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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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