Helping Children Grow Emotionally, Socially & Academically.

Helping Children Grow Emotionally, Socially & Academically.

Empowering schools, families, and communities through SEL programs rooted in compassion.

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What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults learn to
understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, build positive
relationships, and make responsible decisions. At Heart Bright Learning, we believe
emotional growth is just as important as academic success — and SEL is the key to
nurturing the whole child.

Builds Self-Awareness

Helps children recognize their emotions, understand their strengths, and develop a confident sense of self.

Improves Communication and Empathy

Encourages kids to express feelings clearly, listen actively, and build stronger, more respectful relationships.

Fosters Resilience and Positive Decision-Making

Teaches kids how to handle challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and make thoughtful, responsible choices.

What Makes HBL Unique

In today’s teach-memorize-test approach, our work is unique because it aligns human development with instructional design and continuous improvement.

All HBL’s resources integrate observation, reflection and expression. There is no focus on memorization. Instead, we encourage learner-centered problem-solving, service and idea-centered explorations.

Everyone Grows with Heart Bright Learning

Whether you're a parent, a child, or an educator — our SEL books and tools are designed to support every step of emotional learning at home, in class, and beyond.

Support Your Child’s Emotional Growth at Home For Parents

Support Your Child’s Emotional Growth at Home

Discover easy-to-use tools and book guides that help you build stronger emotional bonds, boost communication, and turn everyday moments into meaningful SEL lessons.

Bring SEL to Every Classroom For Schools

Bring SEL to Every Classroom

Our book-based SEL program supports teachers with tools to integrate emotional learning into lessons — aligned with school values and curriculum.

Helping Kids Understand Feelings

Learning about emotions is fun! Explore games, stories, and activities that help kids understand and talk about how they feel — all from our 15-book SEL series.

  • Stop and Talk interactive quiz
  • Interactive Activity
  • SEL Activities
Learn More

Meet Our Team

  • Jon Madian

    authored a number of children’s books and hundreds of curriculum resources. Scholastic, McGraw-Hill, IBM, Apple and Highlights Magazine have featured his children’s stories and poetry. Jon founded and led the Artist-in-Residence Reading Project in the inner city of Los Angeles. The U.S Department of Education, the California Arts Council and several foundations funded his creative work and research.

  • Karen Jostad-Madian

    managed instructional design teams that produced award-winning educational software such as the broadly used Oregon Trail Simulation. She has a keen interest in process-based learning in Science and Language Arts and has produced instructional and training materials for several publishers and state and federal agencies.

  • Julie Anne Ikenberry

    is an educator, writer and illustrator. Julie has a tricultural background-raised in Kenya, educated in theater and Montessori education in England and lived most of her adult life in the United States. She is devoted to Montessori and founded and led several schools.

  • Joe Garoutte

    wears many hats. His most recent one, audiovisual director and technician, was a pivot when the pandemic shut down live theatre. His production company, Big Britches Productions, continues with live theatre and audio/video projects of all scales today. He has won multiple Telly awards, directed sold-out live shows and lives a life of gratitude and abundance.

  • Jyoti Kumta

    taught and counseled in many schools throughout India. She also worked in the corporate sector as a behavioral assessor but soon realized that her heart lived in schools, especially in Value Education and Social Emotional Learning. She works freelance as a teacher coach looking for every opportunity to integrate Value Education into the school curriculum.

Featured Books

SEL Collection

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Ignite a Heart

You can spark a lifelong love of learning by gifting a book to a child today. Your contribution helps place thoughtful and engaging stories in the hands of young readers, encouraging reflection, curiosity, and connection. It is a small act with a lasting impact.

Gift a book today

What Parents and Teachers Are Saying

Finally, a book that doesn't tell my anxious 5-year-old to 'just be brave!' Instead, it validates her feelings and shows that thinking before acting IS brave. We've read it countless times.
Sarah M.,
Sarah M.,
Homeschooling Mom
As a kindergarten teacher, I use this during our SEL time. The kids connect immediately, and the discussion questions spark amazing conversations about peer pressure.
Ms. Rodriguez.,
Ms. Rodriguez.,
Kindergarten Teacher
My son used to think he had to do dangerous things to prove he was brave. This book changed his perspective. Now he says 'being smart is being brave' when friends dare him to do risky things.
Mike T.
Mike T.
Father of 6-year-old
I've been teaching first grade for 15 years, and this is one of the best SEL books I've found. It opens discussions that help kids understand their emotions without making them feel ashamed of being cautious.
Mr. Thompson
Mr. Thompson
1st grade teacher