Picture books that show kindness are important, especially as a teaching tool. They can prompt important conversations about relationships with other people in the world. Even people we don’t know. Or like. And those conversations are important.
16 Picture Books About Kindness
Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Simple but powerful truths show children being kind to each other, listening, laughing, being together. . . “It’s a safe place to live. It’s the freedom from fear. // It’s a kiss or a hug When you’ve lost someone dear.”
Wilfrid Gordon MacDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas
Wilfrid isn’t sure what a memory is but he wants to help Miss Nancy find new ones since she can’t remember her own. His ernest desire and thoughtfulness model a respect for elderly people. Plus, we learn that even the youngest of us can make a difference in the lives of others.
Come With Me by Holly M. McGhee, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre
The little girl wants to make the world a better place. Her parents show her how they do by treating people with respect and kindness. So the girl asks if she can do something herself like walking the dog. She invites a friend because two is better than one. The message is that we can all be brave, gentle, strong, and kind because what we do matters. “Because as small as it may seem, your part matters to the world.”
We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
Aggie is just like everyone else even if he doesn’t look like other people. It hurts his feelings when people point and laugh. His strategy is to put on his helmet, blast off into space, and get a bigger perspective. He sees that the Earth is full of lots of different people, all of them wonders. He is a wonder, too. We all are. The lesson Aggie teaches us is this: “Look with kindness and you will always find wonder.“
If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
Lush illustrations show a rabbit and mouse growing tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage from seeds. As the friends wait for the plants to grow, the pictures show birds arriving in the background who want to eat, too. The friends must make a decision. Will the friends also plant kindness with their reaction to the birds? A perfect lesson for young readers.
Harry the Happy Mouse by NGK illustrated by Janelle Dimmett
After Harry helps a frog, he simply asks the frog to show kindness to someone else. One good deed prompts many more becoming a chain reaction. Children will read how kind deeds help the animals feel happiness and joy.
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney’s stunning illustrations and lovely retelling of Aesop’s fable deftly illuminates this timeless story for kids with the lesson: be kind, for that act may just save your life one day.
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka
An ordinary girl picks blueberries for her neighbor. Her neighbor makes blueberry muffins that she shares with others. Each person in this story shares a kindness with more people showing how much one good deed can change the lives of many people.
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
You do make a difference in the world! Because Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe in England! David Ezra Stein’s charmingly illustrated story reminds us that adding even a small dose of kindness into the world is sure to spur more and more kindness, which could eventually make its way back to you.
Kindness is Cooler by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
Mrs. Ruler motivates her kindergarten class to perform good deeds — their goal is 100 deeds in all. Can they do it? The book includes a list of ideas for your own kids to do.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud, illustrated by David Messing
We all have a metaphorical “bucket” that can either be emptied by unkindness or filled with kindness. This book challenges children to fill other people’s buckets with kindness — either in words or actions.
Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller
Kids will giggle at Mr. Rabbit worries about his new Otter neighbors — will they be nice? He’s not sure. The author skillfully shows how Mr. Rabbit uses the Golden Rule to be friendly and neighborly to the Otters. You’ll even learn how to say polite phrases like please and excuse me in French, Spanish, Pig Latin, German, and Japanese.
The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
After reading The Lion and the Mouse with her class, Minna is excited to do the assigned kindness project. She does so many small acts, photographing each one, that she’s not sure which one to pick for the project. Eventually, she puts all her photos into a collage of pictures. Sure to inspire your own similar projects.
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
Chloe and her group of friends are mean to a new girl named Maya who eventually stops coming to school. The teacher shares a lesson about kindness (ripples a stone makes in the water) making Chloe wish she’d been kinder to Maya.
Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long
The familiar characters on the farm where Otis the tractor lives get a lesson in kindness. They mistakenly think the new scarecrow doesn’t want to be friends since he always has a frown. When they’re proven wrong, we all learn a valuable lesson on making assumptions about others.
The Thank You Dish by Trace Balla
Find more books that facilitate empathy:
Children’s Books About Poverty
Children’s Books About Learning Differences
Children’s Books That Develop Empathy Towards Physical Disabilities
Children’s Books about Immigration (and Migration)