In today’s fast-paced world, young parents are anxious to raise kids who will be forces of kindness and positivity in the future. There are several children’s books that give beautiful lessons about kindness, compassion, and friendship, by narrating simple, relatable stories in a colorful and creative manner.
We’ve rounded up a selection of children’s books that can give touching messages of empathy and kindness to your kid.
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1. Last Stop on Market StreetLast Stop on Market Street is a 2015 children’s book written by American author Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This Newbery Medal-winning book tells about a young boy, CJ who goes out with his grandmother one day. It talks about the beauty, kindness, and joy they witness on their way back home. CJ spends most of the journey asking seemingly simple questions about everything and everyone he comes across. His grandmother answers each question with patience such that they elicit empathy toward the other characters throughout the book. It reminds young readers that everyone around them has some unique skills and a story and that we must be kind and open-hearted enough to hear it. Available on: Amazon.in |
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2. Those ShoesThose Shoes is a 2007 children’s book written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. This book tells the story of a young boy dreaming to get a pair of cool shoes. The boy struggles to decide if he should give his shoes away, and when he decides to, both he and the boy he gives them to end up being happier than they were before. It is an inspiring story of selflessness and generosity in spite of peer pressure. The story also highlights the importance of giving and making difficult decisions. Available on: Amazon.in |
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3. You, Me and Empathy YouMe and Empathy is a 2017 children’s book written by Jayneen Sanders and illustrated by Sofia Cardoso. This book aims to help kids develop skills like empathy and understanding through their compassionate main character. It has an adorable story with beautiful illustrations. The book is a great way to introduce small children to the importance of empathy, about why it’s important to care about how others are feeling. Available on: Amazon.in |
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4. Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. RulerKindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is a 2007 fiction book for children 5-8 years. The book is written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. This book tells the story of a kindergarten class that discovers the value of being nice and doing good deeds. The kindergarten class teacher, Mrs. Ruler has a peculiar style of speaking in rhymes, and she teaches her students about various ways to be kind. Available on: Amazon.in |
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5. Listening with my HeartListening with my Heart is a 2017 children’s book written by Gabi Garcia and illustrated by YingHui Tan. It is an endearing book with important lessons about kindness towards oneself and others. It highlights the power of a small kind gesture to others. It focuses on self-compassion and love, which help foster empathy and kindness. It also builds resilience and the ability to recover from disappointments. Available on: Amazon.in |
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6. A Sick Day for Amos McGeeA Sick Day for Amos McGee is a 2011 children’s book written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This award-winning book shows the value of selflessness and caring for one another. It is a story about a zookeeper who is great friends with all the animals and takes time out every day to do what they like with them. One day, he falls sick and the animals decide to visit him. It shows how kind actions towards others get repaid in beautiful ways. Available on: Amazon.in |
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7. Have You Filled a Bucket Today?Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is a 2006 children’s book written by Carol McCloud and illustrated by David Messing. This book introduces the idea that everyone has an “invisible bucket”. These buckets are used to hold good thoughts and feelings about oneself. Everyone can fill their “bucket” with acts of love and kindness and find real happiness in the process. This book would be especially beneficial for kids to develop empathy towards others in their social interactions. Available on: Amazon.in |
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8. My Big Book of KindnessAuthors: Geeta Dharmarajan, Haku Shah, Jivya Soma Mashe, John Gould, M. F. Husain, Mother Teresa, Pallavi Dutta, Samruddhi Porey, Suddhasattwa Basu. Photographer: Samruddhi Porey. Illustrators: Pallavi Dutta, Jivya Soma Mashe, M. F. Husain, John Gould, SuddhasattwaB Basu Haku Shah This book by Katha publishers helps young readers understand what it means to be kind and how they can express kindness through simple gestures in daily life. With adorable stories and illustrations, it introduces young ones to the idea of kindness. The book also examines the effects of global warming and illustrates many easy ways to help make a difference. Available on: Amazon.in |
Young ones can be taught empathy and understanding through books in a simple yet powerful way. These books would go a long way in inculcating the values of kindness and empathy in your young ones so that they shine on with positivity all through the rest of their lives.
