{"id":13403,"date":"2020-05-13T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/?p=13403"},"modified":"2023-08-08T16:17:43","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T21:17:43","slug":"picture-books-about-kindness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.allaboutlearningpress.com\/picture-books-about-kindness\/","title":{"rendered":"Picture Books about Kindness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Would you like to explore a selection of picture books about kindness? Some of the stories will make you laugh and some of them will make you cry. They\u2019ll make you think and, best of all, they\u2019ll make you talk.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

And talking about the characters in these stories will help your children become more aware of kindness and the ways they might show it every day\u2014to their friends, to their siblings, and sometimes even to perfect strangers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Read the synopses of a few of my favorite picture books about kindness below, then head to your local library with my free printable library list<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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\r\n \r\n \"A\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

A Home for Bird<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Philip C. Stead<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Vernon the toad has found a new friend. But Vernon is worried. Bird doesn\u2019t seem to want to talk, and he doesn\u2019t seem very happy. It must be because he\u2019s missing his home. So Vernon does what anyone would do when he discovers his friend is lost. He sets out to find A Home for Bird<\/cite> \u2026 whatever it takes.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Bear\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Bear in Love<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Daniel Pinkwater<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If the way to a bear\u2019s heart is through his stomach, then Bear\u2019s new admirer is certainly on the right track. When special treats begin to appear on Bear\u2019s doorstep, he can\u2019t wait to meet his new (but very <\/span>secretive) friend! He may not know who is showing him such kindness, but that doesn\u2019t stop Bear from returning the favor.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Boxes\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Boxes for Katje<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Candace Fleming<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the dark days after WWII, a small kindness blossoms into a full-blown friendship between two little girls who live a world apart. One day the postman brings Katje a box filled with much-needed gifts\u2014all the way from America. But that\u2019s just the beginning for these two girls, their families, and eventually their communities.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Chicken\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Chicken Sunday<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Patricia Polacco<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kindness begets kindness\u2014and the kindness in Chicken Sunday<\/cite> begins with Miss Eula and her big heart. But it doesn\u2019t stop there. The kindness continues with fried chicken dinners, three grateful children, a soft-hearted old shopkeeper, and an Easter bonnet for a much-loved Grandma.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Each\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Each Kindness<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Jacqueline Woodson<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Kindness is contagious, but Each Kindness<\/cite> offers a sad reminder that kindness that isn\u2019t<\/span> shared can\u2019t spread. Chloe doesn\u2019t want to be friends with the new girl who wears secondhand clothes. But when Maya stops coming to school, Chloe realizes that her chance to be kind may not last forever.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Fritz\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Jan Brett<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jan Brett\u2019s beautiful illustrations tell the story of Fritz, a dependable and sure-footed pony who dreams <\/span>of the day the children will ride him. But Fritz isn\u2019t like the beautiful horses that live within the city walls. So he just watches and wishes from afar. But when the bridge collapses, everything changes.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"How\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

How to Heal a Broken Wing<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Bob Graham<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Bob Graham doesn\u2019t use very many words in his touching story about a big-hearted boy and a very lucky bird. In the hustle and bustle of the big city, no one stops to notice a bird with a broken wing. Nobody, that is, except Will. The illustrations do most of the storytelling in this sweet book about kindness and compassion.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Mufaro's\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

Mufaro\u2019s Beautiful Daughters<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by John Steptoe<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In John Steptoe\u2019s African tale, Mufaro\u2019s daughters are both beautiful, but only one is kind. When a search is announced to find a woman beautiful and worthy enough to be the king\u2019s wife, Mufaro sends his daughters to the palace. But the girls soon discover that kindness shown in secret may be much more visible than you realize.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"One\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

One Smile<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Cindy McKinley<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Showing kindness\u2014even something as simple as a smile\u2014can make a huge difference. As Katie walks through the park with her mother, she smiles at a sad young man. And when Katie\u2019s simple act of kindness is passed from one perfect stranger to the next, it\u2019s plain to see that kindness is<\/span> contagious after all.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The\r\n <\/a>\r\n \r\n

The Invisible Boy<\/cite><\/span>
<\/a>by Trudy Ludwig<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019ve ever felt invisible, Trudy Ludwig\u2019s The Invisible Boy<\/cite> will make you smile. Brian has always <\/span>felt invisible. But when a new boy comes to school, Brian shows him kindness. And as their friendship blossoms, so does Brian. The once-invisible boy suddenly seems full of life and color.<\/p> \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Penguin<\/a>\r\n

Penguin and Pinecone <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Salina Yoon<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When a penguin discovers a cold and lost-looking pinecone, an unlikely but wonderful friendship is born. And although friendships can be somewhat unexpected, and sometimes don't even make sense, Penguin and Pinecone<\/cite> prove that when you give kindness and love, friendship always grows.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"I<\/a>\r\n

I Walk with Vanessa <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Kerasco\u00ebt<\/span><\/p>\r\n

No words are needed to tell this sweet story of kindness and friendship. When a girl witnesses a new student being bullied at school, she makes the decision to befriend the new girl and walk to school with her the next day. And that small gesture of kindness changes everything!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Be<\/a>\r\n

Be Kind <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Pat Zietlow Miller<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What can she do to make her friend feel better? That\u2019s the question a young girl asks herself when she sees her classmates laugh at another girl who spilled her grape juice. But that leads to an even bigger question. What can we all<\/span> do every day to show kindness?<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Enemy<\/a>\r\n

Enemy Pie <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Derek Munson<\/span><\/p>\r\n

How do you deal with your very first enemy? A boy needs ideas, and his somewhat sneaky dad comes up with a great one: bake your enemy an \u201cenemy pie.\u201d But there\u2019s a catch. Enemy pie only works if the boy is willing to spend an entire day playing with his enemy.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Girl and the Bicycle <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Mark Pett<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The green bicycle in the store window is perfect, and the girl just has<\/span> to have it! But when she finally earns enough to buy the bicycle\u2014it\u2019s gone! This wordless picture book will inspire readers with its tale of hard work, perseverance\u2014and kindness.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Last<\/a>\r\n

Last Stop on Market Street <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Matt de la Pe\u00f1a<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Winner of both the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal, Last Stop on Market Street<\/cite> features eye-catching illustrations and a charming story. As CJ and his grandmother ride the bus, Nana helps CJ spot the worth and beauty in the people and situations around them.<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Stick<\/a>\r\n

Stick and Stone <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Beth Ferry<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In this delightful tale of kindness and friendship, when Pinecone starts teasing Stone, Stick \u201csticks up\u201d for Stone and the two become best friends. But then disaster strikes, and Stick is blown away in a sudden hurricane. Can Stone find him or is their friendship lost forever?<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Those<\/a>\r\n

Those Shoes <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Maribeth Boelts<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Every kid in Jeremy\u2019s school is getting new shoes. Those<\/span> shoes. When Jeremy finds a pair in a thrift shop, he convinces his Grandma to buy them\u2014even though they\u2019re way<\/span> too small. But when he notices another boy wearing worn-out shoes, Jeremy knows exactly what to do!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"The<\/a>\r\n

The Rabbit Listened <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Cori Doerrfeld<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Taylor builds a magnificent house of blocks. When the house gets knocked down, Taylor\u2019s friends try to cheer her up. Some want to talk about it and some want to get angry. Others want to help her rebuild, but Taylor doesn\u2019t want any of those things. What does<\/span> Taylor need?<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"A<\/a>\r\n

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by Michelle Edwards<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Sophia loves helping Mrs. Goldman make hats for people. Mrs. Goldman knits them and Sophia decorates them with beautiful pompoms. One day Sophia notices that Mrs. Goldman doesn\u2019t have a hat of her own. But can Sophia make an entire hat all by herself?<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n

\r\n \r\n \"Sidewalk<\/a>\r\n

Sidewalk Flowers <\/cite><\/span><\/a>
by JonArno Lawson<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As a young girl walks with her father through the city, she gathers a bouquet of flowers and begins to share them with the people and animals she encounters. Without a single word, this sweet picture book shows how small acts of kindness bring beauty to the world!<\/p>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n

FREE Picture Books about Kindness<\/span> Library List<\/h2>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\"Picture<\/a>\r\n

Would you like to read some of my favorite picture books about kindness with your children? Click to download my list<\/a> to take to your local library. <\/p>\r\n

Looking for MORE books? You can find more great library lists here<\/a>!<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Picture Books about Kindness Recommended by Our Readers<\/h2>\r\n