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Cool to Be Kind: Children’s Books That Champion Kindness

by Dena McMurdie

Illustration: Elizabeth Graeber

My husband and I have spent many family discussions teaching our children about kindness. We tell our kids that what goes around comes around. If you want to be treated with kindness, you need to treat others with kindness. We’ve been successful for the most part, but kids make mistakes (who doesn’t?) and need a refresher now and then. Here are some books that celebrate kindness and help my family remember how and why we should be kind.

How Kind!

by Mary Murphy

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Kindness is contagious. When Hen gives an egg to Pig, she starts a domino effect of kindness that spreads throughout the barnyard. This adorable board book is straightforward and simple in its message of expressing kindness to others.
(Ages 2 – 5)

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The Nice Book

by David Ezra Stein

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Adults often say “Be nice!” to little tots who don’t yet understand what that really means. This sweet little book uses clear, simple statements — like “When you get in a snit, don’t hit” and “If you have more than you need, share” — to teach children how to treat others.
(Ages 0 – 3)

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A Sick Day for Amos McGee

by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

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Amos spends his days caring for his animal friends at the zoo. When Amos gets sick, the animals decide to return the favor. This classic story about selflessness teaches kids that if you treat others with kindness, they’ll be kind to you.
(Ages 2 – 6)

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K is for Kindness

by Jodie Shepherd, illustrated by Tom Brannon

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Elmo is working to earn his Monster Scout “K Is for Kindness” Badge! Follow along with Elmo as he does good deeds around the neighborhood and learns what it means to be a kind person.
(Ages 3 – 7)

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Horton Hears a Who

by Dr. Seuss

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One day Horton, with his very big ears, hears a tiny yelp for help coming from a speck. The other jungle animals don’t know what he’s talking about, and they want to destroy the speck. Thus begins Horton’s epic journey to save the Whos. This classic Dr. Seuss tale is such a great way to teach kids that kindness is persistent and that any person, or elephant, can stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
(Ages 5 – 9)

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The Invisible Boy

by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

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Shy, quiet Brian feels invisible in the hustle and bustle of his classroom. Then a new student arrives and Brian sees an opportunity to make a friend. The Invisible Boy provides a gentle reminder of how it feels to be left out and how small acts of kindness — something as simple as saying hi — can make a big difference in someone’s life.
(Ages 6 – 9)

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Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa

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Mrs. Ruler starts a kindness campaign in her class. As the kids work on their acts of kindness, they realize they can change the world through their good deeds. This offbeat and colorful book offers 100 ideas kids can put into action.
(Ages 5 – 10)

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I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness

by Kerascoëet

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A classmate wonders how she can help when she sees Vanessa, the new girl at school, walking home crying after a confrontation with a bully. A sweet and simple wordless picture book that opens up conversations around kindness, caring, and stepping up against bullying.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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Those Shoes

by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

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Kindness and generosity take center stage as a young man chooses to look past his own desire to fit in and help someone else in need. This is a great discussion starter about peer pressure, kindness, and poverty.
(Ages 5 – 8)

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Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow

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Short, bullfrog-voiced, and buck-toothed, Molly Lou Melon is the perfect target for the school bully. Good thing her grandmother taught her to be confident and love herself just as she is. A powerful message on how important it is to be kind to yourself as well as others.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed

by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka

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Mary is ordinary in every way, but even ordinary kids can do extraordinary things. By performing one simple act of kindness, Mary starts a chain reaction that affects people all over the world.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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What Does It Mean To Be Kind?

by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch

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Kindness often takes courage. We can choose to be kind to others in our actions each day. Using short, simple terms, this delightful picture book gives kids several specific suggestions of how to be kind.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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The Last Stop on Market Street

by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

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Messages of optimism, kindness, and serving those less fortunate than you are palpable in every word and page of this beautiful book. A grandmother teaches her grandson to look on the bright side of life and lift up those around him.
(Ages 3 – 5)

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Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

by Carol McCloud, illustrated by David Messing

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Kind actions help both the receiver and the giver. Everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled up through kindness. As you fill other people’s buckets, your bucket also fills up — which makes you (and them) feel good inside.
(Ages 3 – 5)

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The Monster Who Lost His Mean

by Tiffany Strelitz Haber, illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds

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Excluded by the other monsters for losing his "M", Onster goes in search of new friends. This simple story holds several messages about choosing good friends, self-confidence, peer pressure, and kindness.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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Everybody’s Welcome

by Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Greg Abbott

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A little mouse is building a house when a frog comes along and laments the fact that his pond has dried up. The little mouse immediately invites the frog to live with him. Soon birds that lost their tree, rabbits chased away from their burrow by eagles, and other animals looking for a home join in building a home where “everybody in it will feel that they belong.”
(Ages 3 – 7)

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Good People Everywhere

by Lynea Gillen, illustrated by Kristina Swarner

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Sometimes you need a reminder that there are good people in the world. This book highlights the good actions of people and encourages children to spread the love. Read this when you or your child needs a lift.
(Ages 3 – 7)

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Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners

by Laurie Keller

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A family of otters moves in next door and Rabbit is worried. He doesn’t know anything about otters, but Owl teaches Rabbit to treat the otters with kindness — just the way he would want to be treated. This silly how-to book about the golden rule is both funny and enlightening.
(Ages 4 – 8)

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You Go First

by Mercer Mayer

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Everyone’s favorite critter learns a lesson in kindness in a way that’s relatable for children. Little Critter learns to put others first, be considerate, and show kindness through his words and actions.
(Ages 3 – 7)

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Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2018.