Children's Books about Kindness

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Ahiyya, Vera

Leo, a quiet kid who is not ready for his first day of kindergarten, ends up having a great day when he makes a kindness pledge and discovers he knows a lot about being kind to others.

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AuYeung, Pearl

Once upon a morning in Hong Kong, in the alley of Tai Yuen Street, a girl is promised a mooncake with a double-yolk-center--the best kind! The special mooncake feels like the only excitement on a boring day in the beeping, bickering, and bartering of the market, where nothing ever changes...until a stranger falls to his knees right in the middle of it. He's tired and hungry after running through forests, swimming through rivers, stowing away on a ship, and more to get to Hong Kong. But no one seems willing to help--not even the girl, if it means giving up her favorite treat. This story of compassion and gratitude, inspired by true events, reminds us that the smallest acts of kindness can hold the power to change lives, for the giver as much as the receiver.

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Davis, Tanita S.

Rylee Swanson is beginning eighth grade with zero friends. A humiliating moment at the end-of-seventh-grade pool party involving a cannonball, a waterlogged updo, and some disappearing clothes has Rylee halfway convinced she's better off without any friends--at least friends like those. ... When a group assignment in journalism pairs Rylee with science geek DeNia Alonso, DeNia's annoyingly know-it-all, nerdy personality is both frustration and fuel to Rylee's search for answers. Together they conduct research, run surveys, and write their way toward even more questions about what makes friendships--and breaks them. ... The more she learns, the more Rylee wonders: could there be a science to friendship?

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Faruqi, Reem

Zahra loves spending time with Kyle at school, but when her other classmates start teasing her for helping him she starts making choices she regrets.

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Gonzalez, Christina Diaz

Can five overlooked kids make one big difference? There's George: the brain Sara: the loner Dayara: the tough kid Nico: the rich kid And Miguel: the athlete And they're stuck together when they're forced to complete their school's community service hours. Although they're sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same... just five Spanish-speaking kids. Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help... or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.

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Gray Smith, Monique

This beautiful picture book looks at how the simple act of being kind, to others and oneself, affects all aspects of a child's life.

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Gray Smith, Monique

A picture book intended to foster reconciliation among children and encourage them to show each other love and support.

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Guo, Ye

Goat and Bunny are very different, but it is okay because the two friends find ways to accept each other and share their adventures.

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Jarvis

Jarvis offers a moving tale of friendship, kindness, and acceptance, softly touching on the subjects of illness or hardship in a way that young children can understand. Everyone likes David, the boy with flowers in his hair. He's sweet and gentle, just like his colorful petals. David and his best friend have a great time together, finding the good puddles, making up songs, and running away from the bees. But one day David comes to school wearing a hat, and he is quiet. When he takes off the hat, his bright petals flutter down like butterflies. Now, where his flowers were looks twiggy and prickly, causing the other children to stay away. But David's best friend has an idea-a way to help David get his color back, wielding paintbrushes and plenty of love. Sensitively told and simply illustrated, Jarvis's story invites even the youngest children to talk about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way-and feel inspired to support others when they face trying times.

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Lindstrom, Carole

Indigenous women have always worked tirelessly to protect our water -- keeping it pure and clean for the generations to come. Yet there was a time when their voices and teachings were nearly drowned out, leaving entire communities and environments in danger and without clean water. But then came Grandma Josephine and her great-niece, Autumn. Speak for the water. Sing for the water. Dance for the water. With moving lyricism and arresting illustrations, Carole Lindstrom and Bridget George celebrate Josephine Mandamin and Autumn Peltier, two groundbreaking water warriors who have created a tidal wave of change

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Manley, Curtis

Roberta rescues tiny creatures. You know, the ones stranded in the middle of the sidewalk. A lot of the time, that earns her funny looks from kids in school. But when a swarm of baby spiders finds its way into the classroom, Roberta will save the day with her knowledge and creativity, showing everybody that tiny creatures aren't so scary after all. They just need friends who rescue and understand them!

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McAnulty, Stacy

It was like a game of tag, with one small act of kindness spreading throughout a small community of kids and teachers alike. Award-winning children's book author Stacy McAnulty packs a powerful punch with minimal text, providing a sweet message about all the small ways one can be kind. Illustrator Wendy Leach creates a diverse cast of characters while using color as a visual cue to how kindness is able to spread, even in a small community like a school.

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Moahloli, Refiloe

A picture book exploring the idea of ubuntu--a concept of shared humanity, compassion, and oneness.

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Mora, Oge

When the aroma of Omu's homemade stew fills the air, her neighbors arrive, one by one, for a taste until all is gone except for her generous spirit.

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Napoli, Donna Jo

When a young Japanese girl moves into her new house, she is happy to see a girl her age playing in the snow just outside her window. The only problem is the Japanese girl doesn't speak English and the American girl doesn't speak Japanese. But each girl's love of the snow teaches them that they don't need to speak the same language to have fun!

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Neal, Trinity

A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal.

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Prince, Gabrielle

A repeated call to action reminds young readers that everything in our world is connected.

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Smith, Monique Gray

In this warmhearted book, we join Molly at the Intertribal Community Center, where she introduces us to people she knows and loves: her grandmother and her grandmother's wife, her uncles and their baby, her cousins, and her treasured friends. They dance, sing, garden, learn, pray, and eat together. And tonight, they come together for a feast! Molly shares with the reader how each person makes her feel--and reminds us that love is love.

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Sorell, Traci

Otsaliheliga is a Cherokee word that is used to express gratitude. Journey through the year with a Cherokee family and their tribal nation as they express thanks for celebrations big and small. A look at modern Native American life as told by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

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Stewart, Alexandra

Kindness is a superpower! We all feel the weight of the world on our shoulders sometimes. It's easy to forget how powerful we are. Through more than twenty-five true stories in these pages, you'll discover that no matter who you are or where you live, kindness to yourself and others can be an amazing source of strength.

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Verde, Susan

A child recognizes his own humanity, his capacity for doing harm and being harmed, his ability to feel joy and sadness, and his belief in hope and promise to keep learning.

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Widener, Leslie Stall

Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and Hopi Nation: linked forever through generosity and care over almost two centuries from the Potato Famine to the Covid pandemic.

Summaries provided by DPL's catalog unless otherwise noted. Click on each title to view more information.

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