Books, Current Events

13 Wonderful Books About Kindness: Picture Books and More

As I mentioned in my Sunday Scribblings post for this week’s events, February 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Day. So what better way (for me) to celebrate it than with wonderful books about kindness (of course, this is in addition to those actual random acts of kindnesses we can do, today, tomorrow, and everyday!)

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Today’s post includes picture books, books for teens, and adults too. Well, books about kindness for all ages actually. I hope you find a book or two that you will pick for yourself or for someone else from this list of

13 Wonderful Books About Kindness

100 Ways to be Kind

100 Ways to Be Kind: Everyday actions to change your life and save the world by Theresa Cheung (Thanks to Netgalley for the digital review copy of the book)

Description: 100 Ways to be Kind is a road map of practical, simple and immediately actionable ways to be kind including how to be kinder to yourself, to others and to nature.

My Quick Thoughts: While quite a few of the ideas in this book might seem obvious or maybe things we already do, it is a nice reminder to keep with us and also gives us inspiration and ideas we didn’t already have. Plus, the research behind kindness and the ways to be kind was interesting to read by itself!

Be Kind

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller with art by Jen Hill (3 – 6 years, and up)

Description: 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?

My Quick Thoughts: I mention this book earlier in my blog here, and like I said there, it is indeed a sweet read showing us how we can be kind by doing even little actions, and that they all matter and help.

Because of Mr. Terupt

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (9 – 11 years, and up)

Description: Seven students are about to have their lives changed by one amazing teacher in this school story filled with unique characters every reader can relate to.

My Quick Thoughts: I discovered this book when I went looking for books about kindness a few days ago, and so very thankful I did. That tugging at heartstrings feel never stops as you read this one, and you keep smiling at random intervals too.

Count Me In

Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj

Description: An uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism.

My Quick Thoughts: I am reading this one still, but I already know that Varsha Bajaj’s books are definitely going to get added on my must-read automatically. (I have Bajaj’s Thirst on my list as well)

It’s Ok

It’s OK: Being Kind to Yourself When Things Feel Hard by Wendy O’ Leary and illustated by Sandra Eide with afterword from Christopher Germer (3 – 7 years, and up) (Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital review copy of the book)

Description: This sweet book teaches children the simple and profound power of self-compassion through simple affirmations that can be repeated when things are hard.

My Quick Thoughts: This one is all about loving ourselves, to let go, to forgive, to smile, and compliment, and a million other things – to show those those little kindnesses to ourselves each and everyday

Just Mercy

Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson

Description: In this very personal work–adapted from the original #1 bestseller, which the New York Times calls “as compelling as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so”–acclaimed lawyer and social justice advocate Bryan Stevenson offers a glimpse into the lives of the wrongfully imprisoned and his efforts to fight for their freedom.

My Quick Thoughts: I mention this book here, and while I never ended up giving a more detailed comparative review like I thought then, what little I said holds true. Powerful, powerful read!!

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson and Fumi Kosaka (5 – 8 years, and up)

Description: Can one child’s good deed change the world? It can when she’s Ordinary Mary―an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house―who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world.

My Quick Thoughts: I simply adore books like this; the ones where the impact of one action is felt everywhere!

Mockingbird

Mockingbird by by Kathryn Erskine (10 – 12 years, and up)

Description: In Caitlin’s world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That’s the stuff Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon’s dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s, she doesn’t know how.

My Quick Thoughts: Keep your tissues handy as you read this book.

The Path to Kindness

The Path to Kindness: Poems of Connection and Joy compiled by James Crews

Description: This book offers more than 100 deeply felt and relatable poems from a diverse range of voices including well-known writers, as well as new and emerging voices

My Quick Thoughts: I love Crews’ books, and each one is beautiful, giftable, and to be cherished indeed. Read my review of this book here.

Step Right Up

Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman and illustrated by Daniel Minter (8 – 11 years, and up)

Description: Step Right Up is the inspiring story of one man and one horse who showed the world the power of kindness

My Quick Thoughts: An amazing true story that I had not known about until this book, and a truly inspiring biography! Stunning illustrations, a moving narrative, and excellent backmatter make it a must-read. This story shows us how kindness and determination can help us overcome obstacles of all kinds!

Superbuns!

Superbuns!: Kindness Is Her Superpower by Diane Kredensor (4 – 8 years, and up)

Description: Some superheroes can leap tall buildings in a single bound, some can crawl up a wall, some grow wolf-sharp claws, and some have superhuman speed. And Superbuns? Her superpower is being kind. Super kind.

My Quick Thoughts: That title, and that bunny, and her superpower!! This one is adorable through and through, and shows how awesome of a trait kindness is!! So let us go be a superhero today, all we need to do is one simple act of kindness!

The War For Kindness

The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World by Jamil Zaki

Description: In this groundbreaking book, Jamil Zaki shares cutting-edge research, including experiments from his own lab, showing that empathy is not a fixed trait—something we’re born with or not—but rather a skill that can be strengthened through effort

My Quick Thoughts: A book I have only just begun, and one I feel is going to wow me somehow.

White Bird: A Wonder Story

White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel) by R. J. Palacio (10+ years)

Description: In R. J. Palacio’s bestselling collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian’s grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère’s heartrending story: how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.

My Quick Thoughts: WWII, graphic novel, a Wonder connection! Of course, I had to check this one out. And verdict: read it!! Plus, read it before you watch the movie.

Related Reads and More Wonderful Books About Kindness

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, have you read any of these books? Your thoughts on them (and on them in this list)? As always, I welcome all your thoughts and recommendations for books about kindness.

For Thursday Thirteen….Join us and check out more 13 lists…

hands holding a heart; and pin title 13 Wonderful Books About Kindness: Picture Books and More

18 thoughts on “13 Wonderful Books About Kindness: Picture Books and More

  1. Now the Grateful Dead song Uncle John’s Band is running through my head: Well the first days are the hardest days, don’t you worry any more
    ‘Cause when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door
    Think this through with me, let me know your mind
    Woah-oh, what I want to know, is are you kind?

  2. I loved your recommendation for the picture book “Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller and Jen Hill. What a heartwarming story about small acts of kindness and compassion. I think this book would be great for my niece who could benefit from learning about being kind.

  3. I’ll have to look into these titles. Books about kindness are incredibly valuable as they remind us of the importance of compassion, empathy, and understanding in our interactions with others. These books serve as a gentle nudge to always choose kindness, and to be the light in someone else’s day.

  4. What a wonderful collection of books! I’ve always believed in the power of literature to not only provide escape but also to educate and inspire.

  5. I really love the theme of these books. You have a great selection there. I think my nephew will enjoy reading Super Buns. That sounds like a fun book.

  6. So many great books here for sure! I am inn love with the Be Kind book and a few others too. I always love your book suggestions!

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