Parents and teachers alike strive to teach children about kindness and the importance of treating others the way they would want to be treated.
But regardless of age, we can all be inspired by simple but heartwarming books about kindness and the messages of compassion they offer.
Best Picture Books to Teach Children About Kindness
Here are some of the best books to teach children to be kind to other people.
1. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson
This story about a boy and his grandmother has been awarded the Newbery medal. CJ and his grandmother take the bus every Sunday after church, and on this particular Sunday, he asks poignant questions about their situation in life, like why he doesn’t have an iPod like the other kids, or why they always get off in the dirty part of town. CJ’s grandma helps him to appreciate their life with her encouraging and wise answers.
2. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud and David Messing
This picture book teaches kids the concept of the “invisible bucket,” which you fill with the good thoughts, words, and deeds that you do. This book challenges children with lessons of giving, caring, and sharing, and is of course a good reminder for adults too!
3. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Jones
In this creatively-written picture book, the author introduces readers to Jeremy, who longs for a pair of shoes that everyone at school appears to have. Jeremy’s grandma tries to teach him the difference between want and need. But when his old shoes finally give, Jeremy opts for a pair from a thrift shop that are too small for him, and finally ends up learning to be grateful for what he has.
4. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
This story is about Brian, a boy who never seems to be noticed or included in the games or parties that his other classmates enjoy. But when a new kid arrives, Brian is the one who welcomes him and makes a difference.
5. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
In this classic picture book, the elephant Horton hears a sound coming from a clover flower, and discovers a Whoville, a village of tiny people asking for his help. Although the other animals can’t hear the Whos, Horton does everything he can to keep them safe, even if it means standing up to the other cruel animals.
Books About Kindness for Older Children and Adults
For older children and adults, the following books offer great stories that demonstrate the power of kindness:
6. Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This classic tale tells the story of a little boy whose mother taught him to see the good in everything. When his miserly grandfather decides to take him in as the sole heir to his lordship, the boy’s sunshiny attitude and generous heart unwittingly transform the hard-hearted grandfather into thinking about others more.
7. Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
This beloved classic follows Pollyanna, a little girl sent to live with her Aunt Polly after her father’s death. Pollyanna loves playing “The Gladness Game” that her father taught her, which involves being glad about everything that happens. This trademark attitude makes her a ray of sunshine and kindness wherever she goes.
8. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Ingratitude and complaints are among the worst enemies of kindness. In this book, author Ann Voskamp teaches us to be grateful about the gifts, big and little, that we have in our lives, and helps us to live more appreciatively and kindly toward others around us.
9. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
This beloved classic about a horse is a great way of teaching older children about the value of kindness over the use of brute force, even in something like training a horse.
10. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This is part of the beloved Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which tells about the childhood of Laura’s husband Almanzo. While a child, Almanzo helps his family on the farm and learns important lessons about treating animals and other people kindly.
11. Just David by Eleanor Porter
In this book, Eleanor Porter tells the story of David, brought up in an isolated cabin in the woods by his father, who gave him nothing but kindness and goodness. When his father dies, David makes his way into civilization, bringing with him the foundation of beauty and goodness, while his background remains a mystery to everyone around him.
12. More Than a Hobby by David Green
In this book that tells the story of Hobby Lobby, the home and craft superstore chain in America, we get a glimpse of what can happen when business owners think of the best for their customers and employees.
Reading Books About Kindness
Stories have the amazing capacity to stay with us long after we’ve read them, which is why books are a great tool that parents and teachers can use to teach and instill values in children of all ages.
But these books aren’t just for kids—if you’re in need of a lift or a kind word, these books can also be a bright spot in an otherwise burdensome day!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
