In celebration of World Kindness Day, I’ve gathered a list of heartwarming children’s books that inspire kindness, empathy and compassion. Reading about kindness can help children understand the power of small acts of goodwill and encourage them to make thoughtful choices in their daily lives and besides,
the world could always do with a little more kindness!
1. Kindness is My Superpower By Alicia Ortego
Kindness is my Superpower teaches children that kindness can be a superpower that changes the world around them. Through fun, relatable examples, it encourages young readers to choose kindness in their everyday interactions.
2. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? introduces the concept of “bucket filling” as a way to explain kindness and empathy. Each act of kindness fills someone’s bucket with positive feelings, while unkind actions dip from it, teaching kids how their behaviour impacts others.
3. The Smartest Giant in Town By Julia Donaldson
George the Giant is the scruffiest giant in town until he buys a new outfit. As he encounters animals in need, he gradually gives away his new clothes to help them, demonstrating that kindness is more valuable than appearances.
Available on Amazon.
4. Kind By Alison Green
This beautifully illustrated book, featuring contributions from popular children’s illustrators, explores what kindness means and how even small acts can make a big difference. It encourages young readers to take positive steps to make the world a kinder place.
Available on Amazon.
5. The Lion Inside By Rachel Bright
In this touching tale, a tiny mouse learns to find courage with the help of a mighty lion. The story reinforces the importance of empathy, courage, and kindness, teaching kids that even small acts of kindness can make a big impact.
Available on Amazon.
6. A Sick Day for Amos McGee By Philip C. Stead
Amos McGee, a caring zookeeper, always makes time for his animal friends. When he falls ill, the animals return his kindness by visiting and comforting him. This gentle story shows how kindness can come full circle.
Available on Amazon.
7. Create Your Own Kindness By Becky Goddard-Hill
This lovely activity book is packed with ideas, exercises, and projects designed to help children practice kindness, empathy and mindfulness. It’s a hands-on way to inspire kindness as a daily habit.
Some of the lovely activities include creating a hug box, baking a kindness cake, going litter picking and much more!
Thank you, Jayne. This is an important subject so children reading about it in an entertaining and absorbing book is a lovely way to learn.
Some amazing books for kids here. Thank you.
I haven’t heard of any of these actually so it’s good to know. My daughter is 9 and I am always trying to teach her to be kind so books are a great way to show them too.
The Smartest Giant in Town was one of my children’s favourite books!
So important – sounds lots of great books!
Aww! What a lovely selection of books! We all need to be kind! x
It’s so important to teach children about kindness
What a nice selection of books
Thanks for sharing this great list of books, Jayne! Kindness is such an important thing to share and model to our Littles! I’m grateful for any teachable moments that I get so those books will be a fun thing to share with my grandkids!
I love The Selfish Giant and A Sick Day for Amos McGee. I haven’t read Have You Filled a Bucket Today? but it sounds like a lovely way to teach children how to be kind 🙂
#MMBC
some fabulous books here, thank you for sharing
Such a lovely variety of books. My great grandson loves reading and is a very kind little boy so I am sure these books, particularly The lion Inside
So important to teach kindness at an early age that can carry you through life.
What an amazing selection of books, my nephew and niece absolutely look reading
These is such a good collection. We can never have enough kindness.
Kind By Alison Green is my current favourite book.