Kelly Dean’s Books | Children’s Stories & SEL Resources for Parents, Teachers, and more

Lexie Hollyn Blake — Messy Lexie Series

Lexie Hollyn Blake

Messy Lexie Series  ·  6 years old, Kindergarten

Lexie’s excitement leads to unexpected spills, mix-ups, and wonderfully messy adventures. When things don’t go as planned, she learns to slow down, manage big feelings, tell the truth, accept help, and make things right.

SEL Themes:

  • Emotional regulation
  • Honesty & accountability
  • Resilience after mistakes
  • Self-compassion
  • Asking for help
Meet Lexie

Harlee Blake

Harlee Handles It Series  ·  9–10 years old, 4th grade

Harlee is confident, competitive, and used to handling almost anything — until softball gets harder, friendships shift, or one mistake starts replaying in her mind. She learns that handling something doesn’t mean pretending it doesn’t hurt.

SEL Themes:

  • Resilience & perseverance
  • Confidence & growth mindset
  • Managing negative self-talk
  • Friendship & communication
  • Sportsmanship
Meet Harlee
Harlee Blake
Harper Blake

Harper Blake

Harper in the Hallways Series  ·  12 years old, 6th grade

Thoughtful and empathetic, Harper notices the kids just outside the group. Middle school brings new friendships and shifting expectations — she learns that empathy doesn’t require self-abandonment, and that belonging starts with knowing her own voice matters.

SEL Themes:

  • Belonging & inclusion
  • Empathy with healthy boundaries
  • Friendship changes
  • Self-worth & confidence
  • Speaking up
Meet Harper

Dean Blake

Dean’s Playbook Series

Dean understands pressure, leadership, and what it feels like to appear strong even when something is wrong.

Meet Dean
Dean Blake
Ava Mercer — What Ava Knows Series

Ava Mercer

What Ava Knows Series

Ava’s story explores the things kids know, feel, and notice — even when the adults around them don’t say it out loud.

Meet Ava

Mateo

Mateo Makes Music  ·  Coming Soon

Coming soon — Mateo’s story is on its way!

Coming Soon
Mateo
Harriet Hesitates: The Question Nobody Asked — book cover by Kelly Dean

Harriet

Harriet Hesitates  ·  Coming Soon

Coming soon — Harriet’s story is on its way!

Coming Soon
Draya the Dragonfly character card

Draya the Dragonfly

Dreamland Adventures Series

Draya is a dream guide with sparkly wings and a big heart. She leads young readers through Dreamland, showing them that every dream has a guide and every heart has light.

The Draya Way:

  • Hope
  • Courage
  • Kindness
  • Believe

Believe. Dream. Shine.

Meet Draya

Characters

Meet Kelly’s original characters—curious, brave, and wonderfully imperfect—each modeling key SEL skills like empathy, resilience, and self-advocacy. Follow their journeys in the stories featured on our Books page.

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A charming book stall display concept for Kelly Dean’s titles, with tiered white wooden shelves filled with her children’s books featuring non-human characters of many colors and shapes, symbolizing diversity and inclusion. Small stands hold sample pages next to icons suggesting Amazon and Etsy availability without logos or text. A chalkboard-style sign frame sits nearby with decorative doodles of stars and speech bubbles in pastel chalk. Warm indoor pendant lighting creates soft pools of light and gentle shadows across the display. Shot at an eye-level angle with a slight perspective toward the shelves, the composition feels professional yet approachable, enhanced with crisp details and vibrant covers that communicate joy, empowerment, and SEL-focused storytelling.
Meet the Cast — Kelly Dean's Books characters

Fun Facts & Name Guides

Click each character to learn how to say their name, uncover playful quirks and favorites, and download a printable mini-bio you can color, share, or use as a quick SEL check-in tool.

Download bios
Tina Blake

Tina Blake

The Blake Family Mom

Tina is the heart of the Blake household — raising four kids across four very different seasons of growing up. She shows up in each sibling’s story, steady and real.

Meet the Family