As school counselors, our offices are often filled with resources designed to teach, comfort, and connect with students—especially picture books. But when you’re juggling a busy schedule, multiple grade levels, and countless topics, having a system to organize your books is essential.
Here are some practical and creative strategies to help you organize your picture book collection so that it’s both functional and beautiful—making it easier to grab what you need when you need it.
1. Use Book Tubs by Topic
Categorize your books into key counseling themes like:
- Friendship
- Emotions
- Self-Regulation
- Grief and Loss
- Growth Mindset
- Bullying
- Diversity and Inclusion
Label each tub clearly and store them on a low shelf or cart for easy access. This system makes it a breeze to pull resources for individual sessions, small groups, or classroom lessons.
I like to use these clear pockets from Target to label my bins.
You can find labels on TPT or make them in Canva.
2. Color Code with Washi Tape
Add a strip of washi tape to the spine of each book to visually represent its topic. For example:
- Red = Anger
- Blue = Sadness
- Yellow = Friendship
- Green = Growth Mindset
This makes it easy to spot the book you need at a glance—and it looks inviting on your shelf!
3. Organize by Spine or Cover Color
Want your shelves to double as calming visual décor? Try sorting your books by the color of their spine or cover. This “rainbow bookshelf” method is great if you’re a visual person or want to make your space more welcoming for students.
Just keep a digital list or app to help you remember which topics go with which colors (more on that below!).
4. Lesson-Ready Ziploc Bags
Group your book with its “lesson companions” inside a large, labeled Ziploc bag. For example:
- Book: The Awfulizer
- Companions: discussion questions, printable worksheets, a game, or SEL cards
These ready-to-go bags are perfect for classroom lessons or when you’re called in for an impromptu read-aloud.
Store them in a bin labeled “Lesson Kits” or by grade level/topic.
5. Use Apps to Stay Organized
Digital tools can make your book collection searchable and accessible, even on the go.
Here are a few popular options:
- BookBuddy or Libib – catalog your books with photos, tags, and notes
- Trello or Notion – organize books by topic, lesson plans, or SEL standards
- Google Sheets – simple and shareable with colleagues
Bonus: Add links to online read-alouds or digital versions for virtual counseling sessions! You can find my great big book list here.
6. Snap a Lesson Photo for Future You
After each lesson, snap a quick photo of:
- The book
- The materials used
- Any special activities or discussion notes
Save it on Pinterest or in a digital folder labeled by month or topic to bookmark for next year.
✅ Saves mental energy next time you plan!
7. Put some books in a special location
When I had a classroom, I had a calm corner just like teachers. I kept several of my books on regulation, anger, and dealing with big feelings here.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a minimalist or a color-coded queen, your book organization system should work for you—not overwhelm you. These strategies can help you build a functional, student-friendly library that supports your counseling goals and saves you time.
Have a system that works for you? Share your tips in the comments or tag us on social media—we’d love to see your setup!
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