It is easy for kids to forget the difference that they can make with the smallest of actions. These children’s books about small acts of kindness can bring smiles to the faces of readers and encourage them to go out in the world and spread some kindness of their own.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post. We received copies of these books in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It Will Be OK

Written by Lisa Katzenberger and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

When Giraffe is scared by a spider on the way to the watering hole, he runs up a tree. His friend Zebra tries his best to talk him down, but Giraffe is just too scared. Zebra decides to wait with him until he is ready. In the end, Giraffe is able to face his fear with the help of his friend, and pass the empathy on to another. The sweet story offers an important lesson on facing fears, kindness, and empathy, with tips in the back of the book for helping friends who are scared. Kids will love the vivid illustrations featuring the intense emotions of the animals in the story.

The Song for Everyone

Written by Lucy Morris

This sweet story takes readers to a little town where a beautiful song comes from a window high above the street. The song reaches everyone in the town, filling them with joy. But when the song mysteriously stops, a young boy ventures up to the window to find out what happened. When he finds a little wren, exhausted from singing, he calls down to the townspeople and they all pitch in to help the little bird. The story celebrates the joy that music can bring, and the ability of a community to pull together and complete kind acts.

Related Post: Children’s Books on Kindness

Ways to Welcome

Written by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Joey Chou

This rhyming book introduces all kinds of ways that we can make people feel welcome. The text is bursting with small acts of kindness that kids can do, and the accompanying illustrations are full of bright colors. The diverse cast of characters features different ages, races, and families showing love and kindness to one another, and to animals as well. This is a great way to share welcoming acts of kindness that kids can do on their own, and to teach them how they can make a difference in a small way.

Finding Kindness

Written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Irene Chan

This heartwarming book shares all of the many ways that kindness can be shared. The rhyming text starts with a young girl sitting by a window and releasing a bug from a cup. Each turn of the page shares more people in the community doing simple acts of kindness. Some of these acts are illustrated through a single word and a colorful illustration. In the end, the story cycles back around to the same girl sitting by the window sharing another kindness. This book is full of ideas for kids to share kindness in their own lives. The adorable illustrations are sure to put smiles on their faces as well.

I Dig Being Kind

Written by Michele Robbins and illustrated by Ekaterina Ladatko

In this sweet board book, a group of cute truck characters help those around them with simple acts of kindness. The rhyming text on each page is accompanied by colorful illustrations featuring adorable truck characters with big expressive eyes and smiles. As the trucks help kids, pets, and other trucks, they share that they DIG being kind. Kids will love the sweet story and characters, and may be inspired to go out and be kind as well.

Our Little Kitchen

Written by Jillian Tamaki

This colorful book shares what happens when people in a community come together in a small kitchen to create a meal for others. Lots of the story is told through speech bubbles. The illustrations feature a diverse group of characters working together to peel, chop, and create warm dishes for others in the community. The different fonts and speech bubbles show the frenetic energy in the kitchen, and may inspire the reader to put their own kitchen skills to good use helping others.

No Ordinary Jacket

Written by Sue-Ellen Pashley and illustrated by Thea Baker

Amelia is a young girl who loves her favorite jacket. When she outgrows it, her mother suggests that she gives it to her little sister, who also loves it. The jacket then starts on a journey offering warmth to humans and animals alike. In the end, the mother finds a way to breathe new life into the beloved jacket, continuing the journey of the treasured item. The illustrations in the book use different textures to highlight the material of the jacket, as it makes its way around the family. The story is a great way to show kids how the kind act of sharing your beloved items can spread further than you ever believed.

Related Post: Teaching Kids to Be Kind & Play Nice

Zero Local Next Stop: Kindness

Written by Ethan Murrow and Vita Murrow

This beautiful wordless picture book shows how kindness can be spread from one person to another. In the story, a young girl watches as an artist shares her gratitude with the driver of the train. That simple action eases stress and tension when the train is delayed. The young girl takes this lesson to heart, and uses her own skills to spread kindness and light when people on the train get frustrated and angry. The detailed illustrations are done in black and white, with bright pops of yellow showing how the kindness flows from person to person and begins to grow. This book is a fun way to show kids visually how kindness can spread.

Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures

Written by Tricia Springstubb and illustrated by Elaheh Taherian

In this heartwarming story of neighborly kindness, a young boy named Khalil and his elderly neighbor Mr. Hagerty forge a friendship. As Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden, Khalil searches for buried treasure. When they both come up empty, each of them decides to surprise the other with what they are looking for. Their sweet actions cement their friendship, and show the reader how their thoughtfulness can make a difference in someone’s life.

This Way Charlie

Written by Caron Levis and illustrated by Charles Santoso

This sweet story was inspired by a real animal friendship. Jack is a grumpy goat who likes to keep to himself. When Charlie the horse arrives, he and Jack get off on the wrong foot when Charlie’s lack of eyesight causes him to trip over Jack. After watching Charlie struggle on his own, Jack decides to help him out and lead him around. When the weather turns bad and Charlie senses Jack having his own fears, he does what he can to help his new friend too. The story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations, showing the intense emotions experienced by the adorable animals. The back of the book includes an author’s note about the real animal friendship that inspired the story.

Magic in the Attic

Written by Jim Shore

This beautiful book by artist Jim Shore follows Button the Bear as he wanders around his house on a rainy day. He feels like something is missing, and he wants to make a friend. In the dusty attic, he finds a bunch of treasures that he has fun playing with, and a box to make an Instant Friend. With a little work, he creates Squeaky, the balloon animal dog who will become his friend. The heartwarming story celebrates the beauty of friendship and small acts of kindness, with beautiful illustrations done in a warm, comforting style.

Related Post: I Am Love: Acts of Kindness for Kids

Something for You

Written by Charlie Mylie

When a little mouse discovers that his friend is sick, he goes out and searches for something to make his friend feel better. As he travels around gathering things, his plan goes awry and he finds himself without anything to offer. Except it may just be that the best thing he can offer, is something he had all along. The charming story is accompanied by colorful illustrations of the little mouse adventuring out in the world and trying hard to help his friend.

Second Banana

Written by Blair Thornburgh and illustrated by Kate Berube

This story of kindness and friendship follows Mrs. Millet’s class as they prepares for the Food is Fun Healthy Eating Good Nutrition Pageant. When the narrator is given the role of Second Banana, she is very unhappy. She doesn’t want to share her character. When the girl playing First Banana gets scared to go onstage, the narrator comes up with a plan to help First Banana face her fears. The story has a sweet finale, and the illustrations are full of cute kids dressed as different foods.

The Word for Friend

Written by Aidan Cassie

When Kemala the pangolin heads to a new school, none of the other students in her class speak the same language. As she struggles to fit in with the other students, Ana the anteater reaches out and tries to help her bridge the language barrier. Together, they are able to learn new things, and develop a friendship. The illustrations feature adorable animal characters, and beautiful cut paper puppets made by Ana. Readers will love watching the two characters develop their friendship and will see how a small act of kindness can bridge gaps and create opportunities.

What are your favorite children’s books about acts of kindness? Share in the comments below!

More Posts You May Enjoy: