“What are the best Children’s books about Kindness?” We looked at 224 of the top Kids Kindness books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!
The top 26 titles, all appearing on 3 or more “Best Kids Kindness” book lists, are ranked below by how many lists they appear on. The remaining 175+ titles, as well as the lists we used are in alphabetical order at the bottom of the page.
Happy Scrolling!
Lists It Appears On:
Sophia knits a special hat for her elderly neighbor and knitting teacher, Mrs. Goldman.
Lists It Appears On:
Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer’s Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.
Lists It Appears On:
Frightened by news of angry people around the world, a young girl gets her parents’ help in learning to be compassionate and brave a little at a time.
Lists It Appears On:
Hoping that the enemy pie which his father makes will help him get rid of his enemy, a little boy finds that instead it helps make a new friend.
Lists It Appears On:
When Hen gives Pig an egg, she sets off a chain of events that brings kindness to all of the animals on the farm.
Lists It Appears On:
Molly Lou Melon is different, but this doesn’t slow her down.
Lists It Appears On:
What is it like to have to leave everything behind and travel many miles to somewhere unfamiliar and strange? A mother and her two children set out on such a journey; one filled with fear of the unknown, but also great hope. Based on her interactions with people forced to seek a new home, and told from the perspective of a young child, Francesca Sanna has created a beautiful and sensitive book that is full of significance for our time.
Lists It Appears On:
I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face
Lists It Appears On:
Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, always made time to visit his good friends: the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl. But one day—”Ah-choo!”—he woke up with the sniffles and the sneezes. Though he didn’t make it into the zoo that day, he did receive some unexpected guests.
Lists It Appears On:
A story to help children become mindful of caring people in their world, to ease their fears and to develop their sense of gratitude. Includes two activity pages to encourage children to find the good people in their lives.
Lists It Appears On:
“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.” So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return
Lists It Appears On:
Grandpa explains that the golden rule is a simple statement on how to live that can be practiced by people of all ages and faiths, then helps his grandson figure out how to apply the rule to his own life.
Lists It Appears On:
In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.
Lists It Appears On:
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference or at least help a friend.…
Lists It Appears On:
Mr. Rabbit wonders if he will be able to get along with his new neighbors, who are otters, until he is reminded of the golden rule.
Lists It Appears On:
Minna does a lot of thinking about her project to do something kind, make a picture about what she did, and share it with her classmates, but finally comes up with an idea that spreads to the whole school.
Lists It Appears On:
When Mrs. Ruler asks five of her kindergarteners to miss recess, she’s got a special plan up her sleeve. She’s about to teach a new golden rule: KINDNESS IS COOL Soon the entire class is doing so many good deeds that their kindness bulletin board barely fits their classroom From clearing the table after dinner, to helping the elderly, one kindergarten class is proving that kids really can make a difference. Count along with Mrs. Ruler’s class. Can all their good deeds really add up to 100 acts of kindness? Acclaimed picture book author Margery Cuyler will inspire children of all ages to have a heart and save the world
Lists It Appears On:
Teaches children about what it means to be kind by discussing the importance of caring, patience, forgiveness and acceptance, giving children and adults alike the opportunity to live more fully and richly.
Lists It Appears On:
An elementary school girl witnesses the bullying of another girl, but she is not sure how to help.
Lists It Appears On:
But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story. “I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes.” All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.
Lists It Appears On:
Each kindness makes the world a little better Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Maya is different–she wears hand-me-downs and plays with old-fashioned toys. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her gang, they reject her. Eventually, Maya plays alone, and then stops coming to school altogether. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya. This unforgettable book is written and illustrated by the award-winning team that created The Other Side and the Caldecott Honor winner Coming On Home Soon. With its powerful message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they’ve put it down.
Lists It Appears On:
Lists It Appears On:
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.
Lists It Appears On:
Celebrate the fifteenth anniversary edition of this feel-good story that continues to inspire and celebrate a world full of ordinary deeds! Can one child’s good deed change the world? It can when she’s Ordinary Mary—an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house—who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world. Updated illustrations and endpapers are now paired with this beloved storyline as it stirs a whole new generation on to more random acts of kindness–proving one child’s compassion and empathy really can change the world.
Lists It Appears On:
A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend… Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party… until, that is, a new kid comes to class. When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine. From esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton, this gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource.
Lists It Appears On:
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love. Bucket filling and dipping are effective metaphors for understanding the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.
# | Books | Authors | Lists |
27 | A Chair For My Mother | Vera B. Williams | My Little Poppies |
– | – | – | Simple Most |
28 | Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart | A Mighty Girl | |
– | – | – | Book Bub |
29 | How Do Dinosaurs Play with their Friends | Jan Yolen | Margin Making Mom |
– | – | – | Pre-K Pages |
30 | How To Heal A Broken Wing | Bob Graham | Look For Little Helpers |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
31 | I See Kindness Everywhere | Shelley Frost | Barnes & Noble |
– | – | – | Humane Education |
32 | If You Plant A Seed | Humane Education | |
– | – | – | Simple Most |
33 | Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion | Big Life Journal | |
– | – | – | Look For Little Helpers |
34 | Lost and Found Cat | Doug Kuntz & Amy Shrodes | Colours Of Us |
– | – | – | Medium |
35 | Most People | Michael Leannah | Look For Little Helpers |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
36 | One Green Apple | Eve Bunting | Cool Mom Picks |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
37 | Out of My Mind | Sharon Draper: | Book Bub |
– | – | – | Medium |
38 | Peace Is an Offering | Imagination Soup | |
– | – | – | Look For Little Helpers |
39 | Plant a Kiss | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | A Mighty Girl |
– | – | – | Childhood 101 |
40 | Please Don’t Tease Tootsie | Humane Education | |
– | – | – | Simple Most |
41 | Sick Day for Amos McGee | Pragmatic Mom | |
– | – | – | Pre-K Pages |
42 | Somebody Loves you, Mr. Hatch | Big Life Journal | |
– | – | – | Look For Little Helpers |
43 | Stick and Stone | Book Bub | |
– | – | – | Pre-K Pages |
44 | Sumi’s Frist Day of School Ever | Soyung Pak | Colours Of Us |
– | – | – | Medium |
45 | Superworm | Julia Donaldson | Childhood 101 |
– | – | – | Margin Making Mom |
46 | The Big Umbrella | Amy June Bates | Colours Of Us |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
47 | The Jelly Donut Difference: Sharing Kindness With The World | Maria Dismondy | Look For Little Helpers |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
48 | The Nice Book | Book Bub | |
– | – | – | Read Brightly |
49 | The Quiltmaker’s Gift | Jeff Brumbeau | Margin Making Mom |
– | – | – | We Are Teachers |
50 | The Rabbit Listened | Pragmatic Mom | |
– | – | – | Up Parrent |
51 | The Snail and the Whale | Julia Donaldson | A Mighty Girl |
– | – | – | Margin Making Mom |
52 | We All Sing With the Same Voice | J. Philip Miller and Sheppard M. Greene | BuzzFeed |
– | – | – | Look For Little Helpers |
53 | You Are Friendly | Look For Little Helpers | |
– | – | – | Pre-K Pages |
54 | You Hold Me Up | Monique Gray Smith | Colours Of Us |
– | – | – | Medium |
55 | You, Me and Empathy: Teaching children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance and recognising bullying behaviours | Colours Of Us | |
– | – | – | Look For Little Helpers |
56 | A Boy, A Dog and A Frog (1967) | Readers Digest | |
57 | A Long Pitch Home | Natalie Dias Lorenzi | Cool Mom Picks |
58 | Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse | Pragmatic Mom | |
59 | Al Capone Does My Shirts | Thriving | |
60 | Apps and Games | Big Life Journal | |
61 | Apt. 3 | Colours Of Us | |
62 | Azzi in Between | Sarah Garland | Five Books |
63 | Baby Be Kind | PJ Library | |
64 | Bagels from Benny | PJ Library | |
65 | Be a Friend | International Homeschooling | |
66 | Because Amelia Smiled | David Ezra Stein | Margin Making Mom |
67 | Because of Winn-Dixie | Big Life Journal | |
68 | Bob and Otto | Pre-K Pages | |
69 | Boo Who? | Ben Clanton | We Are Teachers |
70 | Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 | Michelle Markel | Cool Mom Picks |
71 | Bucket Filling | Big Life Journal | |
72 | Buckets, Dippers, and Lids: Secrets To Your Happiness | Carol McCloud | We Are Teachers |
73 | Cate’s Magic Garden | Up Parrent | |
74 | Cavekid Birthday | Imagination Soup | |
75 | Chocolate Milk, Por Favor | Colours Of Us | |
76 | Chrysanthemum | International Homeschooling | |
77 | Cloud Tea Monkeys | A Mighty Girl | |
78 | Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons (2006) | Readers Digest | |
79 | Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent | Bill Peet | Margin Making Mom |
80 | DEAR GIRL, | NY Times | |
81 | Desmond and the Very Mean Word | Colours Of Us | |
82 | Do Nice, Be Kind, Spread Happy | Look For Little Helpers | |
83 | Dogger | Shirley Hughes | Childhood 101 |
84 | Don’t Laugh at Me | Steve Seskin | My Little Poppies |
85 | Dragon Night | Imagination Soup | |
86 | Duck, Duck, Goose | Pre-K Pages | |
87 | Empathy Activity Kit, by Happy Heart Kid | Big Life Journal | |
88 | Estie the Mensch | PJ Library | |
89 | Everybody’s Welcome | Read Brightly | |
90 | Extra Yarn | A Mighty Girl | |
91 | Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela | Imagination Soup | |
92 | Finding Perfect | Thriving | |
93 | Fish in a Tree | Thriving | |
94 | Fly Free! | Humane Education | |
95 | Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three rules for a happier life | Big Life Journal | |
96 | Grumpy Gloria (2006) | Readers Digest | |
97 | Hanna’s Sabbath Dress: An Israeli Folktale | PJ Library | |
98 | Hannah’s Way | A Mighty Girl | |
99 | Hattie & Hudson | A Mighty Girl | |
100 | Heartprints | P.K. Hallinan | Barnes & Noble |
101 | Hedgehog Needs a Hug | Pragmatic Mom | |
102 | HERE WE ARE | NY Times | |
103 | How Dalia Put a Big Yellow Comforter Inside a Tiny Blue Box | PJ Library | |
104 | How Full is Your Bucket? | Tom Rath | My Little Poppies |
105 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Dr. Seuss | We Are Teachers |
106 | How to Two | Imagination Soup | |
107 | Hug Machine | Scott Campbell | Childhood 101 |
108 | Humble and Kind | Tim McGraw | My Little Poppies |
109 | Hunter and His Dog | Humane Education | |
110 | I Am Human: A Book of Empathy | Colours Of Us | |
111 | I AM LOVED | NY Times | |
112 | I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness | Colours Of Us | |
113 | I Am Yoga | Colours Of Us | |
114 | I Know a Lady | A Mighty Girl | |
115 | I Like Myself! (2004) | Readers Digest | |
116 | I’m New Here | Colours Of Us | |
117 | K is for Kindness | Read Brightly | |
118 | Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome | Big Life Journal | |
119 | Kindness Counts: A Story for Teaching Random Acts of Kindness (Without Limits) | Look For Little Helpers | |
120 | Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children | Sarah Conover | My Little Poppies |
121 | Lemonade Stand | Big Life Journal | |
122 | Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving | John Frank | We Are Teachers |
123 | Let’s be Kind | Up Parrent | |
124 | Little Bird | Germano Zullo | Childhood 101 |
125 | Little Fox in the Forest | Pragmatic Mom | |
126 | LOVE | NY Times | |
127 | Lovely | Look For Little Helpers | |
128 | Maddi’s Fridge | A Mighty Girl | |
129 | Madlenka | Peter Sis | Cool Mom Picks |
130 | Make a Bird Feeder | Big Life Journal | |
131 | Migrant | Maxine Trottier | Cool Mom Picks |
132 | Mouse and Lion | Big Life Journal | |
133 | Murfaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale | John Steptoe | Five Books |
134 | My Diary from Here to There/Mi diario de aquí hasta allá | Amada Irma Pérez | Cool Mom Picks |
135 | Nico & Lola | Up Parrent | |
136 | Nico and Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Dog and a Boy | Humane Education | |
137 | Non-Random Acts of Kindness | Lauren Myracle | Barnes & Noble |
138 | Notes for Living on Planet Earth | NY Times | |
139 | Once | Morris Gleitzman | Five Books |
140 | One | Look For Little Helpers | |
141 | One Good Deed | PJ Library | |
142 | Oranges in No Man’s Land | Elizabeth Laird | Five Books |
143 | Ordinary People Change the World | Brad Meltzer (series) | My Little Poppies |
144 | Papa Gave Me a Stick | Humane Education | |
145 | Pass It On | Look For Little Helpers | |
146 | Pay it Forward | Big Life Journal | |
147 | Peanut Butter & Cupcake | International Homeschooling | |
148 | Rude Cakes | Rowboat Watkins | BuzzFeed |
149 | Rules | Book Bub | |
150 | Sad, the Dog | Sandy Fussell | Childhood 101 |
151 | Sam and the Lucky Money | Colours Of Us | |
152 | Save Me a Seat | Sara Weeks | Medium |
153 | Scientists Confirm The Oak Island Mystery Is Solved | Readers Digest | |
154 | Seed by Seed | Up Parrent | |
155 | Sidewalk Flowers | A Mighty Girl | |
156 | Since We’re Friends: An Autism Picture Book | Colours Of Us | |
157 | Stargirl | Book Bub | |
158 | Stellaluna | A Mighty Girl | |
159 | Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness | Up Parrent | |
160 | Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey | Margriet Ruurs | Cool Mom Picks |
161 | Suzy Swoof: A Book About Kindness | Michael Waite | Margin Making Mom |
162 | Swing Sideways | Thriving | |
163 | Thank You, World (2007) | Readers Digest | |
164 | That’s Not Fair! / ¡No Es Justo!: Emma Tenayuca’s Struggle for Justice | Colours Of Us | |
165 | The “Secret Service” Activity: A lesson in kindness | Big Life Journal | |
166 | The Ant and the Elephant | Bill Peet | Margin Making Mom |
167 | The Berenstain Bears: Kindness Counts | Up Parrent | |
168 | The Boy and the Giant | Imagination Soup | |
169 | The Boy Who Grew Flowers | Big Life Journal | |
170 | The Buddha’s Apprentice at Bedtime | Dharmachari Nagaraja | My Little Poppies |
171 | The Can Man | Colours Of Us | |
172 | The Cloud | Hannah Cumming | Childhood 101 |
173 | The Cricket and the Ant | PJ Library | |
174 | The Elves and the Shoemaker | Big Life Journal | |
175 | The English Roses | Up Parrent | |
176 | The Face at the Window | Colours Of Us | |
177 | The Fox Wish | Pragmatic Mom | |
178 | The Gardener | A Mighty Girl | |
179 | The Harry Potter Series | Big Life Journal | |
180 | The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others | Look For Little Helpers | |
181 | The Kind Unicorn | Big Life Journal | |
182 | The Last Stop on Market Street | Read Brightly | |
183 | The Lemonade Club | A Mighty Girl | |
184 | The Little Blue Truck (2008) | Readers Digest | |
185 | The Little Prince | Book Bub | |
186 | The Lost Thing | Shaun Tan | Childhood 101 |
187 | The Monster Who Lost His Mean | Read Brightly | |
188 | The Monster’s Monster (2012) | Readers Digest | |
189 | The Mouse and the Motorcycle | Big Life Journal | |
190 | The Name Jar | Yangsook Choi | Cool Mom Picks |
191 | The One and Only Ivan | Big Life Journal | |
192 | The One Day House | Colours Of Us | |
193 | The Rag Coat | Lauren Mills | Margin Making Mom |
194 | The Secret Garden | Big Life Journal | |
195 | The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade | Look For Little Helpers | |
196 | The Smartest Giant In Town | Julia Donaldson | Childhood 101 |
197 | The Sneetches and Other Stories (1953) | Readers Digest | |
198 | The Spiffiest Giant in Town | Julia Donaldson | Margin Making Mom |
199 | The Spirit of Christmas: A Giving Tradition | Look For Little Helpers | |
200 | The Thank You Book | Imagination Soup | |
201 | The Three Questions | Jon J Muth | BuzzFeed |
202 | The War That Saved My Life | Thriving | |
203 | The Wednesday Surprise | A Mighty Girl | |
204 | Too Tall Houses | Simple Most | |
205 | Twig | Imagination Soup | |
206 | Two White Rabbits | Colours Of Us | |
207 | Under the Lemon Moon | Edith Hope Fine | We Are Teachers |
208 | Understand and Care (Learning to Get Along Series) | Up Parrent | |
209 | We Don’t Eat Our Classmates | Book Bub | |
210 | We’re All Wonders | Look For Little Helpers | |
211 | What If Everybody Did That? | International Homeschooling | |
212 | What Is Given From the Heart | Imagination Soup | |
213 | What it’s about: | Look For Little Helpers | |
214 | Who Can You Be Kind To Today? | Big Life Journal | |
215 | Who Is My Neighbor? | Imagination Soup | |
216 | Whoever You Are (1997) | Readers Digest | |
217 | Why Am I Me? | Look For Little Helpers | |
218 | Wilfrid Gordon MacDonald Partridge | Imagination Soup | |
219 | Wishtree | Katherine Applegate: | Medium |
220 | Wolf in the Snow | A Mighty Girl | |
221 | Write a Thank You Note | Big Life Journal | |
222 | You Go First | Read Brightly | |
223 | You Will Be My Friend! | Pre-K Pages | |
224 | Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll | Colours Of Us |
Source | Article |
A Mighty Girl | 22 Children’s Books That Teach Kids to Be Kind |
Barnes & Noble | 8 Books About Kindness |
Big Life Journal | 29 Books and Activities That Teach Kindness to Children |
Book Bub | The Best Children’s Books About Kindness |
BuzzFeed | 13 Children’s Books That Encourage Kindness Toward Others |
Childhood 101 | 15 Wonderful Kids Picture Books About Kindness. Kid Approved! |
Colours Of Us | 19 Multicultural Children’s Books teaching Kindness & Empathy |
Cool Mom Picks | 9 lovely children’s books about the immigrant experience |
Five Books | The Best Books on Courage and Kindness for Kids |
Humane Education | 14 Children’s Picture Books About Kindness |
Imagination Soup | 19 Picture Books About Kindness |
International Homeschooling | 7 Picture Books That Teach Kindness to Children |
Look For Little Helpers | 27 Children’s Books to Teach Kindness |
Margin Making Mom | 13 of the Best Children’s Books that Teach Kindness |
Medium | Kindness Matters: 11 Diverse Children’s Books that Teach Kindness |
My Little Poppies | 10+ Children’s Books to Inspire Kindness |
NY Times | Picture Books About Kindness, Compassion and Peace in a Turbulent |
PJ Library | 9 Children’s Books About Kindness |
Pragmatic Mom | 9 Picture Books about Kindness and Compassion |
Pre-K Pages | Books About Friendship and Kindness |
Read Brightly | Children’s Books That Champion Kindness |
Readers Digest | 12 Children’s Books That Can Teach Kids About Kindness |
Simple Most | 8 Children’s Books That Teach Kids About Kindness |
Thriving | Books that teach empathy and kindness |
Up Parrent | Children’s Books About Empathy and Kindness |
We Are Teachers | Best Kindness Books for Kids, as Chosen by Educators |
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