If you sit a young child down and try to explain to them what compassion is, they might not understand. Empathy can be even trickier to explain! But reading children’s books together that show what kindness and compassion look like can help children understand these complex concepts. More importantly, the books I’m sharing in this post can inspire kids to show compassion in their day to day lives.
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12 Inspiring Children’s Books about Compassion and Empathy
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox and Leslie Staub
No matter how many times I’ve read this simple but profound book, I still tear up a bit. Vibrant and moving illustrations of children accompany the powerful text. The story reminds children that though our homes, skin colors, schools, lands, lives, and languages may be different, inside our hearts are the same.
On one page spread, we see a crying child with their mother, saying goodbye to their father, who is also crying. A bus drives by in the distance, giving adults the opportunity to talk about why some families migrate, and how hard it must be to be away from your family. Perhaps the reason this book moves me so is that many adults have not yet grasped its message that joys and pain are experienced by all people, no matter who we are. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
One by Kathryn Otoshi
It’s vital that parents and educators not only teach children not to bully others, but also how to stand up for kids who are being bullied. One conveys this important lesson by talking about the color Blue, who usually likes being himself. Except that is, when he’s around Red. Red only feels good when he makes others feel bad.
The other colors try to comfort Blue, but they don’t tell Red what they really think either. It’s not until the number 1 shows us that things begin to change. I appreciated that this book extends compassion not only to the other colors, but in the end, to Red as well. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
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Giant Steps to Change the World by Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Sean Qualls
If we want to help children live compassionately, we must also help them develop courage. This picture book inspires children with the many ways they can make the world better, and fill the big shoes of past leaders. The book reminds children in several ways that this will not be easy, but it also gives them (unnamed) examples of people who have courageously acted for freedom, knowledge, kindness, and beauty.
I love the endpapers of the book, which are filled with quotes by some of the leaders’ whose compassion and courage are featured in the story. (Recommended for ages 5 – 9)
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Just Like Brothers by Elizabeth Baguley and Aurélie Blanz
This simple but profound story can help you start conversations with children about prejudice and empathy. I’m not sure if it was the lyrical text or the gorgeous paintings, but my son asked to read this book every day for at least 3 weeks when I first bought it.
A human mother warns her young son to beware of wolves, with their long snouts and sharp teeth. She doesn’t know at the very same time that a wolf mother is telling her son to stay away from men, with their rough hands and jab sticks. Both children are eager to play and soon forget their mothers’ warnings. When they meet in the woods alone, both mothers and children end up learning how fear can misshape our perceptions of others. (Recommended for ages 4 – 9)
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz, Amy Shrodes, and Sue Cornelison
For many children, showing compassion towards animals is a way they learn to develop kindness in general, making this an ideal book for exploring kindness. This is a true story of an Iraqi family who fled the violence of Mosul. The mother Sura is determined that their beloved cat Kunkush must come with them on their uncertain journey. When their crowded boat lands in Greece, Kunkush is lost in the chaos.
It’s hard for children who live in safety to imagine what it’s like to become a refugee. But because this story focuses on the family’s love of their cat, it can help children who aren’t refugess develop empathy and understanding for those who are. The photographs of Kunkush and the real people involved in the story at the end are not to be missed! (Recommended for ages 4 – 10)
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Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn, Cornelius Van Wright, and Ying-Hwa Hu
It’s New Year’s Day and young Sam cannot wait to spend the lucky money his parents gave him! As they wander through the crowded celebrations in Chinatown, Sam thinks about all the ways he could spend his $4. Sam literally stumbles over a man sitting on the street, and he’s puzzled about why the man would have bare feet during winter.
As they continue their celebrating and shopping, everything that Sam wants costs more than his lucky money. When he complains, his mother reminds him to appreciate what he’s given. When they again cross paths with the man who doesn’t have any shoes, Sam finally knows what he wants to do with his lucky money. (Recommended for ages 5 – 9)
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Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis
Too often, adults try to tidy up children’s stories to make sure they have a happy ending, whether it’s appropriate or not. I appreciate that Each Kindness helps kids understand that others are affected by the kindness they do not show, as well as the times when they are compassionate.
When a new girl named Maya shows up in school and tries to befriend Chloe, Chloe isn’t sure why she turns away from her. Maya gives Chloe many chances to show friendship, but she doesn’t take any of them. One day, Maya isn’t there.
Their teacher takes out a bowl or water and drops a stone in. Ms. Albert tells the children that each time we show kindness, it ripples out into the world, just like the ripples from the rock. When Chloe learns that Maya has moved away, Chloe thinks about what she might have done when she had the chance. (Recommended for ages 6 – 10)
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The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz and Steve Adams
Reflecting on her autistic brother’s childhood experience of not quite fitting in with his peers, author Jen Wojtowicz was inspired to write this imaginative tale of a boy whose body sprouts flowers whenever the moon is full. Rumors swirl about the quiet boy Rink, who sits in the back of the class and doesn’t talk much. One day a new girl arrives, one who actually tries to befriend Rink.
Rink not only finds acceptance and friendship with Angelina. He also discovers how he can share his special talents to help a friend. This is an ideal book for conversations about how the things that make us different can also make us special. (Recommended for ages 4 – 10)
Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Several years ago, I was suprised to learn that award winning children’s book author struggled with dyslexia as a child. Thank you, Mr. Falker tells the story of how she longed to learn to read. As they other children in school progress past her, she begins to feel dumb.
Her family encourages her, but the cruel teasing of some of her classmates makes her more and more anxious about going to school. When Mr. Falker, a new teacher who seems to like all of the children, arrives, things begin to change for Trisha.
Be aware that this book doesn’t shy away from describing the meanness of some of Trisha’s classmates, including calling her stupid and ugly. (Recommended for ages 7 – 11)
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We’re All Wonders by R. J. Palacio
If your child doesn’t have the attention span for the chapter book Wonder yet, you’re in luck! Palacio now has a picture book with the same themes about compassion, empathy, and acceptance.
Auggie does the same things that ordinary kids do, including adventures with his dog Daisy. But he knows he doesn’t look like other children, and sometimes they say things that hurt him. He does know that he is a wonder, and dreams of the time when other children will be able to see that too. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)
Zen Ties by Jon J Muth
Stillwater the panda is always ready to help his young friends learn important life lessons. In Zen Ties, Stillwater and his nephew Koo help the children get to know their elderly neighbor Miss Whitaker. Karl and Addy are surprised that the grumpy Miss Whitaker is a friend of Stillwater’s, but they agree to help him make her lunch.
What the children don’t realize is that their visits with Miss Whitaker will also help them with some of their own struggles. This is a perfect book to read with children who have trouble empathizing with elderly or frail relatives or acquaintances. (Recommended for ages 6 – 10)
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Barefoot Books’ Children of the World by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma, and David Dean
There are very few books I consider “must haves” for a classroom or home, but The Barefoot Book of Children is one of them! The simple text and lavish illustrations are ideal for talking about many different kinds of diversity with children.
I love how the beautiful illustrations depict children of many different world cultures, family types, races, abilities, shapes, and sizes in non-stereotypical ways. The thoughtful questions in the book help children reflect on one of the keys to empathy and compassionate: How are we different? And just as important, how are we alike? (Recommended for ages 4 – 10)
Jojo and the Food Fight by Didier Lévy and Nathalie Dieterlé
A food fight among animals in the jungle might seem like a preposterous scenario, but Jojo’s friends are facing a scenario that’s familiar to most of us. What do you do when everyone’s been fighting so long that you don’t even remember what you are fighting about?
Jojo hatches a plan to stop the fighting based on his hunch that his friends are willing to come together to help him with a big problem. Maybe in the process, they’ll remember that they are, in fact, all friends. (Recommended for ages 3 – 7)