA Saskia Helen is a former educator and SEL specialist who now provides countless families and classrooms with essential tools for building relationships, supporting and uplifting children, and helping them to…
Watch Intro Video 
David Tate
California, USA David has a background in more traditional literature for older audiences, but after writing his first children’s book a few years back, he fell in love with the idea of…
Watch Intro Video 
Dr. Sabahat Shah
Florida, USA Bibi Sabahat Shah is a therapist and child development expert who works with children and families. Her goal is to help families nurture what is most important for healthy minds…
Watch Intro Video 
Natalia Hartono
Surabaya, Indonesia Natalia is an illustrator based in Indonesia. She has loved illustration and character design (and cute things!) since childhood. She currently works on children’s book illustrations and character design for…
Watch Intro Video Mariia Shabadash
Mykolaiv, Ukraine Since childhood, Mariia was interested in painting and was charmed by how every painter depicted their vision of the world. Having become an illustrator of children’s books, Mariia obtained an…
Watch Intro Video 
Enghel Garcia
Laguna, Philippines Enghel Garcia is a psychometrician turned graphic illustrator who has been drawing since she was 5. She loves watching animated series. After having a Psychology Degree and becoming a Psychometrician,…
Watch Intro Video 
Olena Danilchenko
Massachusetts, USA Olena is an award-winning, proactive growth-minded strategic marketing leader with diverse experience in global marketing and consulting roles. Olena has over 25 years of experience developing new go-to-market strategies and…
Watch Intro Video 
Education Center
Educators can easily find various resources from quick, skim-friendly blogs to more in-depth articles. Develop social and emotional skills at your own pace and join a community of people doing the same!
Can’t get enough of this SEL teaching stuff? Neither can we! New resources are added each week.
Building Social-Emotional Skills Through Stories
Zoy’s Sticky Thanksgiving
- Relationship Skills Self-Management Social Awareness
Zoy isn’t feeling very thankful this Thanksgiving. In fact, it seems like just another day to her. That all changes when Zoy meets a new friend with a different perspective. Can Zoy learn to be grateful for what she has?
Without Poobie
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
Ruben takes his blanket with him everywhere. After a while, his blanket gets too dirty and needs a wash. How will Ruben get through laundry day without his beloved blanket?
Why The Long Face?
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
Pretzel Sticks is a horse who’s sick of eating the same old thing, but when he tries to eat an apple, he faces obstacle after obstacle! How will he deal with the disappointment? Maybe with the help of some friends he meets along the way…
Two Homes for Gnaomi
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Gnaomi’s father is a gnome and her mother is a fairy. She loves getting the best of both worlds! But when her parents tell her that they’re going to separate, she has to come to terms with what “the best of both worlds” really means.
Three Goodnights
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Hazel and her trusty sidekick Dogfish are feeling sad that Daddy is going away on a three-day trip. Hazel tries to stop Daddy from leaving, but nothing works! How will Hazel get through three goodnights without Daddy?
The New House
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Selena is sad and angry about moving away from her old house and everything she knows and loves. Everything about the new house feels bad and wrong. Will a new friend help change the way she feels about it?
The Hole Story
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Social Awareness
Huey the hole is the only hole in the field that Farmer Al doesn’t plant with corn. Huey is worried that he’ll be alone forever, but a new friend helps him learn that being unplanted isn’t his hole story.
The Big Hill
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
It’s snowing! Daisy’s brother, Collin, can’t wait to sled down the Big Hill, but Daisy’s scared. Can Daisy find the courage to speak her mind and face her fears?
The Big Goof
- Self-Awareness Self-Management Social Awareness
When Sonia tries to hide a goof she made, the goofs keep piling up until everything around her is one big goof! How’s Sonia going to find her way out of this mess? Will she learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help?
Sunny and Nimbus
- Relationship Skills Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management
Mother Earth loves her two children, Sunny and Nimbus. But Sunny and Nimbus are always fighting! Can one little flower bring these rival siblings together?
Snow Bunny and the Big Move
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
When Gordo’s parents tell him they’re moving to the desert, his snow bunny heart is broken! As he adjusts to his new desert life, Gordo meets new friends and might even discover some unexpected surprises about himself.
Silly Goose
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management Social Awareness
Hudson the silly goose goes around doing whatever he wants, no matter how it makes other people feel. But a run-in with a sleeping bear might be what it takes to teach Hudson the importance of the golden rule.
Shyla Makes a Friend
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness
Shyla the whale shark is very shy! When she starts school for the first time, she tries with little success to hide from the other students. But her failure to hide might lead to an exciting new friendship…
Rosie says No!
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management Social Awareness
When Daddy asks Rosie to clean up her room, Rosie says no! How can Daddy help Rosie learn about the importance of taking care of things without a power struggle?
Quincy Wants a Friend
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Social Awareness
Quincy the monster just wants to be liked, but maybe she’s trying a little too hard. When a quiet, mouthless girl shows up at monster school, Quincy finally figures out what it takes to make a friend.
Playing Therapy
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Emma’s been feeling nervous all the time and doesn’t know what to do about it! Her mother brings her to someone called a “counselor” to help her face her fears. Therapy sounds scary but, as Emma discovers, it might actually be a whole lot of fun.
Penny’s First Day of Kindergarten
- Self-Awareness Self-Management Social Awareness
The first day of kindergarten is about to start and Penny is TERRIFIED. If only she could bring her trusty dog, Pickles, with her! Will Penny be brave enough to face her fears alone?
One Step at a Time
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
Lia has big ambitions but isn’t sure how to accomplish them. That is, until her friends show her how to set goals so that she can succeed, one step at a time.
My Me-Ball
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
Big feelings can be hard to explain or understand. What if they were all contained within a big ball inside of you? Explore the world of My Me Ball and find out how to live in harmony with even the biggest of feelings!
Lon the Lonely Swan
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness
Lon looks different from other swans, which makes him feel lonely. He wants to change to be accepted by others, but can he learn to accept himself?
Life of a Leaf
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
A great storm blows Leigh the leaf away from her home. Will Leigh be lost forever or will she learn to embrace change?
Leo Has a Secret
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management
Leo uses his father’s best green tie for a dragon’s tail and accidentally ruins it. Afraid of getting in trouble, he hides the tie in the garden. Will Leo own up to his mistake?
Building Social-Emotional
Skills Through Stories
Zoy’s Sticky Thanksgiving
- Relationship Skills Self-Management Social Awareness
Zoy isn’t feeling very thankful this Thanksgiving. In fact, it seems like just another day to her. That all changes when Zoy meets a new friend with a different perspective. Can Zoy learn to be grateful for what she has?
Without Poobie
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
Ruben takes his blanket with him everywhere. After a while, his blanket gets too dirty and needs a wash. How will Ruben get through laundry day without his beloved blanket?
Why The Long Face?
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
Pretzel Sticks is a horse who’s sick of eating the same old thing, but when he tries to eat an apple, he faces obstacle after obstacle! How will he deal with the disappointment? Maybe with the help of some friends he meets along the way…
Two Homes for Gnaomi
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Gnaomi’s father is a gnome and her mother is a fairy. She loves getting the best of both worlds! But when her parents tell her that they’re going to separate, she has to come to terms with what “the best of both worlds” really means.
Three Goodnights
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Hazel and her trusty sidekick Dogfish are feeling sad that Daddy is going away on a three-day trip. Hazel tries to stop Daddy from leaving, but nothing works! How will Hazel get through three goodnights without Daddy?
The New House
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Selena is sad and angry about moving away from her old house and everything she knows and loves. Everything about the new house feels bad and wrong. Will a new friend help change the way she feels about it?
The Hole Story
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Social Awareness
Huey the hole is the only hole in the field that Farmer Al doesn’t plant with corn. Huey is worried that he’ll be alone forever, but a new friend helps him learn that being unplanted isn’t his hole story.
The Big Hill
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
It’s snowing! Daisy’s brother, Collin, can’t wait to sled down the Big Hill, but Daisy’s scared. Can Daisy find the courage to speak her mind and face her fears?
The Big Goof
- Self-Awareness Self-Management Social Awareness
When Sonia tries to hide a goof she made, the goofs keep piling up until everything around her is one big goof! How’s Sonia going to find her way out of this mess? Will she learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help?
Sunny and Nimbus
- Relationship Skills Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management
Mother Earth loves her two children, Sunny and Nimbus. But Sunny and Nimbus are always fighting! Can one little flower bring these rival siblings together?
Snow Bunny and the Big Move
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
When Gordo’s parents tell him they’re moving to the desert, his snow bunny heart is broken! As he adjusts to his new desert life, Gordo meets new friends and might even discover some unexpected surprises about himself.
Silly Goose
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management Social Awareness
Hudson the silly goose goes around doing whatever he wants, no matter how it makes other people feel. But a run-in with a sleeping bear might be what it takes to teach Hudson the importance of the golden rule.
Shyla Makes a Friend
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness
Shyla the whale shark is very shy! When she starts school for the first time, she tries with little success to hide from the other students. But her failure to hide might lead to an exciting new friendship…
Rosie says No!
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management Social Awareness
When Daddy asks Rosie to clean up her room, Rosie says no! How can Daddy help Rosie learn about the importance of taking care of things without a power struggle?
Quincy Wants a Friend
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Social Awareness
Quincy the monster just wants to be liked, but maybe she’s trying a little too hard. When a quiet, mouthless girl shows up at monster school, Quincy finally figures out what it takes to make a friend.
Playing Therapy
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness Self-Management
Emma’s been feeling nervous all the time and doesn’t know what to do about it! Her mother brings her to someone called a “counselor” to help her face her fears. Therapy sounds scary but, as Emma discovers, it might actually be a whole lot of fun.
Penny’s First Day of Kindergarten
- Self-Awareness Self-Management Social Awareness
The first day of kindergarten is about to start and Penny is TERRIFIED. If only she could bring her trusty dog, Pickles, with her! Will Penny be brave enough to face her fears alone?
One Step at a Time
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
Lia has big ambitions but isn’t sure how to accomplish them. That is, until her friends show her how to set goals so that she can succeed, one step at a time.
My Me-Ball
- Self-Awareness Self-Management
Big feelings can be hard to explain or understand. What if they were all contained within a big ball inside of you? Explore the world of My Me Ball and find out how to live in harmony with even the biggest of feelings!
Lon the Lonely Swan
- Relationship Skills Self-Awareness
Lon looks different from other swans, which makes him feel lonely. He wants to change to be accepted by others, but can he learn to accept himself?
Life of a Leaf
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Awareness Self-Management
A great storm blows Leigh the leaf away from her home. Will Leigh be lost forever or will she learn to embrace change?
Leo Has a Secret
- Responsible Decision-Making Self-Management
Leo uses his father’s best green tie for a dragon’s tail and accidentally ruins it. Afraid of getting in trouble, he hides the tie in the garden. Will Leo own up to his mistake?
Zippity Zappity Zoy!
