The social-emotional-learning practice of Elliott McCray, Ed.S., built in the classroom, not the boardroom. Interactive story-comics that read themselves aloud to every child: six free forever, no account needed.
Start where your child is. All four rooms are the same practice: one for readers and school-age kids, one built from scratch for the very youngest, one for tweens and teens, and one built entirely around noticing and naming a feeling before deciding what to do with it.
The founding practice
30 interactive story-comics, ages 4–16: Elliott's own SEL practice, turned into stories kids ask to read again.
Browse all 27 →
The youngest room in the house
26 stories, A to Z, built from scratch for ages 3–5. Sprout the seedling reads every page aloud. Letters A–F are free to try.
Visit the garden →
For tweens and teens, ages 10–16
Five interactive comics for tweens and teens: social-media comparison, self-talk after a setback, media literacy, a resilience toolkit and belonging, guided by Auntie Nia. Plus a larger practice library for counselors, shared directly.
Visit Stay Strong →Four gentle guides return in every story, and each story brings friends of its own. Tap a friend's name to open their story.
Friends you'll meet along the way
Also in the library: our classic stories with Mia (Magic Words), Amani (Brain Power) and Maya (Stay Strong), plus a whole shelf of Grown-Up Practice companions.
A missed shot. The night before a new school. A friend who suddenly goes quiet. The McCray Learning Lab turns those moments into short, warm story-comics a child can play through alone or beside a grown-up.
A friendly voice reads every word aloud, three Word Power words grow their vocabulary, and, one calm choice at a time, they rehearse the skill for real life.
Six foundational comics on growth mindset, resilience, and friendship: the best place to begin.
The same moments retold with the grown-up as the learner: how to coach a child through the hard part.
Fifteen newer stories that pair a social-emotional skill with a real reading skill: double duty in one story.
When Grace and Eli both grab the last swing at recess, Pip the peace owl guides them through dragon breaths to calm down, then the F.A.I.R. steps to fix the problem together.
Amani falls at the second climbing bar and says “I can’t do it.” With her buddy Andre and Sprout the seedling, she learns that hard things are exactly what grow a brain, one YET at a time.
Mia has always been praised for being smart, until a hard puzzle stumps her. With Theo and Bloom the brain, she learns that brains grow like muscles: trying IS the exercise.
Three weeks before the rematch, Riley trains the mind game with Coach Mac and Sprout: calming her body’s alarm, flipping “I can’t” with the word YET, and treating every missed shot as information.
Kai is the new kid with three weeks until basketball tryouts and a loud inner Doubt. Guided by Bloom (his own brain), he trains the mind game until YET wins.
An affirming, interactive resilience toolkit for Black tweens and teens, guided by elder mentor Auntie Nia through nine “Things”, plus a bonus toolkit and a finale.
The night before her first day at a new school, June's worry grows as big as a giant. With Sprout the seedling, she learns a tiny three-step recipe to shrink it back down: name it, breathe it, and take one small brave step.
Malik really wants to read his first big chapter book, but every time he starts, his tablet buzzes and the Pull whispers 'just check it.' Follow Bloom the brain and help Malik grow his finish muscle, all the way to the last page.
Malik's best friend Zuri walked right past him at lunch, and his fast feelings said 'she's being mean.' Follow Malik and his guide Pip to slow down the Snap, read the clues on someone's face and day, and find the whole story before you decide.
Sam is the new kid, and at lunch nobody makes room. Noor sees it and freezes, then learns how to go from just watching to helping, with calm, kind, brave words.
Ivy is brand-new at Maple Street School and stands at the edge of the lunchroom, wishing she had a place. With Sprout, her growing buddy, she learns the small brave moves that turn 'I don't belong' into 'there's room for me', and then 'there's room for you, too.'
Zola's new classmate Theo does things his own way: he sorts instead of stacks, hums, and covers his ears when it gets loud. Help Zola look closer, make room for Theo, and discover that his different way makes the whole team stronger.
Deja fired off a quick joke in the class group chat, but with no face to show her smile, it landed mean, and now a sneaky voice called the Fill-In keeps whispering that everyone's mad. Follow Deja and Bloom to learn the one skill every chat needs: reading tone when you can't see a face.
It's almost midnight and Imani posts a selfie she loves. Then a feed full of 'perfect' posts makes her want to delete it. Help her read what's really behind the filter and remember she's already enough.
Micah's dog Biscuit died, and it feels like a heavy stone. Auntie Nia sits down beside him and shows him how to name the big feeling, keep a memory, and carry a love that doesn't leave.
Marcus is moving (a new home, a new street, a new school) and a wobbly little voice says nothing will feel like home again. Follow his growing buddy Sprout to find the steady inside the change.
Everybody at school got the new light-up Glow Kicks, everybody but Malik. Follow him and Sprout the seedling to learn a trick for when you want something SO bad: stop, sort the need from the want, and count all the good stuff you've already got.
Zora thinks she has no family story to tell, until Auntie Nia shows her it was waiting in the voices all along. Zora gathers her roots, puts the story in order, and tells it in her own voice on Heritage Day.
The community-center reading corner is neglected and a grown-up says it has always been that way. Zuri and Micah learn the three moves: notice, plan, and bring it together to the director. With Zuri, Micah & Auntie Nia.
The class lines up the same way every day and June's friend is always last. June turns the bother into a kind question, discovers the rule is just a habit, and the class tries something fairer. With June & Bloom.
The same kids are always picked last for teams, and this week it is Marcus. With Sprout he builds the three-part words, picks his moment, and Coach Mac truly listens. With Marcus, Sprout & Coach Mac.
Showing a slice of the library: all 30 comics live in the full Story Finder.
Every comic is built on transformative SEL (Jagers, Rivas-Drake & Williams, 2019): social-emotional learning in service of equity, organized around five focal constructs (identity, agency, belonging, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving). The TSEL badge on each card names the story's primary construct.
A Self-management and early-literacy story where children learn the Word Power words WORRY, CALM, and BRAVE as a repeatable, retell-in-order calm-down recipe (name it → breathe it → shrink it). With June & Sprout.
Why it works: Naming a feeling ('affect labeling') and slow breathing with a long, extended exhale are evidence-based ways to down-regulate the body's stress response, while retelling a routine in first/next/last order builds the early-reading comprehension skill of sequencing.
A self-management focus story braided with reading stamina, teaching the Word Power triad FOCUS, DISTRACTION, and FINISH through nine tap-guided parts. With Malik & Bloom.
Why it works: Grounded in CASEL self-management (attention regulation, impulse control, perseverance) and reading-stamina research showing that sustained attention on connected text is built incrementally, a little longer each time, like a muscle.
Builds perspective-taking and inference through three Word Power words (PERSPECTIVE, EMPATHY, and UNDERSTAND) as children practice reading a character's hidden feelings from the clues they show but don't say. With Malik & Pip.
Why it works: Grounded in CASEL social-awareness research and reading-comprehension work showing that perspective-taking and textual inference are the same clue-reading skill, strengthened here by guided, low-pressure practice.
A relationship-skills and literacy comic that teaches the Word Power triad (UPSTANDER, KIND, BRAVE) as assertive 'use-your-words' sentences that speak up for someone left out. With Noor & Pip.
Why it works: Bystander-intervention research shows children act when they can name the bystander/upstander difference, regulate the freeze response first, and rehearse specific assertive scripts: the exact steps this story practices.
A relationship-skills and literacy story built on three Word Power words (BELONG, WELCOME, and INCLUDE) plus real introduce-yourself scripts and a beginning-middle-end story-sequencing beat. With Ivy & Sprout.
Why it works: Grounded in CASEL relationship-skills research: children who rehearse concrete social-entry scripts and inclusive 'making room' behaviors show stronger peer belonging and lower loneliness, and pairing the SEL moves with vocabulary and narrative-order practice reinforces both skills at once.
A social-awareness and reading story that teaches perspective-taking and inclusion through the Word Power triad DIFFERENT, INCLUDE, and STRENGTH. With Zola & Bloom.
Why it works: Perspective-taking and inclusion instruction that frames neurodiversity as difference and strength (never deficit) builds empathy and belonging, aligning with CASEL social-awareness competencies and inference-based reading comprehension.
A relationship-skills and reading-tone builder for ages 8–14 where kids practice digital kindness through three words (TONE, PAUSE, and KIND), learning to pause before reacting, read a message's tone from the clues that survive without a face, and send words that land gently. With Deja & Bloom.
Why it works: Grounded in CASEL relationship-skills research and the literacy practice of inferring tone from written text: naming the automatic 'fill-in-the-worst-tone' bias, regulating before reacting, and rehearsing repair build the social-awareness and communication skills that transfer to real online life.
A self-awareness + media-literacy story built on the Word Power triad REAL, COMPARE, and ENOUGH: reading a social post's image against its caption and catching the comparison trap. With Imani & Bloom.
Why it works: Grounded in CASEL self-awareness and media-literacy research: naming an emotion in the moment and recognizing curated online 'highlight reels' blunts the impact of social comparison on self-worth.
A gentle Self-management SEL and literacy story where children name a big feeling with a metaphor and build a memory in order, anchored by the Word Power words LOSS, REMEMBER, and CARRY. With Micah & Auntie Nia.
Why it works: Grounded in child-bereavement best practice (using plain, honest words for death and honoring grief as love rather than a problem to fix), paired with age-appropriate figurative-language and narrative-sequencing work that builds real comprehension and composition.
A Self-management + early-literacy story: children learn to name a big feeling, take a slow steady breath, and put a change in order (beginning, middle, end) through the Word Power triad CHANGE, STEADY, and NEW. With Marcus & Sprout.
Why it works: Naming an emotion (affect labeling) and giving a stressful experience a clear narrative shape (beginning, middle, end) supports self-regulation and resilience, helping a child feel that a big change is survivable and that they are 'in the middle,' which always leads somewhere.
A responsible-decision-making and compare/contrast lesson on needs vs. wants, built on the Word Power triad NEED, WANT, and GRATEFUL. With Malik & Sprout.
Why it works: Naming needs versus wants, pausing with a slow exhale before deciding, and practicing gratitude are evidence-based routines that strengthen delayed gratification and self-regulation in young children.
Builds self-awareness and identity alongside two literacy lifts (narrative structure and cultural literacy) through the Word Power triad STORY, ROOTS, and VOICE. With Zora & Auntie Nia.
Why it works: Culturally affirming identity work and oral-tradition storytelling strengthen belonging and self-concept, while sequencing a personal narrative into a beginning, middle, and now builds the narrative-structure skills that research links to early literacy growth.
A 9-part emotion-vocabulary story with a Word Power moment (FEELING · NOTICE · NAME) and a teacher/caregiver guide. With Zuri & Bloom.
Why it works: Naming an emotion (“affect labeling”) lowers its intensity, and a richer feelings vocabulary supports early self-regulation.
A 9-part media-literacy story with a Word Power moment (REAL · SOURCE · CHECK) and a teacher/caregiver guide. With Malik & Bloom.
Why it works: Simple source-checking habits (lateral reading) measurably improve how young people judge online claims.
A 9-part reading-confidence story with a Word Power moment (CLUE · CURIOUS · YET) and a teacher/caregiver guide. With Deja & Bloom.
Why it works: Using context and picture clues, plus a “not yet” stance toward hard words, builds decoding persistence in early readers.
A 9-part growth-mindset journey with a Word Power vocabulary moment and a teacher/caregiver guide. With Kai & Bloom.
Why it works: Grounded in growth-mindset research (Carol Dweck): praising effort and strategy builds resilience and challenge-seeking.
Teaches young children (and the adults who praise them) to celebrate effort and strategy. With Mia & Bloom.
Why it works: Based on Dweck's finding that praising effort (not “you're smart”) helps kids embrace challenges and mistakes.
A gentle SEL story with the F.A.I.R. steps, calm-down breaths, and perspective-taking. With Grace, Eli & Pip.
Why it works: Uses core social-emotional practices: naming feelings, calming down, perspective-taking, and shared problem-solving.
Everyday growth-mindset habits for the youngest learners, with a home-practice note. With Amani & Sprout.
Why it works: Combines growth-mindset language (the power of “yet”) with healthy-brain habits like rest, movement, and reading.
A basketball growth-mindset story; real champions (Jordan, Swoopes, Rudolph) shown as factual examples that effort beats raw talent. With Riley, Coach Mac & Sprout.
Why it works: Builds on growth-mindset (Dweck) and deliberate-practice (Ericsson) research: skill grows through focused effort, not fixed talent.
An affirming resilience toolkit for Black tweens and teens: rights, identity, confidence, mental health, and using your voice. With Maya & Auntie Nia.
Why it works: Combines identity-affirming practice with social-emotional and self-advocacy skills; kept to an evergreen scope for steady classroom use.
A collaborative problem-solving story: noticing a neglected shared space without blame, building a kid-sized plan (first, next, last), and bringing it together, respectfully, to a grown-up. Word Power words: NOTICE, PLAN, TOGETHER. With Zuri, Micah & Auntie Nia.
Why it works: It practices the collaborative problem-solving construct of transformative SEL: collective efficacy at kid scale. Children rehearse turning a feeling of unfairness into observed facts, a step-by-step plan (sequencing: first, next, last) and a respectful ask with an opinion and a reason, instead of giving up or sneaking a fix.
A curiosity and critical-thinking story: turning a bother into a wonder, asking the question kindly instead of accusing, and discovering that some rules are just old habits. Word Power words: WONDER, ASK, DISCOVER. With June & Bloom.
Why it works: It practices the curiosity construct of transformative SEL: asking why respectfully is critical thinking, not defiance. The story models the kind-question path between swallowing the doubt and exploding, plus question words and cause-and-effect sentences as the literacy connection.
An agency and voice story: naming what you actually want, building the three-part words (I see, I feel, could we try), picking the right moment, and being heard by a grown-up who thanks the courage. Word Power words: RESPECT, MOMENT, HEARD. With Marcus, Sprout & Coach Mac.
Why it works: It practices the agency construct of transformative SEL with oral sentence frames (I see, I feel, could we try) that turn speaking up to an adult into a rehearsable skill. The grown-up guide is written for coaches and teachers too: thank first, decide second, and say out loud that they cannot fix what nobody tells them.
The McCray Learning Lab creates interactive comics that turn social-emotional and growth-mindset skills into stories children want to read. Each comic is private by design (no accounts, no tracking, and any voice practice stays on the child’s own device) and includes a guide for the grown-ups who support them.
A companion practice for the grown-ups in a child’s corner: you rehearse what to say and do in the real moment, with warm coaching (never a script).
The companion practice for parents & teachers: swap “you're so smart” for the words that actually grow a child's brain, with Bloom.
Why it works: Turns Dweck's finding into hands-on practice: you rehearse praising effort, strategy, and bouncing back, the language that builds a growth mindset.
When your child comes home deflated after an unfair moment: validate first, affirm their strength, protect their joy. With Auntie Nia.
Two little ones melting down over a toy: calm everyone, hear both sides, and coach the F.A.I.R. way to a fair fix. With Pip.
When your tween says “I'm stupid, I can't”: catch the thought, add YET, and regulate first. With Bloom.
After the team loses or the shot's missed: let the sting be real, praise effort over the scoreboard, bounce back. With Sprout.
When your 4-year-old yells “I CAN'T!”: the power of “yet,” praising the trying, growing brain habits. With Sprout.
Six full stories are free forever: not previews, not samples. No card, no ads, and no tracking of children. Ever.
or $36 a year, cancel anytime
Memberships keep the free shelf free, for every child, everywhere.
Every plan is ad-free and private: no account is needed to read the free stories, and there's no tracking on any of them.
One click, in your account, any time: the same number of steps it took to join. No phone call, no email chain, no retention maze. You keep every story through the end of the period you already paid for.
Email Elliott within 30 days of your first payment and he refunds it in full, no form and no reason needed. After 30 days on an annual plan, ask and we'll prorate the months you haven't used.
Monthly plans renew on the same date each month, annual plans once a year. Your receipt states the renewal date in plain language, and we email a reminder seven days before an annual renewal, no surprise charges.
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Work with Elliott
Every story on this site started as Elliott McCray's own practice: designing social-emotional learning that actually works with real kids. If you want that practice for your school, district, or team, tell him what you're working on.
Thank you. Elliott will be in touch soon.