Empathy and Kindness: a Children’s Book List

Last Stop on Market Street

Matt de la Peña

"Sometimes when you're surrounded by dirt, CJ, you're a better witness for what's beautiful." CJ begins his weekly bus journey around the city with disappointment and dissatisfaction, wondering why he and his family can't drive a car like his friends. Through energy and encouragement, CJ's nana helps him see the beauty and fun in their routine. This beautifully illustrated, emotive picture book explores urban life with honesty, interest and gratitude. Last Stop on Market Street has won multiple awards and spent time at the number one spot in the New York Times Bestseller List.

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The Monster Who Lost His Mean

Tiffany Strelitz Haber

Teased by the other monsters for being nice instead of mean, Onster prefers playing with children and helping them with their chores to frightening them.

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The Story of Ferdinand

Munro Leaf

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls.

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The Invisible Boy

Trudy Ludwig

Brian has always felt invisible at school, but when a new student, Justin, arrives, everything changes.

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Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Carol McCloud

For use in schools and libraries only. Uses the metaphor of a bucket filled with good feelings to show how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis.

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How Kind!

Mary Murphy

Hen gives Pig an egg, how kind says Pig. He keeps the egg safe and warm, Hen is so kind, he thought. I would like to do something kind too. So Pig is kind to Rabbit, and Rabbit to Cow ... and so it goes on. One good turn leads to another, and at the end is a cracking surprise for Hen

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If You Plant a Seed

Kadir Nelson

Kadir Nelson, acclaimed author of Baby Bear and winner of the Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, presents a resonant, gently humorous story about the power of even the smallest acts and the rewards of compassion and generosity. With spare text and breathtaking oil paintings, If You Plant a Seed demonstrates not only the process of planting and growing for young children but also how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.

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We’re All Wonders

R. J. Palacio

The unforgettable bestseller Wonder has inspired a nationwide movement to Choose Kind. Now parents and educators can introduce the importance of choosing kind to younger readers with this gorgeous picture book, featuring Auggie and Daisy on an original adventure, written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio. Over 6 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy. Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way. We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children. Praise for Wonder: A #1 New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Top 100 Bestseller An Indie Bestseller A Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time Selection A Washington Post Best Kids’ Book A Parents Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year A New York Times Book Review Notable Book An NPR Outstanding Backseat Book Club Pick An Entertainment Weekly 10 Great Kids’ Books Selection A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Booklist Editors’ Choice An E. B. White Read Aloud Award Winner An ALA Notable Book A Bank Street Best Book of the Year An IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection A Christopher Award Winner “A beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation.” —The Wall Street Journal “A crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.” —Entertainment Weekly “Rich and memorable.” —The New York Times Book Review “Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year.” —Slate.com “A glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and most importantly, kindness.” —The Huffington Post “Endearing, enduring Auggie and his family and friends will find a place in the hearts of readers and prompt reflection on how we treat others.” —The Washington Post

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All Are Welcome

Alexandra Penfold

Celebrate diversity and inclusion with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where all are welcome! Look under the jacket for a poster, and don't miss the fold-out page at the end of the book. Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year. All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school. “This is a must-read for pre-school and elementary classrooms everywhere. An important book that celebrates diversity and inclusion in a beautiful, age-appropriate way.” – Trudy Ludwig, author of The Invisible Boy and Quiet Please, Owen McPhee! "Penfold and Kaufman have outdone themselves in delivering a vital message in today's political climate."--Kirkus, Starred review "A lively, timely picture book."--Booklist "A great read-aloud selection to start the year and revisit time and again." —School Library Journal

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Little Blue Truck

Alice Schertle

"Neigh!" said a horse. "Quack!" said a duck. "Beep!" said the friendly Little Blue Truck. Little Blue Truck is a joyful cacophony of animal and truck sounds that will have youngsters beeping and quacking—and begging for one more go-round! Along the way, readers see that it pays to be kind to our animal friends . . . if we show a friendly respect to others, we’re more likely to get help when we’re, say, stuck in the muck in a truck. Jill McElmurry’s gouache illustrations of wild-eyed farm animals and country roads are warm and wonderful, suiting the cheerfully rhyming text to a T. Beep!

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