Developing strong social skills is a key part of growing up, and reading can play a big role in shaping how children build healthy relationships. Books about friendship and kindness help young readers explore what positive connections look like, offering them examples of empathy, cooperation, and respect.
We’ve gathered a selection of diverse children's books that spark important conversations about how to be a good friend and the many ways we can show kindness to others, helping kids grow into thoughtful and compassionate individuals.
For your convenience, we've included publisher's descriptions along with each book.
There's nothing in the world like a wonderful friend. Friends are there to laugh with you and ready with a hug when you need one. There are forever friends and brand-new friends. Friends for adventures and friends for cozy days indoors. Friends who are just like you and friends who are nothing like you at all. In this book, celebrate ALL the marvelous ways to be a friend!
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
This inspiring picture book, written by TIME 2021 Kid of the Year Orion Jean, invites readers to join in the kindness movement, because when we dream big and work together, we can change the world.
From giving meaningful compliments to sharing your snack to donating used clothes, there are so many ways to be kind that it can be tough to know where to start! Luckily, author and fellow kid Orion Jean has some simple steps we can all take to make the world a better place.
Race to Kindness shows children ages 4-8:
Many different ways to show kindness
How much fun taking action can be
That even small acts of kindness can have a big impact
You're never too young to make a difference
Orion's journey from getting involved with his local community to having a nation-wide impact, giving readers a real-life role model?
With rhyming, lyrical text, Race to Kindness is the perfect read-aloud book for:
Parents and grandparents
Teachers and educators
Librarians and book events
Nonprofits and charities
Orion has donated over half a million books to date, but he knows firsthand that even the smallest kind gesture can have a big impact. Solace up your sneakers and join the race to kindness!
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
Written by kindergarten teacher and Instagram influencer affectionately known as the Tutu Teacher, comes a picture book about a class that creates a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be.
It's the first day of Kindergarten and Leo isn't at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. She explained that they would be making a kindness pledge, and each student should bring one way to show kindness on the first day.
As it turns out, Leo's classmates have lots of ideas about kindness: like raising your hand, never leaving anyone out, and apologizing if you hurt someone's feelings. At the end of the first day, Ms. Perry asks if anyone witnessed something they'd like her to add to the kindness pledge? Lots of hands shoot up in the air. Several classmates say they noticed Leo returning crayons to the box, holding the door for everyone, and helping a friend who fell. Leo smiles as he realizes he really does know a lot about kindness after all.
A story reassuringly told by Vera Ahiyya and brought to exuberant life by illustrator Joey Chou, this story about a classroom coming together to make a kindergarten into a KINDergarten is sure to calm the nerves--and offer inspiration--to new kindergartners and the adults in their lives.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
It's picture day and Faizah can't wait to wear her special red dress with matching hair ribbons, passed down from her mother and sister. Faizah's teacher starts the day by asking her students to envision the kind of world they want, inspiring Faizah and her friends to spend the day helping one another in ways large and small.
But when it's time for sibling pictures, Faizah realizes that she and her older sister, Asiya, don't match like her classmates do with their siblings. With help from her classmates inspired by Asiya's hijab, Faizah finds that acts of kindness can come back to you in unexpected ways.
From Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and fellow bestselling, award-winning creators S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly comes a heartfelt exploration of friendship, faith, and the joy of spreading kindness wherever you go.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
From the best-selling author of the hugely popular Kindergarten, Here I Come!, here's a guidebook in verse that shows children how to be kind in the new and exciting world of kindergarten.
Small enough to fit in a child's backpack, this collection of short poems--one to a page--spans the entire year of kindergarten, offering sweet and simple tips on how to be your best self--sharing your umbrella with a friend; taking turns on the swings, and inviting someone to join in a game. This is the perfect companion to DJ Steinberg's enormously successful Kindergarten, Here I Come!
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
Perfect for fans of The Day You Begin and Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrator Shahrzad Maydani's Sister Friend is a heartwarming new picture book celebrating the unique joy of cultivating friendships within your cultural community.
Ameena feels invisible. It's been that way since she started at her new school. But now there is another new girl in class. Ameena sees her brownness and her hijab, even though the other kids do not.
Ameena wants to be her friend, but she can't seem to find the right words or do the right things. Until one day, they find them together: "Assalamu Alaikum, Sister. Welcome."
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
From award-winning actress and mental-health advocate Taraji P. Henson, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) shows kids the great things that can happen when we approach others and ourselves with empathy, patience, and love.
In this debut picture book from Taraji P. Henson, quirky, stylish and a bit off-the-cuff Lil TJ is ready for her first day of school. But when she gets there, TJ finds that everything she does is a little different than everyone else and she's standing out in all the wrong ways. Once TJ's classmate Beau notices, he relentlessly teases her. TJ is filled with anxiety and doubt until she recalls some important words of wisdom from her Grandma Patsy. When she looks inside to her own creativity and personality, she figures out how to help herself make new friends! --and helps someone else too!
You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) is the perfect read for:
Easing back-to-school jitters and setting a course for the new school year
Helping children ages 4-8 to overcome anxieties and embrace what makes them unique
Classroom and library story time, as well as bedtime reading
Promoting mental wellness and learning socialization skills, embracing the importance of standing in their own uniqueness, and promoting friendship over bullying.
Includes author's note with references for parents and teachers.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
From Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author Meg Medina comes the bittersweet story of two girls who will always be each other's número uno, even though one is moving away.
A big truck with its mouth wide open is parked at the curb, ready to gobble up Evelyn's mirror with the stickers around the edge . . . and the sofa that we bounce on to get to the moon.
Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today--not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it's time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina's beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez's colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls' urban neighborhood.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.
Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer When We Are Kind in two accessible editions. The audiobook features alternate text descriptions of images, including the cover. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better, wondering: What does it mean to be kind?
From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a difference--or at least help a friend.
With a gentle text from the award-winning author of Sophie's Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller, and irresistible art from Jen Hill, Be Kind is an unforgettable story about how two simple words can change the world.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
This simple yet powerful picture book--from a New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife team--tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom!
Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.
FIND IT HERE: BOOKSHOP
MORE PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT KINDNESS IN OUR BOOKSHOP
Looking for more great read aloud ideas? Visit these fabulous book lists:
Join our community of BOOK LOVERS to get book news delivered to your inbox.
