42 Beautiful Picture Books About Kindness

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Read children’s picture books about kindness with your children as a connected way to share and model what kindness looks like, feels like, and acts like.

picture books about kindness

These wonderful stories about kindness can prompt important conversations about relationships with other people in the world and relationships with ourselves. Even people we don’t know. Or don’t like.

Read each story and use it to ask questions about the character and the character’s motivations. Why did the characters behave the way they did? What would we do in the situation?

These conversations are important as we encourage kids to develop empathy and understanding of other people– and to treat everyone with kindness and compassion.

Let’s show our kids that we value listening and learning about others with curiosity, open-heartedness, and kindness by reading books like these and engaging in thoughtful dialogue.

I hope you and your family (or students in every grade level or preschool) enjoy these stories as much as we do.

Picture Books About Kindness


Let’s Be Kind (Indestructibles)
by Ekaterina Trukhan
Let’s be kind today…This book for babies and toddlers shares specific behaviors that exemplify kindness such as share our toys, help around the house, and spend time together.


Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
Kindness is…” begins this simple board book, giving concrete examples about what kindness is. Kindness is taking turns, offering comfort, and reaching out.


Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind
by Jessica Hische
Set intentions for your actions tomorrow — to be kind and not give up; to be honest, and generous…The typographic artwork is impressive and eye-catching!

A Good Deed Can Grow by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, illustrated by Holly Hatam
Like a seed that sprouts into a dandelion and travels from yard to yard or a drop that ripples into a ring across the lake, a good deed also can grow into more kind actions that transform the world. The illustrations show diverse characters doing kind actions such as picking up trash, sharing lemonade, drawing chalk messages, and visiting a sick friend. What an inspiring message of kindness.


Oscar’s Tower of Flowers
by Lauren Tobia
When his mom goes away and Oscar stays with his nana, Oscar plants and grows flowers. Then, he shares the blossoms with all his neighbors. Wordless with charming illustrations.


How Can We Be Kind?
by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Darla Okada
Inspiring! Practical behaviors show kindness in action as seen in the animal kingdom. “We can wait for others, like African elephants do. // We can put others first, like prairie dogs do.”


Punky Aloha
by Shar Tuiasoa
Grandma sends Punky to get her butter for the banana bread. To help her be brave about going alone, Grandma gives her magical brave glasses. Grandma reminds her to share her aloha, “Be helpful. Be giving. Be brave.” On the way to the market, Punky uses Grandma’s advice and helps a pig, a bee, and a little boy.


Hugo
by Atinuke, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
A heartwarming story of kindness about Hugo, a friendly park warden pigeon, who helps a shy girl come out of her shell. She stays inside all the time but Hugo continues to visit her and finally, she opens her window to him and they become friends. One day Hugo gets hurt by a dog, the girl rushes to his side, leaving her apartment, to save him. When she’s nursed Hugo back to health, she joins him outside and the little girl, Aimee, makes more friends.


One Small Thing by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Laura Watkins
When Raccoon’s home burns down, his friends try not to think about it. Then, they realize they can each do something kind, even small, to help their friend. Beaver helps build Raccoon a new home, Squirrel gathers herbs for Raccoon’s feet. Rabbit shares honey so Raccoon can eat. You will love this book’s message of community and helping someone when they need it.

The Kindest Red A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihal Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly
Faizah gets to wear the red dress passed on by her mom and her sister for picture day. After a lesson in class about making the world how we want it to be, Faizah and her friend Sophie show kindness to their schoolmates. Then it’s picture time. And Faizah feels sad because she doesn’t match her big sister. With Jada’s help, Sophie shares her dress’s sash so that Faizah can wear a hijab, too. This book will help children consider that their actions can help the world be a better place.


Kind
by Alison Green, illustrations by Axel Scheffler
This book shares actional examples of kindness like listening, hugging, helping, telling stories, and making sure everyone is included. Lovely illustrations.


The Umbrella by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
Precise words in a simple rhyme scheme, this powerful story is about a little girl and her pup. It’s wet and gray so the girl and pup find shelter inside a store where they buy a tattered yellow umbrella. Unfortunately, it falls apart as they walk home. The next day, they go outside in the rain again and find a delightful surprise that will make you smile. Look for the yellow pops of color and the bright umbrellas everywhere.

picture books about kindness
Be Kind
by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jen Hill
A little girl ponders one of life’s big questions: what is kindness? She brainstorms ideas about being kind to other people in her life, then finds a sweet way to show a new girl that she is not alone. You’ll appreciate all the concrete ideas of kindness in action — using people’s names, sticking up for someone, listening, putting dirty dishes in the sink, and so on.


I Am Love: A Book of Compassion
by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Love is acting with tenderness when you see someone stuck in the rain and you bring them an umbrella. Love is being present, not saying a word when someone needs to talk. In fact, love is many things writes Verde — gratitude, taking care of me, creative, understanding, effort, remembering, and more.


What Is Given From the Heart
by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison
James Otis and his Mama are struggling financially but when their church asks everyone to give a family in need, they both find something meaningful to give. After giving, they return home with their hearts full of happiness only to find a “love box” on their porch that is help for them. It is a powerful, heartfelt story about giving from the heart; showing that you can be kind and generous no matter how rich or poor you are.

 
How to Two
by David Soman
The minimal text shows the richness that happens when you add more kids into your playful adventures at the park. “How to two” shows two kids on a teetertotter. “How to three” shows three kids playing jump rope. “How to four” shows four kids playing four-square. And so on and so forth all the way to ten. It’s inclusivity, it’s diverse, it’s wonderful.


Super Milly and the Super School Day
by Stephanie Clarkson, illustrated by Gwen Millward
Super Milly thinks hard and uses her kid superpowers of kindness to help her classmates when they struggle with different things. For example, she helps someone with his costume, and another person to share the green paint.


Speak Up
by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Kids of different skin colors and cultures show the myriad of examples in this book about speaking up when you’re lonely and need friends, when someone spreads an untrue rumor, when someone gets your name wrong, and many more realistic scenarios.


A Small Kindness
by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Wendy Leach
Kindness is like a game of tag. Small acts of kindness like a smile and sharing bring color (literally in the illustrations) to the world. The brown and white illustrations unfold into full color by the end of the story. This simple book will be a welcome addition to preschool classrooms.


Brave As a House
by Nicolo Carozzi
Fish and Mouse are friends so when the cats try to eat Fish, brave Mouse leads the cats on a chase away from the fishbowl. Mouse returns to Fish with more mice. They put Fish in a teacup and carry the cup to a lake where they give Fish freedom. Simple text and gorgeous illustrations plus a kindhearted message.


The Thank You Book
by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
Reading this book makes me happy. The lyrical text connects our gratitude to the small moments in life— glitter and glue, buzz and bloom, and hands that we hold. “Thank you is for laps / and books.” Appealing, diverse illustrations of animals and people show the spirit of thankfulness in everything including parades and pajamas. I couldn’t agree more!

picture books about kindness
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness
by Kerascoët
When a classmate is being bullied, what can you do? This wordless picture book shows that sometimes it’s about showing someone that they are not alone. You can do what this girl does: show kindness and walk home with a lonely, hurting person.


Amos McGee Misses the Bus
by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Gentle and atmospheric, our favorite zookeeper is so tired that he misses the bus to the zoo and needs a nap once he’s there. His animal friends let him sleep and do his zookeeper chores for him. Then, he wakes up and they all go to the beach. This story of friendship and kindness feels like a warm hug.

picture books about kindness
Twig
by Aura Parker
My daughter and I love this story about kindness. No one notices the new student named Heidi who is a stick insect. Kids will have to look closely at the brilliant illustrations to see where Heidi is, too. You’ll feel so sad for Heidi who watches the other kids playing. Eventually, Heidi is discovered (on accident by a ladybug) and the teacher has a wonderful idea…all the students will knit a square for Heidi’s new scarf. This new scarf will help everyone see her. Now she always finds friends on the playground!

books about kindness
Superbuns! by Diane Kredensor
Superbuns! is a story that shows the power of kindness towards all people, even your know-it-all sister or a predatory fox. (Gasp!) Because kindness is a superpower which helps the bunnies when a scary fox follows them home… I absolutely love the character development and illustrations.


Get Up, Stand Up
by Bob Marley & Cedella Marley, illustrated by John Jay Cabuay
Using the lyrics of Bob Marley’s famous song, this picture book shows a brave girl who stands up for what’s right. As the song says, “Be a good neighbor and cherish your sisters and brothers. Practice being kind to yourself and one another. Bold, colorful illustrations illuminate the song’s message in a compelling, kid-friendly way showing a little girl being kind to kids who have been teased or getting a ball back from someone who took it.

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.


KINDergarten Where Kindness Matters Every Day
by Vera Ahiyya, illustration by Joey Chou
Leo gets a letter from his new kindergarten teacher, Ms. Perry, but he’s still feeling unsure about school. When he goes to school, his teacher helps Leo and his classmates learn about kindness in action — like raising hands and saying nice words. During the school day, Ms. Perry reassures Leo and introduces him to new friends. At the end of the day, Leo and his classmates decorate those kindness pledges, and his classmates give Leo compliments about his kind behavior.

16 Picture Books About Kindness
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 earnest desire and thoughtfulness model respect for elderly people. Plus, we learn that even the youngest of us can make a difference in the lives of others.

16 Picture Books About Kindness
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.

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
You 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.

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.

The Thank You Dish by Trace Balla

At dinnertime, Mama and Grace start with a prayer of thanks. Mama is surprised when Grace adds all sorts of unexpected things she’s thankful for to the prayer. Like the kangaroos, for not eating all the carrots. And road workers that fixed the path for her to ride her bike to the farmer’s stand for corn and kale. You’ll find yourself inspired by Grace’s thoughtful gratitude. This warmly illustrated picture book is sure to spark your own creative ways to be more appreciative and kind.

Cavekid Birthday by Cathy Breisacher, illustrated by Roland Garrigue
Best friends Caveboy and Cavegirl each decide to sacrifice something special in order to be able to buy a birthday gift for the other one. Their gifts to each other are thoughtful yet now not quite what they were planning. Then they use their imagination to play with their gifts and find a clever solution to getting back their special things. The characters speak in “caveman” which most likely will charm young readers.

May All People and Pigs Be Happy by Micki Fine Pavlicek, illustrated by John Pavlicek
Use this sweet picture book to introduce children to the ideas of lovingkindness and that we can choose to shift our mindsets, or how we look at things. When Claire’s friend got mad at her, Claire’s stuffed animal named Pigalina says, “May you be safe. May you be happy. May you feel love.” She shows Claire how Claire can say these loving wishes to herself which does help Claire to feel better. And soon, Claire beings to silently say this for other people she doesn’t even know.

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.

The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowsk
Recently re-released, this luminously illustrated book is a conversation between a grandfather and grandson about The Golden Rule. As the boy seeks to understand, he asks questions of his grandfather. His grandfather shares similar rules in many different religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddism.

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.

Dragon Night by J.R. Krause
This is a sweet story of friendship about two new friends who help each other make scary things better. Because Georgie is afraid of the night and the dragon is afraid of the knight. They find a creative solution to both their fears — Georgie writes a new book with a friendly knight. At bedtime, they take a flight, read their new favorite book, and fall fast asleep.

The Boy and the Giant by David Litchfield
The message of this beautifully illustrated oversized book is to be kind to people who are different from you. Billy’s Grandad tells stories about a Secret Giant who has to hide because people are scared. Billy thinks it’s just a silly story until he meets the Giant one morning. The Giant is finishing the up part of a big mural on the town’s wall. He’s scared and runs. But with the help of Grandad, Billy figures out a way to welcome the Giant into their town of Gableiew.

Wintercake by Lynne Rae Perkins
Filled with rich, wonderful words, this is a sweet winter story that starts with a misunderstanding but shows the power of kindness and starting new traditions. Thomas loses his fruit basket and assumes someone stole it. But then a stranger returns the basket he found. Thomas and his friend Lucy chase after the stranger to include him in their Winter’s Eve plans.

Who Is My Neighbor? by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrated by Denise Turu
This is a good Samaritan story that encourages readers to let go of judgments and to be kind to others, in particular, those who are different. Blues and Yellows don’t mix. But one day, Midnight Blue falls off his bike. No other Blues stop to help him but a Yellow does. That is the beginning of bridging the divide between the two groups.

Farmer Falgu Goes to the Kumbh Mela by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Kanika Nair
In this story, even when you are sacrificing to be kind, your good deeds are repaid. Farmer Falgu is excited to go to the Kumbh Mela festival. When he reaches the river, he helps an old woman and misses the procession. Instead of watching the parade of elephants, he helps a lost little girl. He misses more after he helps a man on crutches. “Maybe next time,” he says again. But in a rewarding ending, when his train is late, Farmer Falgu gets to see everything he missed.

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.

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.

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.

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 kindness with more people showing how much one good deed can change the lives of many people.

 Picture Books About Kindness
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.
16 Children's Picture Books About Kindness
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.
16 Children's Picture Books About Kindness
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.

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)

Children’s Books about Prejudice, Inclusion, and Tolerance

 

good picture books about kindness for kids

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2 Comments

  1. Great books! You should also check out “I Speak Peace.” This book teaches readers how to find peace within and then share with others. No matter how different we may be, there is one language that we can all speak…peace. Learn more at ispeakpeace.com .

  2. I just love this collection of books about kindness. Hope you’ll find time to have a look at my book too. Kindness is a very important topic during my classes!