Picture books have a magical way of opening hearts and minds. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or caregiver, these stories help children explore emotions, build empathy, and understand the power of kindness.

This collection supports social-emotional learning (SEL) through engaging narratives and beautiful, age-appropriate illustrations. 

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Kindness Bookmarks - A Creative Group Challenge

Every child loves a fun bookmark, but these are so much more than placeholders. This printable set turns coloring time into a kindness mission, inviting students to reflect on meaningful messages as they take a mindful moment of creativity.

What makes this activity unforgettable is the secret challenge: once their bookmarks are complete, students sneak off on a covert mission to hide them in the school library for others to discover. It’s a playful way to spread kindness that feels special, a little cheeky, and very rewarding.

Teachers tell us it’s one of those activities kids beg to repeat. It’s a beautiful way to build connection, empathy, and joy in your classroom.

Books about Kindness & Generosity

These stories celebrate the joy of giving, sharing, and helping others.
Perfect for building a classroom culture of care and compassion.

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Halle and Tiger with Their Bucketfilling Family

My Very Own Bucket Filling from A to Z Coloring Book

365 Days of Wonder - Mr Browne's Precepts

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My Bucketfilling Journal - 30 Days to a Happier Life

Learn How to Be Kind: Workbook for Kids 4-6 Years Old

Kindness Starts with You at School

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A Sick Day for Amos McGee

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Each Kindness

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Miss Rumphius

The Hundred Dresses

Make this Popular Kindness Quilt as a Daily Reminder of the Positive and Inclusive Behavior You Expect in Your Classroom!

Books about Feelings & Emotions

Big feelings can be tricky! These titles help kids name, understand, and express emotions in healthy, empowering ways.

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The Way I Feel

Talking About Feelings: A book to assist adults in helping children unpack, understand and manage their feelings and emotions

Talking About Feelings: A book to assist adults in helping children unpack, understand and manage their feelings and emotions

The Color Monster

The Worst Day of My Life Ever!: My Story About Listening and Following Instructions ... or Not!

How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?: A book to help children manage and overcome anxiety, anxious thoughts, stress and fearful situations 

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Glad Monster, Sad Monster - A Book About Feelings

I’m Happy-Sad Today: Making Sense of Mixed-Together Feelings

My Many Colored Days

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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Resilience: A book to encourage resilience, persistence and to help children bounce back from challenges and adversity

Ellie and Her Emotional Dragons

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Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods that Make my Day

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Llama Llama Mad at Mama

Understanding Myself: A Kid's Guide to Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings

Ellie and Her Emotional Dragons

Teach Students Skills to Manage Emotions so They're Capable of Responding with Kindness Instead of Frustration

Books about Empathy & Compassion

Help children walk in someone else’s shoes. These books foster emotional awareness and respectful curiosity about others’ experiences.

Book: You, Me And Empathy: Teaching Children About Empathy, Feelings, Kindness, Compassion, Tolerance And Recognising Bullying Behaviours

You, Me and Empathy: Teaching children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance and recognizing bullying behaviors

Be the Difference: 40+ ideas for kids to create positive change using empathy, kindness, equality and environmental awareness

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Tight Times

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Wonder

A Little SPOT of Empathy: A Story about Understanding and Kindness

I Am Love: A Book of Compassion

The Invisible Boy

Better Than You

I am Human: A Book of Empathy

Empathy is Your Super Power: A Book About Understanding the Feelings of Others

Notes from the Dog

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Hey, Little Ant

An Empathy Story with Lessons That Help Students Uncover Invisible Feelings!

Books about Honesty, Respect & Bullying

These books offer gentle guidance on recognizing bullying, speaking up, and supporting peers with courage and empathy.

The Bad Seed

What If Everybody Did That?

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big

Boy Who Cried Wolf: The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a Classic Fairy Tale About Stewardship & Honesty

The Way I Act

My Secret Bully

My Mouth Is A Volcano: A Picture Book About Interrupting

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Enemy Pie

The Hundred Dresses

Stick And Stone: Best Friends Forever!

Jake Drake Bully Buster

The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others

The Enemy Pie Book & Activity Pack is Another Powerful Way to Demonstrate the Power of Kindness 

Books about Friendship, Fairness & Inclusion

Celebrate connection, belonging, and the beauty of diverse friendships. These stories encourage kindness, cooperation, and acceptance.

Stick And Stone: Best Friends Forever!

The Invisible Boy

Wishtree

Where Oliver Fits

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Enemy Pie

What to Do When It's Not Fair: A Kid's Guide to Handling Envy and Jealousy (What-to-Do Guides for Kids)

Lubna and Pebble

The Other Side Picture Book A Story Of Friendship

Stone Soup

One Grain of Rice

Little Witch Hazel

The Name Jar

New Shoes

Amazing Grace

Turn Anxiety into Confidence with This Fun Fortune Teller!

Books about Body Safety

These empowering stories help children understand personal boundaries, body autonomy, and the importance of speaking up. They support conversations about safety, trust, and respect.

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Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept

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No Means No!: Teaching personal boundaries, consent; empowering children by respecting their choices and right to say 'no!'

Give Students in K-1st Simple Ways to Cope with Big Feelings!

Character Building Books for Teens & Adults

These books offer inspiration and insight for older readers—perfect for modeling kindness, resilience, and emotional intelligence in everyday life.

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Dear Bully

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The Five Side Effects of Kindness: This Book Will Make You Feel Better, Be Happier & Live Longer

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Preteens

Why Woo-Woo Works: The Surprising Science Behind Meditation, Reiki, Crystals, and Other Alternative Practices

UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

https://amzn.to/3FTtXvl

Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life

How Full is Your Bucket Educator's Edition

A Passion for Kindness: Making the World a Better Place to Lead, Love, and Learn

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Teens

Kindness on a Budget

Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine

Teaching Kids to Be Kind: A Guide to Raising Compassionate and Caring Children

Happy Teachers Change the World: A Guide for Cultivating Mindfulness in Education

How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for School and Life: Young Reader's Edition

Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness

Pay It Forward

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How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for School and Life: Young Reader's Edition

Kindness Wins: A Simple, No-Nonsense Guide To Teaching Our Kids To Be Kind Online.

Kindness Wins: A Simple, No-nonsense Guide to Teaching our Kids to be Kind Online.

99 Ways to Be Kind: A Trans Fat, Gluten Free Guide to Nourishing Your Soul

The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness: 101 Stories of Compassion and Paying It Forward

Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness

Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition

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What's Under Your Cape

Why Kindness is Good for You

The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students

Daily Acts of Kindness Journal: A Journal to Inspire Connection and Joy

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