With pages as the map and characters as the guide, these books about kindness and empathy will help your child grow in compassion, one story at a time

“It doesn’t cost me anything to be kind.” - Paddington the Bear.

The world can be a harsh place. Prickly and stickly. Cold and cruel. 

But how does one develop kindness and empathy, and how do you teach it to your kids?

When we take our kids on a journey through Nooksy's collection of books about kindness and books about showing empathy, we can help them embrace the characteristics that can help the world become a softer, kinder place.

Nooksy’s Selection of Books About Kindness and Empathy

Kindness

I Can Be Kind

By:
Amanda Appiarius, Heather Lester

"Changing the world isn't easy, but it's easy to start with you."In I Can Be Kind, Alice learns she can make this BIG world a BETTER world through small acts of kindness and helping others.

Read 
I Can Be Kind
 now

The Golden Acorn Tree

By:
Jocelyn Argueta, Peili Huang

Follow a friendly squirrel as she explores a charming forest and gathers acorns for her neighbors. Young children will delight in this sweet tale of friends with tails and how they help, and accept, every animal in their forest community.

My Dad will do

By:
Ag Jatkowska, Martin Thomas

t's not easy being small. Especially not being able to reach things. Like the hook to hang a coat, a shelf to get the toys, or the pedals of a bike. Kitchen sides, the shower, and a light switch are all too high. But the love of a father is an amazing thing. With dad close by anything is possible. With dad close by nothing is out of reach.

Read 
My Dad will do
 now

My Mum is there

By:
Ag Jatkowska, Martin Thomas

It’s not easy being small. Nothing is simple. Not speaking, sleeping or walking. Not counting, reading or swimming. Not even hopping, skipping, or jumping! But with mum close by there’s no need to be scared, and anything is possible.

Read 
My Mum is there
 now

Little Elephant's Big Year

By:
Ag Jatkowska, Martin Thomas

"All through out the year the seasons turn, and little by little we begin to learn."

The Lonely Mailman

By:
Daniel Montero Galán, Susanna Isern, Jon Brokenbrow

Each day, the old mailman faithfully delivers special letters to the forest animals. But the mailman has never received any letters of his own. Then one day everything changes. This touching story of friendship and love will delight readers and letter writers of all ages.

Read 
The Lonely Mailman
 now

Under the Great Plum Tree

By:
Sufiya Ahmed, Reza Dalvand

Deep in the jungle, an unlikely friendship blooms between the golden-hearted monkey Miss Bandari and the old crocodile Mr. Magarmach. But what will happen when King Crocodile comes along to test their friendship? The story of the monkey and the crocodile comes from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables. Versions of this tale of courage and forgiveness can be found all around the world.

The Adventures of Gracie and MonkeyBear: Summer

By:
Jordy Farrell, C.S. O'Kelly

Gracie & MonkeyBear is told through the actions and conversations between a brilliant young girl and her partner in adventure, the most celebrated canine inventor the world has ever seen MonkeyBear! The pace is that of children, hopping and bouncing from one creative thought to the next, one adventure to another. This is not a traditional children's book, it is a storyworld meant to be read and experienced together, parent and child, veteran bookworms with new readers. At its core, The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear embodies the concepts of relentless curiosity, untethered imagination, power of diverse friendships and experiences (like the world around us), heroic acts of kindness based on strength of character and most of all, the belief that all living things are connected and should be treated with love, compassion, and respect.

Crocs dont do Yoga

By:
Michelle Wilson, Catherine Suvorova

Crocs don’t do yoga... or do they?Connie is one snappy crocodile. Any small setback can send the croc into a frenzy, forcing all the creatures on Constant Creek to take cover. Then an unlikely friend suggests yoga to help stay calm… but Connie will need some encouragement.Will she be brave enough to give it a try?

Read 
Crocs dont do Yoga
 now

Gloria's Porridge

By:
Elizabeth Laird, Toby Newsome

Gloria has cooked some delicious porridge but doesn’t want to share it. When Cat eats it all up, Gloria is very cross and chases him away. Cat interrupts the donkey, who disturbs the bees, who bothers the hen. Can everyone learn to get along?

Read 
Gloria's Porridge
 now

Quill Soup

By:
Dale Blankenaar, Alan Durant

Noko, the porcupine, is very hungry. On arriving at a village, he asks the other animals for some food and shelter. But, despite their full bellies, all the animals say they have nothing to spare...so Noko creates a delicious pot of Quill Soup - fit for a king!

Read 
Quill Soup
 now

The Word Collector

By:
Jon Brokenbrow, Sonja Wimmer

Luna is passionate about words. She adores her light and laughs with her tickles. But one day she realizes that little by little the beautiful, magnificent and funny words are disappearing from the world, and the girl decides that it is time to act.A poetic tale about the magic of the word, about the power it has when it is positive and that invites readers of all ages to follow this wonderful story in an original and fun way.

Read 
The Word Collector
 now

Bloom

By:
Anne Booth, Robyn Wilson-Owen

Each day, a little girl talks to a flower and it blooms from her attention.The owner of the flower, an angry man, bans her from his garden. The flower refused to open. The angry man tries everything. But still it does not open. Defeated, he asks the advice of the little girl. Talk to it with love, she says. So he did. And the flower bloomed.

Read 
Bloom
 now

Mr Snuffles Birthday

By:
David Greaves, Emily Wallis

'It was a wonderful day for snuffling for truffles,'What a birthday treat!' thought Mr Snuffles…’Adults and children of all ages will delight in following Mr Snuffles' frustrating woodland quest for his beloved truffles. But is Mr Snuffles on the right scent?Beautifully illustrated by Emily Wallis, David Greaves' Mr Snuffles' Birthday is a glorious celebration of language, friendship and truffles: a tale to be treasured and to read aloud together time and time again.

Empathy

Walking Through a World of Aromas

By:
Jon Brokenbrow, Ariel Andrés Almada, Sonja Wimmer

Winner at the 2013 International Latino Book AwardsA tale that will touch your heart, teaching us that if we set our minds to it, we can all turn what we perceive as weaknesses into strengths.

We all Celebrate

By:
Chitra Soundar, Jenny Bloomfield

Celebrations unite us all. From Diwali, to Chinese New Year, venture on a rich journey of celebration all over the world. Children will discover fascinating traditions and customs they might not be familiar with. Bursting with fascinating facts about cultures and religions throughout the world, this uplifting non-fiction picture book is a true celebration of diversity.

Read 
We all Celebrate
 now

The Two Hearts

By:
Hinrich Mummenthey, Claudia Rudolph

Two hearts, which are very much in love, but ultimately very different – learn an important lesson about acceptance.

Read 
The Two Hearts
 now

My Shadow is Pink

By:
Scott Stuart

My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity.Inspired by the author’s own little boy, ‘Shadow’s’ main character likes princesses, fairies and things ‘not for boys’... he soon learns (through the support of his dad) that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide.This is an important book for a new generation of children (and adults alike) which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.

Read 
My Shadow is Pink
 now

Philippa and the Homeless Bumblebee

By:
David Greaves, Danielle Callaghan

"There was once a happy bumblebee, who lived beneath a tree..."One day the happy bumblebee has her world turned upside down when her beloved meadow home is destroyed. But to her delight a brave child comes to her rescue. Philippa and the homeless bumblebee embark on an exciting adventure together.Where will their journey take them?This delightful, beautifully illustrated tale gives children a unique introduction to the importance of bees and the natural world.

Mary had a Monstersaur

By:
Peter Bath, Mike Dumbleton

Mary had a dinosaur called Monstersaurus Rex.Not the cuddly little lamb that everyone expects!What happens when everyone in town meets Mary’s huge new friend? Will he fit in? Or was he born to stand out?

Moon's Messenger

By:
Virginia Kroll, Zuzanna Celej

Moon´s Messenger reminds us of the importance of conserving and respecting the environment, and that we can all help to protect nature and biodiversity.

Read 
Moon's Messenger
 now

Ten Tears and One Embrace

By:
Marta Sanmamed, Jon Brokenbrow, Mar Azabal

Peter and his friends want to share their great discovery with you. We don’t only cry when we’re sad! This enthusiastic team of young scientists sets up a laboratory in a garage to study tears, and all the different things they can be used for. They are about to become explorers, in a sea of emotions.

Grandma's Odd Socks

By:
Marta Taylor

"I love my grandma. But there?s one thing about her that I don?t understand. She always wears odd socks!"Grandma likes to stand out from the crowd. She chooses colourful clothes, covered in flowers, and her hair is bright red. AND she wears mismatching socks. Everyone laughs at her. But when it?s YOUR grandma, it?s really not funny at all, and something needs to be done!

Imogen Baddley

By:
Irene De La Peña, Sigi Cohen

All Sofia wanted was to enjoy her new school, but sadly…along came a bully named Imogen Baddley!See how Sofia, with humour and heart, deals with Imogen the bully, causing most unexpected results!

Read 
Imogen Baddley
 now

The Homesick Fox

By:
David Greaves, Danielle Callaghan

"A story about missing your home, when you’re far away, and all on your own…"David Greaves' poetic, multi-layered children's story evokes 'the call of the wild', a mysterious and wondrous thing: but The Homesick Fox will also appeal to adults working in the 'Big Smoke' and pining for the quietude and slower rhythms of country life.Exquisitely illustrated by Danielle Callaghan, The Homesick Fox is a melancholy tale with an uplifting ending, exploring feelings of isolation and loneliness in an urban fox which has lost its way and yearns for its spiritual home: the countryside. At last the fox can bear his solitude no more, and without knowing where his paws will take him, sets off on a journey into the night.

Read 
The Homesick Fox
 now

Build a deeper connection with your little ones as you delve into the worlds of Foxes, Bees and Monstersaurs - all with a message of kindness and empathy.

Learn more about How to Select Books for Your Child.

Also: Have you seen Nooksy’s awesome collection of books about being kind for kids, or our books about courage for kids?

Plus: Read our hand-picked selection of books about changing the world and Nooksy’s Books About Emotions for Kids.

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