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24 Picture Books To Teach Students About Kindness
It may be a constantly changing world for our students, but
one thing is for certain: being kind is just as important now as ever
before. Send students the message that kindness is a top priority—and
honor the reality that showing it can take courage, creativity, and
persistence—by including books about it in your curriculum. Here are 22
of our favorite kindness books for the classroom.
Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!
1. Boo Who? by Ben Clanton (PreK-1)
It can be hard to find ways to include someone new
–especially when that someone is invisible– but it’s worth the effort.
Simple and sweet, it’s easy for kids to “see” the possible connections
between this story and their own lives.
2. What Does It Mean To Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio (PreK-1)
Concrete but engaging, this title answers an essential question.
3. Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners by Laurie Keller (PreK-2)
Who better to teach kids the nitty-gritty details of being nice than…otters? Trust us, it works.
4. The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates (PreK-2)
Being kind means making space for everyone, as this “big,
friendly umbrella” shows. Read it, and then leave an umbrella propped by
your classroom door as a reminder to be inclusive.
5. Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller (PreK-2)
A girl tries to follow her mother’s advice to “be kind” when
others tease a classmate, but her attempt doesn’t help…at first. Talk
with students about how kindness can gain momentum over time.
6. Most People by Michael Leannah (PreK-3)
This title is a lovely tool for reassuring children that the world is full of kind people with good intentions. Diverse illustrations highlight the kindness of “most people.”
7. The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (PreK-3)
Teach children that no one is too small to be kind with this timeless fable, re-imagined by a masterful illustrator.
8. The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (PreK-2)
A simple assignment leads to a school-wide kindness-fest. We
guarantee students will be asking to make their own Kindness Quilt by
the end of the story.
9. Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler (K-2)
Mrs. Ruler is to kindness what Ms. Frizzle is to science.
Instead of punishing kids who act up in class, she challenges them to
find opportunities to be kind.
10. I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About A Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet (K-4)
This wordless story of how one child wrestles with the
decision to become an ally, and her eventual impact, is a powerful one.
Back matter provides some helpful talking points for class discussion.
11. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (K–4)
12. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
And speaking of Dr. Seuss, this holiday favorite is a great reminder of the importance of friendship and giving back.
13. The Jelly Donut Difference: Sharing Kindness With The World by Maria Dismondy (K-3)
Twins Dexter and Leah enjoy the back-and-forth nature of kindness when they decide to reach out to their elderly neighbor.
14. How To Heal A Broken Wing by Bob Graham (PreK-3)
No one notices a hurt pigeon except young Will, who takes it
home and tenderly nurses it back to health. This story celebrates the
capacity of children to provide kind, gentle care.
15. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena (K-5)
CJ’s wise and patient grandmother shows him that kindness
resides in both one’s mindset and actions in this quietly evocative
award-winner.
16. A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards (K-5)
How do you acknowledge the efforts of someone who is
perennially kind? Return the kindness, of course. Little Sophia sets out
to show Mrs. Goldman how much the neighborhood appreciates her
hand-made gifts.
17. Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine (1-5)
When a man steals the lemons Rosalinda and her family
intended to sell at the market, a wise advisor encourages her to be
empathetic. Invite students to consider responding to others’
transgressions with kindness.
18. The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau (1-5)
This beautifully illustrated saga of a greedy king’s
transformation into a traveling ambassador of kindness will keep
students captivated until the last page.
19. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts (1-5)
Jeremy’s quest for a pair of “those shoes” that his family
can afford doesn’t end as he originally hopes, but it does create an
opportunity to be kind. This classic read aloud is a mirror for some students and important window for others.
20. One Green Apple by Eve Bunting (1-5)
For Farah, everything feels new. Her classmates’ small acts of kindness go a long way towards making her feel like she belongs.
21. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig (1-5)
This classroom must-have shows how another’s kind acts can mean the difference between feeling unseen and living in full color.
22. Buckets, Dippers, and Lids: Secrets To Your Happiness by Carol McCloud (1-5)
If you love sharing Have You Filled a Bucket Today? with
your kiddos, consider adding Carol McCloud’s most recent title to your
library; because being kind to yourself is as important as being kind to
others.
23. Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving by John Frank (1-5)
This diverse collection of poems offers plenty of concrete
examples of kindness, from keeping an elderly neighbor company, to
encouraging a struggling classmate, to paying it forward.
24. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson (1-5)
Jacqueline Woodson never fails to give us lumps in our
throats. When you’re ready to take your class discussion of kindness to a
more nuanced level, share this title about the kindness we wish we’d shown, and the opportunity to make a change.
What are your favorite kindness books for the classroom? Share your thoughts in our WeAreTeachers Helpline group on Facebook.
Plus, our favorite books to teach social-emotional skills, and our favorite anti-bullying books.
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