Kindness and Compassion Children's Stories
Explore themes of family, self-acceptance, friendship, identity, kindness, and more with inclusive and diverse stories that build empathy.
Amy Wu and the warm welcome
Zhang, Kat, 1991- author
2022
Amy Wu would love to welcome the new student in her class, but Lin has just come from China and does not speak much English, so with the help of her family Amy tries to work out a way to bridge the language gap.
Awâsis and the world-famous bannock
Hunt, Dallas, 1987- author
2018
As young Awâsis searches for the ingredients to make Kohkum's world-famous bannock recipe, they run into a variety of other-than-human relatives that help them along in their journey. Includes a pronunciation guide and Kohkum's world-famous bannock recipe at the back of the book.
Beautifully me
Noor, Nabela, author
2021
Zubi, a happy Bangladeshi girl, is excited about her first day of school, but at breakfast she is puzzled by her mother and older sister worrying about being "too big," and even at school she hears other people criticizing each other's bodies, and she starts to worry that maybe something is wrong with how she looks--until her declaration at dinner that she is on a diet makes her family realize what they have been doing wrong.
The buddy bench
Cottleston, B. D., author
2019
During a snowy day, a young boy goes outside for recess and thinks he's alone until he spots another student sitting on the school's Buddy Bench, as they talk and play together in the snow and become friends.
Change sings : a children's anthem
Gorman, Amanda, 1998- author
2021
As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves.
The girl who ran : Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon
Poletti, Frances, author
2017
How to change the world in 12 easy steps : inspired by the life lessons of Eva Mozes Kor
Tierney, Peggy, author
2021
This book "was inspired by Eva Kor, a child survivor of Auschwitz. She always stressed to young audiences that even though a child, they had the power to change the world. Easy, simple gestures-- from picking up a piece of trash on the sidewalk, tidying a bedroom, accepting someone who is different, [and] other gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness--can make a big difference".
I am every good thing
Barnes, Derrick, author
2020
Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.
I believe I can
Byers, Grace, 1984- author
2020
From the New York Times bestselling creators of I Am Enough comes an empowering follow-up that celebrates every child's limitless potential. I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves.
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan, 1978- author
2020
When a child has a "bad speech day" at school, his father gives him a new perspective on his stuttering.
The kindest red : a story of hijab and friendship
Muhammad, Ibtihaj, 1985- author
2023
Sisters Faizah and Asiyah learn how to spread kindness on school picture day.
Mrs. Katz and Tush
Polacco, Patricia
1992
A long-lasting friendship develops between Larnel, a young African-American, and Mrs. Katz, a lonely, Jewish widow, when Larnel presents Mrs. Katz with a scrawny kitten without a tail.
My family and other families : finding the power in our differences
Edwards-Middleton, Richard, author
2022
My Family and Other Families is a funny and heartwarming tale about friends, family and Ferris wheels, and shows a world where there are all kinds of families that are all equal. Liam has just one thing on his mind- making it to the ferris wheel to use his ticket. There's just time to check out the rest of the funfair, where his friends are playing games, munching popcorn, and going on rides with their families. But when Liam's ferris wheel ticket goes missing, it's a race against time for him and his friends to find it. Will they make it? A book for every family, this story gently shows children that it is wonderfully normal for every family to be different from our own and that the things that set us apart can bring us closer.
Sing to the stars
Barrett, Mary Brigid.
1994
When Ephram becomes friends with a blind man in his neighborhood and finds out that Mr. Washington was a famous pianist who hasn't touched a piano for a long time, he resolves to get the man back on stage.
A walk in the words
Talbott, Hudson, author
2021
"Through a story from his own childhood, Hudson Talbott shares the challenges--and ultimately the rewards--of being a non-mainstream kind of learner."-- Provided by publisher.
When we are kind
Gray Smith, Monique, 1968- author
2020
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.
You matter
Robinson, Christian, author, illustrator
2020
Illustrations and easy-to-read text remind the reader that no matter what happens or how one feels, he or she matters.
Your name is a song
Thompkins-Bigelow, Jamilah, author
2020
Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl's mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their walk home through the city.