Kindness Books for Kids

We could all use a little more kindness in our lives, which is why years ago, I started a Random Acts of Kindness series, as friends and I shared ideas about how to teach our little ones about showing compassion towards others. Reading together is an important part of raising kids who do the right thing, so today I am pleased to share these wonderful kindness books for kids. Some give ideas for acts of kindness, or things to keep in mind if you want to be kind (like being a good listener), while others show the effect kindness can have in someone’s life.

Kindness Books for Kids

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received complimentary copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own.

Spread empathy and compassion with these kindness books for kids!

This adorable board book teaches children about different mitzvot, or acts of kindness from Jewish tradition. The author takes concepts like cultivating joy and translates them into terms that young readers will readily understand, like making birthday cards. The book features Suzy Ultman’s signature style of artwork to bring home the message and elevate the text with joy and whimsy. For example, who better to illustrate patiently listening to a friend’s story than a little bird listening attentively to a giraffe friend? This book, with its bright, colorful artwork and simple text, will help children expand their ideas of kindness to include ideas like asking questions (learning and growing).

Watch my interview with the author/illustrator and her editor.

Buy It’s a Mitzvah on Amazon or Bookshop

This book immediately draws the reader in with its title and never lets go. Dude the bear has the best of intentions, but somehow, when he tries to help someone, he ends up doing the opposite. For example, he tries to pick lint off Panda’s sweater but ends up unraveling it. His best friend Fizz tries to explain to him that he needs to be a good listener and ask if someone wants help, but Dude is far too busy being kindness to stop and listen. Can Fizz stop Dude before he causes too much damage? A wonderfully silly book that does a great job of illustrating a lesson I have often discussed with my kids – the most important rule in helping someone is to ask first.

Buy Dude. Be Nice on Amazon or Bookshop

This sweet fable shows children that kindness and love change everything! With rhyming text and joyful illustrations, this volume, dedicated to the author’s grandchildren, tells of a king who heard his subjects yelling and fighting with each other. Rather than becoming discouraged, King Kindness leads through example, showing kindness to all and rallying them to work together to hold a big party in celebration of kindness. As they come together for this big project, they get to know one another and work as a team to check off ideas in the king’s kindness book, made up of their own ideas for showing love and compassion to all. This is a fun story with a great moral, and it also shows how helping others can not only spread kindness but change your own outlook.

Buy King Kindness of Kandu on Amazon or Bookshop

This lovely picture book is from the founder of The Kindness Rocks Project, which has now spread to 90 countries. This beautiful book shares her message that extraordinary acts of kindness can be made using ordinary materials. The story follows diverse children who are each having a very bad day. For each, their gray day is completely transformed when they find a rock with an uplifting message – a whisper of encouragement from an unknown friend. They in turn decorate their own rock to leave for someone else, and so the chain of kindness continues. This illustrates the ripple effect of kindness that I often discuss with my students: When we are kind to someone else, that person is more likely to be kind to the next person, and so on. A wonderful book that gives children a concrete idea of how they can be a part of the web of kindness now encircling the world.

Buy Kindness Rocks on Amazon or Bookshop

This book, part of the well-known Questioneers series, shows just how profoundly kindness can affect someone’s life. Lila Greer worries a great deal about the what if’s of life. So when her family moves to a new town, she is overwhelmed by the changes and many new possibilities for disaster. Her new teacher, Ms. Kern, shows patience and kindness to Lila, gradually helping her to change her perspective on the unknowns of life. What if a big change leads to an adventure? This friendship with Ms. Kern helps Lila not just that school year. The lessons she learns guide her throughout her life, leading her to become a teacher herself, to help a new generation of kids face their fears head on, through fierce and unwavering kindness.

Buy Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year on Amazon or Bookshop

What other kindness books for kids do you and your littles enjoy?

Raising Kids Who Do the Right Thing

Random Acts of Kindness series

Teaching Manners: Books and Simple Courtesy Craft