Books are amazing tools for teaching our children about important topics like kindness, empathy, acceptance, and inclusion.
As a mother to three young girls, I grow increasingly concerned each day with raising children to bring good to the world. I truly believe that children are born kind and, as mothers, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children continue practicing kindness.
As parents, helping our children understand the concepts of kindness, empathy, understanding, acceptance, and inclusion, we provide a basic knowledge base for our children to build upon.
In my few short years of motherhood, I’ve learned that beautiful and powerful lessons can be taught through the words that flow from books.
Summertime is almost over and that means back-to-school for our children. This time of new beginnings can bring up a lot of emotions for children.
While my daughters are only preschoolers, I want them to understand the importance of including others in both play and conversation while acknowledging and appreciating differences in others. School settings can be scary and unpredictable for some children and, in this circumstance, a little kindness can go a long way.
I have compiled a list of my daughters’ favorite books, along with some recommended by very special people, highlighting the need for kindness in our childrens’ social settings. These books provide beautiful lessons about kindness, friendship, empathy, acceptance, and inclusion.
Here’s to some happy reading about some tough topics!
Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
The Good Egg by Jory John
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung
Words and Your Heart by Kate Jane Neal
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson and Fumi Kosaka
You, Me, and Empathy by Jayneen Sanders
One by Kathryn Otoshi
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber and Kirstie Edmunds
We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3! by Leslie Kimmelman
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb
The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
You Hold Me Up by
Salam Alaikum: A Message of Peace by Harris J
Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
