The best Kindness and Empathy picture books for parents and teachers, sorted by grade. Read alouds from our channel come first.
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Stories about seeing the world through someone else's eyes, sharing, and treating people well.
91 books · 50 with a read aloud on our channel
Grandpa has Henry and Ella fill a pickle jar with kind acts, and they find out kindness feels good all on its own. So easy to start a kindness jar at home after.
When Tanisha spills grape juice on her new dress, her classmate wonders how to help and what kindness really means. A thoughtful story that shows small acts of kindness add up.
A grumpy seed decides he can change, and kids see that a bad day doesn't make you bad. Funny, honest, and one of our favorites.
A boy's dad promises a secret recipe to get rid of his new enemy, but there's a catch: he has to spend the whole day with him. A clever, funny story about how enemies become friends.
A grape who holds every grudge learns to let things go. Laugh out loud funny with a real lesson about forgiveness.
Quiet Brian feels invisible at school until a new classmate, Justin, notices him and his amazing drawings. A powerful read for talking about inclusion and the kids who get left out.
The Big Cheese learns Christmas isn't all about him. Full of puns and holiday heart.
After Taylor's block tower crashes down, one animal after another offers advice, but the rabbit simply listens. A gentle lesson for kids and grownups about how to comfort someone.
A cheese who has to win at everything learns what really matters. Perfect for the competitive kid in your house.
Jeremy wants the shoes everyone has, but his grandma can't afford them, so he buys a thrift store pair that's too small. A moving story about wants, needs, and an unexpected act of generosity.
Piggie sets out to thank everyone, and the last thank you is for the reader. A sweet farewell to Elephant and Piggie and a perfect gratitude book.
CJ asks why he doesn't have what others have as he and his grandma ride the bus across town, and Nana helps him see the beauty around them. A Newbery Medal winner about gratitude and community.
A snake wants to play catch with Gerald and Piggie. A funny way to talk about including everyone.
Lucy is teased for being different, but she stays herself and helps the bully when he needs it. A great story about courage and kindness.
Ricky can't roll like the other rocks, so his friends find a way to help. A rhyming story about inclusion that kids ask for again and again.
A tree gives a boy everything she has, from apples to shade, as he grows into an old man. Simple and moving, it opens wonderful conversations about love and giving.
Gerald has a big decision to make, and it's melting fast. A funny, relatable book about sharing.
Chloe and her friends ignore the new girl Maya, and when Maya moves away, Chloe realizes it's too late to make it right. A powerful, honest story that sparks real conversations about kindness.
A whale takes Piggie's ball, and Gerald finds a kind solution. Great for talking about sharing and size.
Everyone carries an invisible bucket, and kind words and actions fill it while unkindness empties it. A simple, memorable idea that many classrooms use all year long.
Gerald breaks Piggie's new toy and their friendship is tested. A great one about forgiveness.
Blue is a quiet color who gets picked on by Red, until One shows the others how to stand up. A brilliantly simple book about bullying and the power of one voice.
Dot helps a new student find her way, and the kindness spreads. A sweet story about how one kind act grows.
A boy and his father live secretly in an airport after losing their home. A powerful, empathy building story for older kids.
A perfect egg learns he doesn't have to be perfect all the time. So good for little ones who are hard on themselves.
Being cool isn't about the clothes, it's about being kind. A great one for starting a new school year.
Gerald and Piggie try to surprise each other. A funny, sweet friendship story.
Gerald tells a long, wild story about how he broke his trunk. Kids love the big ending.
The Cool Bean and friends in a snowy, cozy adventure about friendship. Great for winter break.
Miss Rumphius sets out to make the world more beautiful, and does. A gorgeous classic about leaving your mark.
Chrysanthemum loves her name until kids at school tease her. A classic about teasing, self worth, and the teacher who changes everything.
Gerald is sad and Piggie tries everything to cheer him up. Funny and sweet, and it shows kids what being a good friend looks like.
The Duckling gets a cookie just by asking nicely, and the Pigeon is furious. A funny lesson about manners.
A summer day at the pool and a lesson about including everyone. Light, funny, and kind.
Penelope Rex has a hard time not eating her classmates. A hilarious first day of school book about making friends.
Sophia learns her friend Maddi doesn't have enough food at home. A gentle, important story about empathy and helping quietly.
Helps kids notice the small things that make them happy and how to grow that feeling. A sunny pick for any day.
Ted and Unicorn go looking for a place to play with slime and end up helping fairy tale characters along the way. Messy fun with a message about helping others.
Frank tells the truth, a little too much of it. A funny, kind look at being honest without hurting feelings.
A rhyming look at the trash in our oceans and what kids can do about it. Powerful and hopeful.
Lets kids know sadness is okay and shows what helps when it shows up. A soft, reassuring read for a heavy day.
Duncan's lost and broken crayons send him postcards asking to come home. Funny, clever, and full of heart.
Simple, everyday ways to be kind that little ones can try the same day. We love that kindness feels doable, not like a lecture.
Woolbur does everything his own way, even when the flock wants him to fit in. A funny celebration of being yourself.
Taylor thanks each of his friends with a small gift, and soon the whole community is doing the same. A sweet Thanksgiving book about showing gratitude.
All the ways love shows up, from hugs to helping. Sweet for Valentine's Day or any day you want to say I love you.
The crayons show love in all different colors. A sweet Valentine's read.
Carla's lunches look weird to her classmates, until they try them. A fun way to talk about trying new things and not judging.
Jackson can't sleep with all the noise, so he finds a kind solution. A gentle, funny bedtime read.
Silly, sweet, and all about the love in a family. A fun Valentine's pick for little ones.
A scribble gets left out for looking different, and the other drawings learn to welcome him. Kids love the art and the message sticks.
A plain little stone wants a big purpose and finds it by spreading kindness. Kids always want to go paint rocks after this one.
Santa's sick, so Pete steps in to save Christmas. Groovy, rhyming holiday fun with a message about giving.
Eager Eagle rushes and Patient Pig takes her time, and on the basketball court they learn from each other. A clever flip book where the two stories meet in the middle.
Little Lou is a pet store fish who's told nobody will pick her unless she changes. A sweet story about peer pressure and staying true to who you are.
Zozo meets a unicorn and they go on a journey that helps her see her own sparkle. A bright, rhyming reminder that you're enough just as you are.
An inspector shows up to shut down a cat's diner and ends up making a new friend. A rhyming story about choosing kindness over judgment.
In the final Bentley book, Bentley has to choose between his big dream of going to the moon and his friends. A heartfelt ending to the series about acceptance and what friendship really means.
Terry the Toad hears strange sounds on her delivery route and follows them to a surprising new friend. A rhyming story about curiosity and kindness.
Marty the lion gives in to peer pressure and picks on their elephant friend, then gets picked on himself. Bentley and friends have to choose kindness and second chances. Great for talking about bullying.
Jaxon hands out bananas all over the park and one bonks Bentley on the head. A funny mishap that turns into a real lesson about sharing.
A canceled playdate turns into a fun day of chores with Dad. A sweet story that turns everyday tasks into quality time.
Little Blue Truck stops to help a dump truck stuck in the mud with help from his animal friends. A sweet, rhyming story about kindness and friendship.
Chef Jose Andres feeds people in disaster zones around the world through World Central Kitchen. An inspiring true story about using your talents to help.
A huge storm sends Bruce's woodland neighbors crowding into his already full home. Funny and heartwarming, it shows kids how opening your door builds a real community.
When a bully troubles Chester, his mom tells a story about smoothing a sharp stone. Chester and friends try kindness, a gentle, hopeful lesson in handling bullies peacefully.
A paper fortune teller gets left on the playground after recess, so she teams up with a potato chip, a basketball and some chewed gum to fix the slide. Wacky, funny teamwork from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit.
Frankenkitty, a stitched together kitten, scares everyone except Olive, who sees its sweet side. When it is wrongly blamed and banished, Olive comes to the rescue. Spooky, funny, and full of heart.
Captain Owl brushes off chatty Early Bird, who wants to be a Knight Owl, until her courage shines during a wolf attack. A lovely tale about teamwork and giving others a chance.
Lilly is sure she will be the flower girl at her teacher's wedding, and her disappointment is huge. How she handles it, with surprising grace, makes this a great feelings book.
Lilly adores her teacher until he takes away her musical purse, and her anger leads to a mean drawing she regrets. A funny, honest look at big feelings and making amends.
Little SPOT shows kids what respect looks like with friends, family, and teachers. A clear, kid friendly way to talk about treating others well.
Little SPOT helps friends think before they speak and choose gentle words for others and themselves. A simple, positive lesson for the classroom or playground.
Little SPOT helps kids imagine how others feel and respond with kindness. A clear, accessible introduction to empathy for young readers.
Little SPOT shows kids the joy of giving and helping others. A nice choice for the holidays or any season of generosity.
Bruce is stuck inside with a cold while the mice ski and skate, so they bring the winter fun to him. A sweet, funny Little Bruce book about caring for someone who feels poorly.
Pig stays up all night demanding his Christmas presents and ends up on a wild sleigh ride with Santa. A cheeky holiday rhyme about greed that keeps the whole family laughing.
Pig tells fib after fib to grab the treats and gets poor Trevor blamed, until a bowling ball delivers justice. A giggly, memorable way to talk about honesty with little ones.
On Halloween, greedy Pig rampages for treats and plots tricks for anyone stingy with candy. A rowdy, rhyming Halloween romp with the payback kids love to see coming.
Pig refuses to share a single toy with sweet Trevor, and his greed sends him tumbling. Bouncy rhymes and a hilarious comeuppance make sharing lessons land without any lecture.
Pig hogs every costume at a photo shoot and shoves Trevor aside, then schemes when Trevor gets noticed. A funny rhyme about sharing the spotlight that little show offs will recognize.
Pig tours the world being rude to everyone he meets, and his bad behavior eventually catches up with him. A funny rhyme about manners and respecting others wherever you go.
Pig cheats at everything and sulks when he loses, until a kibble eating contest goes very wrong and Trevor saves him. A rollicking rhyme about playing fair that kids beg to reread.
When a little striped fish is left out of the games, Rainbow Fish remembers how it felt and comes to his rescue when a shark appears. A shimmering lesson in including everyone.
Once again Bruce is mistaken for someone else, and this time the forest critters line up to tell him their Christmas wishes. A hilarious holiday read where the grump grudgingly spreads cheer.
After her abuelo is hurt at the town dump, Sofia decides to turn it into a park and takes her idea all the way to City Hall. A spirited story about speaking up.
George the giant buys fancy new clothes, then gives away each piece to help animals in need. This rhyming story, called The Smartest Giant in Town in the UK, celebrates kindness.
David wants to make everyone laugh, but he learns some stunts are just not funny. A playful look at good humor versus going too far, with Mom's love steady throughout.
Tiny searches for the perfect tree for his star, but keeps stopping to help friends along the way. A tender Christmas story showing that kindness makes even small stars shine.
New from the Food Group, out November 10, 2026, so preorder now. Toast used to keep to himself, until one moment showed him how good it feels to help his whole town.
