10 Picture Books That Teach Kindness
- pandetashvi
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Teaching kindness starts young. Picture books are a gentle and effective way to help children see the power of empathy, compassion, and understanding. These ten titles are ideal for sparking meaningful conversations with children aged 3 to 7.
1. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illus. Christian Robinson (Ages 4–8)
CJ and his Nana ride a city bus, seeing beauty where others see struggle. A gorgeous read about gratitude and noticing others' needs.
2. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud, illus. David Messing (Ages 4–8) Introduces the concept of kindness as "bucket filling," giving kids a concrete way to understand how positive actions affect others.
3. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, illus. Jen Hill (Ages 3–6)
When a little girl spills juice, another child wonders how to help. A thoughtful story about small acts of kindness.
4. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. E.B. Lewis (Ages 5–8)
A haunting, powerful message about missed opportunities to be kind.
5. Kindness is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego (Ages 4–8)
Simple rhymes and bright illustrations make this a go-to for teaching emotional intelligence and empathy.
6. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illus. Patrice Barton (Ages 6–8)
A quiet boy is often overlooked until a new student arrives. A moving story of inclusion and friendship.
7. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illus. Tara Calahan King (Ages 5–8)
A dad’s clever strategy helps a boy turn an "enemy" into a friend.
8. Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole (Ages 4–8)
Animal characters model small acts of kindness with humor and warmth.
9. I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde, illus. Peter H. Reynolds (Ages 4–8)
Part of the "I Am" series, this book emphasizes love as an action.
10. Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, illus. Fumi Kosaka (Ages 5–8)
A chain reaction of kindness all started with one girl and a bowl of blueberries.
Kindness is a skill children can learn just like reading or tying their shoes. Let these stories be your starting point. Fill your child's library with warmth and learning!
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