10 Books to Teach Kids About Kindness

Teach kids the importance of kindness with these 10 wonderful children’s books. Perfect for preschool and elementary-aged readers learning about empathy and friendship.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

If there is one thing that everyone needs in this world, it’s kindness. Small acts of appreciation and support don’t take a lot of time, but they can make a big impact. Kindness is a quality that I am working to instill in my kids. I encourage them to smile at kids in the hallway, say hi to someone who seems sad or lonely and remember that their words have power to change someone’s entire day.

Each year, there are two days dedicated to kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day is on February 17th and World Kindness Day is celebrated each year on November 13th.

I’ve put together a short list of books that present kindness in a way that even young kids can understand. Below you’ll find the title, author, age and a summary from Amazon.

10 Books to Help Teach Kids about Kindness

• Kindness is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego
  • Ages 3-6
  • Amazon Summary: This charming story with peaceful rhymes and colorful illustrations will explain to your child that it is okay to make a mistake and say I’m sorry. Lucas will teach your child good manners and positive behavior at home, at school, in the store, and on the playground.
• A Little Spot of Kindness by Diane Alber
  • Ages 3-6
  • Amazon Summary: A fun story about the power to choose kindness! From saying please to sharing toys, your child will learn how to spread kindness in everyday situations at school and at home!
• Kindness Rocks by Sonica Ellis
  • Ages 0-12
  • Amazon Summary: Kindness Rocks is a touching children’s book about the power of kindness and how small things can inspire, motivate and uplift others in tremendous ways. Little Clara enjoys painting cute messages on rocks and leaving them for people to read. A heartwarming tale that seeks to teach children that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
• Kindness Starts With You by Jacquelyn Stagg
  • Ages 2-6
  • Amazon Summary: Follow Maddy through her day at school, where your child will learn how easy it can be to spread kindness! From taking turns on the swing to including everyone in the game – this storybook shows that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted!
• Kindness Makes Me Stronger by Elizabeth Cole
  • Ages 2-6
  • Amazon Summary: Spending time on his grandparents’ farm, little Nick meets new friends – funny animals that don’t behave nicely. Having faced a great challenge our little hero manages to teach his new friends the power of kindness, caring and compassion.
• Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer
  • Ages 1-3
  • Amazon Summary: Kindness is a friendly hello. A roaring cheer. A quick boost. Kindness is what makes us strong! This joyful board book shows various children as they extend kindness in all kinds of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime, on a bike path, and on a neighborhood street. This sweet preschool read-aloud shows the way kindness helps build friendship and community.
• Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
  • Ages 4-8
  • Amazon Summary: One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined in this epic journey about life, kindness, and giving.
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? and Fill A Bucket by Carol McCloud
  • Ages 3-6
  • Amazon Summary: While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do. When you’re a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!
• Taste Your Words by Bonnie Clark
  • Ages 5-8
  • Amazon Summary: Amera’s having a bad day. Her best friend ruined her cupcake and they both said mean things. When Amera brings her bad mood home with her, her mom tells her to “taste her words.” Amera’s mean words taste like rotten eggs, spoiled milk, and lemons! As Amera realizes that her mean words make her feel bad and others feel worse, she starts saying the kindest, sweetest words she can find.
• Catching Kindness by Kara Mitchell
  • Ages 4-8
  • Amazon Summary: A heartwarming picture book that shows how compassion can ripple through everyday moments. When a young shopper feels disappointed and grumpy, an unexpected gesture of kindness sparks a chain reaction–from the bread aisle to the checkout line. And just when kindness is needed most, it circles back in a beautiful and surprising way.

Looking for more kindness themed activities? Check out these other great resources!

• Kindness Matters Word Search
• Be Kind Coloring Page

Want to save this post for later? Hover over one of the images below and click the “Pin It” button. Then save it to your Pinterest board!