Learning Through Books

Want to Teach Your Child or Student About Kindness?

The following are brief stories to help your child or student learn about kindness

Ask your local librarian for other suggestions too!

Words Are Not For Hurting

This book explores the importance of the words we use. Important lessons include knowing how to use words in kind ways, how to apologize when your words hurt others, and standing up for yourself or others when people use words for hurting. Take a look in the back of the book for great ideas to expand on the book including categorizing words into hurtful words versus polite/kind words, critically thinking about ways to tell somebody something without words, or learning words in different languages (e.g., hello, hola, bonjour, or kon’nichiwa).

Tiny T-Rex and the Impossible Hug

This book helps kids see the value in showing love - no matter how big or small you are. A friend or loved one will appreciate when you show them love, no matter if it’s a small or big gesture. Lessons include being thoughtful about showing kindness to others, the importance of asking for help and advice, and even practicing different ways of showing kindness.

Stick and Stone

Sticks and Stones is a great story of the power of friendship. Lessons learned include how to be a good friend and being an upstander vs. bystander when encountering bully-type behavior.

You, Me, and Empathy

This book takes readers through a series of common situations. The main characters help readers think in the moment about how others are feeling by making connections to how the main characters felt in a similar situation. Great lessons include what it means to show empathy, great words to use to show empathy, and the power of empathy for helping people overcome different situations. Also visit this website for additional ideas to expand learning from this book: https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/teaching-empathy-kindness-and-compassion-for-kids-2/

Nerdy Birdy

Readers will learn about exclusion versus inclusion. The main character in the story wants to be included in groups that feels very special and exclusive. Later they realize, these groups don’t include some people based on how they look, how they dress, or what they eat. This doesn’t feel good, so they form their own group where there is room for everyone. Great lessons include inclusion vs. exclusion and how to be an upstander versus bystander.

The Rabbit Listened

This simple story is terrific for sharing the simple way people can listen to others when they are upset. This book shows readers how it often does not help others to come in and tell people what to do when they feel upset. Rather, lessons include the value in just sitting with someone and letting them talk when they are ready.

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

This story helps kids learn to think positively about themselves, despite things they feel aren’t good about them, and ignore hurtful or mean behavior from others. Lessons include positive self-talk, being an upstander versus bystander, and the power of groups and friendship for overcoming bullying.

The Big Umbrella

This book is great at helping teach lessons in diversity and inclusion. No matter what people look like, everyone has a spot under the umbrella. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and to be included. When everyone is kind to one another and when everyone feels included, the book helps readers to see the joy and happiness that comes.

Enemy Pie

This story follows a boy who believes he has an enemy. When he talks to his dad about the enemy, they discuss making enemy pie. The boy believes he needs to make his enemy pie really gross so his enemy feels bad, but his father doesn’t disclose the ingredients to enemy pie. His father just asks him to be kind to his enemy for a day. After the day, the boy has a change in his thinking. Lessons in the book include how to improve relationships with people and spreading positivity when others are negative.