RedRover Readers: Curriculum and Resources
For trained educators and volunteers
Below is everything needed to implement the RedRover Readers curriculum. Questions?
Contact RedRover at (916) 429-2457 or Readers@RedRover.org.
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Table of Contents
RedRover Readers Learning Objectives and Teaching Guides
The RedRover Readers program is aligned with the Core Competencies for social and emotional learning (SEL) as identified by CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning). Below is a list of books and teaching guides used in the RedRover Readers program that best align with the stated objectives and SEL competencies.
The program aligns to other standards as well. For a complete list of Common Core standards aligned with the program, visit our Standards Guide.
Download this list as a PDF:
View our full list of Recommended Books with Humane Themes
Buddy Unchained
- Teaching Guide
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Self-awareness
Rufo Liberado
- Discussion and Activity Guide
SEL Alignment:
- Social Awareness
- Self-awareness
Call the Horse Lucky
- Teaching Guide
SEL Alignment:
- Self-management
- Responsible decision-making
The Cat Man
of Aleppo
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
Hens for Friends
SEL Alignment:
- Self-management and awareness
- Responsible decision-making
"Let's Get a Pup"
Said Kate
SEL Alignment:
- Self-management
- Self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Looking out for Sarah
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
Lost and Found Cat
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
Nobody's Cats
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Out of the Cold
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
Rescue & Jessica
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me
SEL Alignment:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
The Restricted Adventures of Raja eBook
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Self-awareness
- Relationship skills
RedRover Readers Teaching Guides of Native-centered books in collaboration with Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC) for the EAGLES program
Johnny's Pheasant
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
Winter's Gifts
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
SEL Alignment:
- Self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Goose Girl
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Self-management
- Responsbile decision-making
What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Self-management
Mashkiki Road
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
- Self-management
Summer's Magic
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Bowwow Powwow
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
RedRover Readers Teaching Guides of nature-centered books in collaboration with Forest School in South Texas
Bird Boy
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Each Living Thing
SEL Alignment:
- Social awareness
- Perspective-taking
- Responsible decision-making
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Positive relationships
- Responsible decision-making
Janey Monarch Seed
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Responsible decision-making
Jayden's Impossible Garden
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Positive relationships
- Responsible decision-making
Goose's Story
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Managing emotions
- Responsible decision-making
Retired Program Books
(No longer in print)
Lucky Boy
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
Mrs. Crump's Cat
SEL Alignment:
- Social and self-awareness
- Relationship skills
- Responsible decision-making
Oh, Theodore!
SEL Alignment:
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
Academic Content Standards
Click on a state/province below to download applicable PDF
Resources for a Successful Visit
RedRover Readers Book Loan
Book loans are available to teachers who are having difficulty locating RedRover Readers books on their own.
Student Participation Certificate
Share this with students who participate in RedRover Readers sessions.
RedRover Readers Pencils
Email us to request free RedRover Readers pencils for your students!
Photo Release Forms
Tip Sheet:
Arranging a Visit
Tip Sheet:
Classroom Management
Tip Sheet:
Implementing the Program
Tip Sheet: Pre-Visit Checklist
Coloring Pages and Activities
Outreach Kit
RedRover Readers Research Report
The RedRover Readers program promotes empathy by presenting powerful stories, encouraging children to put themselves in the place of animals, and asking questions that promote critical thinking. A 2009 pilot study of the RedRover Readers program (then called the Humane Education Ambassador Readers) conducted by Inverness Research, Inc. suggests that the program:
- Builds self-esteem and motivates students to take an important subject seriously.
- Stimulates additional student-directed learning.
- Builds students’ knowledge and potentially affects their behaviors related to caring for pets.
- Builds students’ empathy and compassion for pets.
Additional Resources
Recommended Books with Humane-Themes
We are always adding new literature to our recommended list of books with humane-themes. Please send suggestions to Readers@RedRover.org.
Refer a Friend
Know someone who'd love RedRover Readers? Share the learning! When you refer a friend, they'll receive 10% off the online course with the code REDROVER10. Help grow our community of compassionate educators!
We want to hear from you!
Have stories from using the RedRover Readers program? Share them with us at Readers@RedRover.org.