Meet Mateo
“Music is how I make sense of things.”
Listen. Create. Be You. 🎵
🎵 Mateo’s Song
Mateo Makes Music
Character #08 | 5th Grade | Age 10–11
💙 Thoughtful | 🎵 Creative | 👁 Emotionally Observant | 🤝 Loyal Friend
“Different isn’t wrong. It’s part of the song.”
Mateo is a 5th grader at Roanoke Valley who uses music to process his world. Whether he’s writing in his notebook or playing guitar, Mateo teaches us that there’s more than one way to be heard.
The Mateo Makes Music Series
📗 BOOK 1
Not Your Average Fifth Grader
Mateo’s brain is busy, his heart is loud, and school doesn’t always understand the way he thinks. When expectations clash with who he really is, his music becomes the place where he can finally be himself.
✨ Coming Soon
📘 BOOK 2
The Noise in My Head
Between homework, friendships, and family worries, Mateo’s thoughts get loud. With support from the people who care about him—and a few new songs—he learns how to name his feelings instead of hiding them.
✨ Coming Soon
📙 BOOK 3
Nico Feels the Beat
When Mateo’s cousin Nico joins the band, the music changes—and so does their friendship. Together, they learn that there’s more than one way to feel the beat, and more than one way to show you care.
✨ Coming Soon
Social Emotional Learning Themes
- 🎵 Emotional expression
- 🎵 Self-awareness
- 🎵 Anxiety and overthinking
- 🎵 Identity and authenticity
- 🎵 Confidence and self-advocacy
- 🎵 Friendship and belonging
- 🎵 Accepting differences
- 🎵 Communicating difficult feelings
- 🎵 Creativity as a coping strategy
- 🎵 Understanding that there is more than one way to be heard
On Mateo’s Playlist 🎶
🎵
Be Kind
🎵
Dream Big
🎵
Speak Up
🎵
Listen Close
Mateo’s Theme Song
“Music helps him find the words.”
Coming Soon — Kelly Dean’s Books
Kelly Dean’s Books | Children’s Stories & SEL Resources for Parents, Teachers, and more 