Empathy and compassion are foundational skills for building strong, healthy relationships and creating a more inclusive world. Teaching children to recognize and respect the feelings of others is a lifelong gift, and picture books are a powerful way to nurture these qualities from an early age. Through compelling stories, engaging illustrations, and relatable characters, these books help children step into someone else’s shoes, understand different perspectives, and practice acts of kindness in their daily lives.
This collection of books centers on fostering empathy and compassion in children. Each story offers a unique lens into the lives of characters facing challenges, celebrating differences, or experiencing the transformative power of kindness. Whether it’s through the quiet support of a friend, the discovery of a shared experience, or a simple gesture of inclusion, these books provide practical and heartfelt lessons that resonate with children and adults alike.
By sharing these stories, we can open the door to meaningful conversations with children about how they can make the world a better place—one kind word, thoughtful action, or empathetic connection at a time.
For some of these books, I have created interactive read-alouds to enrich their use in the classroom. These interactive read-alouds include discussion questions, activities, and prompts that engage students and deepen their understanding of the book’s themes. More interactive read-alouds are on the way. If there are specific books for which you would like to see a read-aloud created, please contact me using the form at the bottom of the page.
To learn more about supporting social-emotional learning and using interactive read-alouds in the classroom, check out these posts:
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Summary: A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams is a poignant story about the strength of empathy, compassion, and community. After a fire destroys their home, a young girl, her mother, and her grandmother rebuild their lives with the help of kind neighbors who donate furniture and essentials. However, the family longs for a soft, comfortable chair where they can relax together. Through teamwork and careful saving, they fill a jar with coins to buy the perfect chair, highlighting how love and support can transform hardships into hope. This Caldecott Honor book is a touching celebration of family, resilience, and the power of generosity.
Description: This timeless picture book offers a beautiful lens through which to explore the themes of empathy and compassion. Vera B. Williams uses the family’s journey to showcase how kindness and support can uplift those facing adversity. Friends and neighbors rally around the family after their devastating fire, providing essential items to help them rebuild. The family, in turn, demonstrates empathy toward one another by working together to achieve their shared dream of a comfortable chair.
The vibrant, folk art-inspired illustrations capture the warmth of the story, from the donated furniture to the joyous day when they finally find their new chair. This narrative serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life. A Chair for My Mother is a powerful tool for teaching children the value of giving, understanding, and standing together as a community.
Reviews and Considerations: A Chair for My Mother is widely praised for its ability to cultivate empathy and compassion in young readers. It’s often used in classrooms and homes to inspire conversations about supporting others during difficult times. The story encourages children to reflect on the importance of understanding and helping those in need, emphasizing how collective kindness can transform lives.
Teachers and parents frequently highlight the book’s unique ability to connect with children through its relatable story and heartfelt illustrations. Its message resonates particularly well with children learning about generosity, perseverance, and gratitude. The story serves as a gentle yet profound reminder that compassion can be shown not just in grand gestures but in everyday acts of care and support.
Summary: Listening With My Heart by Gabi Garcia is a gentle and empowering story about the importance of showing kindness and compassion not only to others but also to ourselves. The story follows Esperanza, who finds a heart-shaped rock and is inspired to spread kindness to those around her. However, when things don’t go as planned during the school play, she learns the equally valuable lesson of self-compassion—treating herself with the same kindness and understanding she extends to others. This heartwarming book fosters empathy, emotional resilience, and the crucial skill of self-kindness, helping children navigate challenges with a growth mindset.
Description: Through Esperanza’s journey, Listening With My Heart provides a beautiful framework for teaching children about empathy and compassion in a holistic way. The book emphasizes not only the importance of kindness toward others but also the often-overlooked need for self-compassion. When Esperanza faces disappointment, she learns that being understanding and gentle with herself is just as important as being kind to her friends.
This story encourages children to view mistakes and setbacks as opportunities for growth. The diverse and relatable characters make it easy for young readers to connect with the story, and the inclusion of mindfulness and self-compassion activities at the end of the book provides practical tools to reinforce the lessons learned. The illustrations add warmth and depth to the narrative, making this book a powerful addition to any social-emotional learning collection.
Reviews and Considerations: Listening With My Heart has been celebrated by parents, educators, and counselors for its unique focus on self-compassion. While many children’s books address kindness toward others, this story stands out by teaching children the equally important skill of treating themselves with empathy and understanding. Readers praise the book’s ability to foster emotional resilience and provide a positive framework for handling mistakes, disappointment, and self-doubt.
The activities at the end of the book, such as mindfulness exercises and prompts for self-reflection, are a valuable resource for helping children internalize the message. Many reviewers note that the book resonates not just with young readers but also with adults, making it a meaningful resource for teaching and modeling self-kindness at any age.
Whether used in a classroom, therapy session, or home setting, Listening With My Heart offers children a profound and accessible lesson in empathy, compassion, and the transformative power of being kind to oneself.
Summary: How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham is a tender and visually engaging story about a young boy named Will who notices a bird with a broken wing on a bustling city street. While others rush past, Will stops, gently picks up the bird, and takes it home with the help of his compassionate mother. Through patience, care, and kindness, the family nurses the bird back to health and sets it free, offering a heartfelt lesson about empathy, hope, and the quiet power of noticing and caring for those in need.
Description: In How to Heal a Broken Wing, Bob Graham masterfully conveys the importance of empathy and compassion with sparse text and poignant illustrations. The story follows Will, a young boy whose act of kindness contrasts sharply with the hurried indifference of the city crowd. His quiet determination and his family’s support highlight how small, intentional acts of care can make a significant difference.
The illustrations use a comic-book style to tell much of the story, allowing readers to interpret the emotions and actions of the characters. This makes the book an excellent tool for prompting discussions about empathy, responsibility, and the value of caring for others—both human and animal. The subtle progression from the muted tones of the bustling city to the brighter, hopeful colors as the bird heals underscores the transformative power of kindness.
This book is perfect for young readers and classrooms, inspiring them to notice and act when they see someone—or something—in need.
Reviews and Considerations: How to Heal a Broken Wing has received praise for its ability to teach empathy and kindness through a simple yet profound story. Readers have highlighted its potential to spark conversations about the importance of helping those who might otherwise be overlooked. Educators often use it to introduce themes of compassion and social awareness, making it a favorite for lessons on emotional intelligence.
Many reviewers appreciate the minimal text, which invites children to engage deeply with the illustrations and imagine the story themselves. This can foster meaningful discussions about why Will noticed the bird when no one else did and what it means to care for others selflessly.
This book is particularly suited for children ages 3 to 8, although its message resonates with readers of all ages. Parents, teachers, and caregivers will find it a valuable resource for nurturing compassion and encouraging children to look beyond their own world to notice and care for others.
Summary: The Teddy Bear by David McPhail is a poignant and heartfelt story about a young boy and his beloved teddy bear. The boy loses his treasured companion one day, and the bear ends up with a homeless man who cherishes it just as deeply. When their paths cross again in the park, the boy must make a difficult choice—keep his beloved bear or let it stay with the man who has found solace in its presence. This tale beautifully conveys themes of compassion, selflessness, and the joy of spreading kindness.
Description: David McPhail’s The Teddy Bear masterfully explores empathy and compassion through the eyes of a young boy and his connection to his teddy bear. The story begins with the boy and his bear sharing a life filled with love and routine. When the bear is accidentally left behind, it finds its way into the pocket of a lonely homeless man who treasures it as his only companion.
When the boy spots his teddy bear in the park, the emotional crossroads of the story begins. The boy’s ultimate decision to let the man keep the bear demonstrates a profound act of empathy and kindness, teaching readers that giving to others, even when it’s hard, can bring joy and healing to everyone involved.
McPhail’s gentle illustrations perfectly capture the emotional depth of the story, from the loneliness of the bear and the homeless man to the bittersweet connection between all three characters. The narrative fosters meaningful conversations about privilege, compassion, and making sacrifices to help others.
Reviews and Considerations: The Teddy Bear has been widely praised for its ability to teach children about compassion, generosity, and understanding the needs of others. Educators and caregivers appreciate how the story offers opportunities to discuss difficult topics like homelessness, loss, and selflessness in a way that feels approachable and non-preachy.
Many readers have noted the book’s emotional impact, often describing it as a “tearjerker” that leaves both children and adults reflecting on the power of empathy. The story’s gentle pacing and relatable characters make it a perfect choice for children ages 4 to 8, but its themes resonate with all ages. Teachers frequently use the book to encourage discussions about kindness, sharing, and considering the feelings of others. Its ability to evoke empathy makes it a valuable addition to any classroom or home library.
Summary: Understand and Care introduces children to the concept of empathy and helps them learn how to recognize and respond to the feelings of others. Through clear examples, the book shows children how to identify emotions in themselves and others and provides actionable ways to show kindness and understanding. It encourages children to take steps like sitting with someone who is lonely or offering a listening ear, fostering a sense of compassion and community.
Description: This book is more of a teaching tool than a traditional storybook, providing concrete lessons on empathy in simple, accessible language. The illustrations depict a diverse cast of children experiencing relatable situations, making the material engaging and easy to understand. The book also includes an adult-focused section with discussion questions, games, and activities to reinforce the lessons about empathy and caring. As part of the Learning to Get Along® series, Understand and Care is designed for both home and classroom use, particularly in early education or special education settings.
Reviews and Considerations:
Readers commend Understand and Care for its straightforward approach to teaching empathy and its focus on fostering emotional intelligence in young children. Parents of children with delayed social skills or autism spectrum disorder find the book particularly helpful, as it offers a structured way to explore emotions and practice social skills. The discussion prompts and activities are often highlighted as useful extensions to the book’s content, making it a versatile resource for teaching empathy.
Some reviewers note that the book is best suited for younger children, such as preschool or early elementary-aged readers. While older children may find the material too simplistic, the concrete examples and diverse illustrations are widely praised for their ability to make empathy relatable. Educators and caregivers appreciate the practical guidance the book provides and its potential to encourage meaningful conversations about kindness and understanding.
Summary: We’re All Wonders introduces young readers to Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences who longs to be seen and accepted for who he truly is. Through Auggie’s perspective, the story conveys the importance of kindness and empathy, encouraging children to see beyond appearances and celebrate what makes everyone unique. With its simple language and heartfelt message, the book inspires young readers to “choose kind” and embrace diversity.
Description: This beautifully illustrated picture book by R.J. Palacio adapts the themes of her acclaimed novel Wonder for a younger audience. The story uses Auggie’s experiences to teach children about inclusion and the power of small acts of kindness. The vivid illustrations and relatable text make it accessible for early elementary students, while the underlying message about acceptance resonates with readers of all ages. Whether used as a standalone story or paired with Wonder, We’re All Wonders is an excellent resource for fostering empathy and compassion in children.
Reviews and Considerations: We’re All Wonders has received widespread praise for its ability to simplify complex themes of empathy, diversity, and kindness for younger audiences. Parents and educators commend the book as a valuable tool for starting conversations about inclusivity and treating others with respect. Many readers appreciate how the story encourages children to look beyond surface differences and find the “wonder” in everyone.
Some reviews highlight the book’s straightforward narrative, making it an ideal introduction to the themes explored in Wonder for younger children. However, a few readers mentioned that they would have liked more examples of differences and inclusivity in the text. Despite this, the book’s overall message and illustrations continue to make it a cherished addition to classrooms and home libraries.
Summary: A Map into the World follows Paj Ntaub, a young Hmong girl, as she adjusts to life in a new home and encounters both joyful and difficult moments. Through the seasons, she welcomes twin brothers, experiences the beauty of nature, and forms a connection with her elderly neighbors. When tragedy strikes, Paj Ntaub finds a way to share hope and compassion, creating a map for a grieving neighbor to find his way back into the world.
Description: Written by Kao Kalia Yang, A Map into the World is a poetic and reflective story that blends themes of love, loss, and connection. Paj Ntaub’s journey highlights her sensitivity and capacity for empathy, making her a gentle guide for readers navigating big emotions. The inclusion of Hmong cultural elements, like a story cloth representing her family’s journey to America, adds depth and an opportunity for cultural learning. Illustrated by Seo Kim, the book’s art captures the changing seasons and emotional nuances, enhancing the story’s contemplative tone. This heartfelt story emphasizes the importance of noticing, caring, and finding beauty in both small and significant moments.
Reviews and Considerations: Readers and educators praise A Map into the World for its tender depiction of grief and connection through a child’s perspective. The story resonates with children and adults alike, fostering discussions about empathy, community, and cultural identity. Parents appreciate how Paj Ntaub models ways to comfort others with simple but meaningful gestures.
Some reviewers highlight the book’s slower pace and reflective tone, noting that it may be better suited for older children or those accustomed to more introspective stories. A few also wished for more exploration of Hmong culture, though the narrative’s universal themes make it accessible to a wide audience. Despite these minor critiques, A Map into the World is celebrated as a profound and visually stunning addition to social-emotional and multicultural literature.
Summary: In Stand In My Shoes, young Emily learns the meaning of empathy from her older sister. Through relatable examples and heartfelt conversations, Emily begins to notice the feelings of those around her. The story teaches children how understanding others’ emotions can improve relationships and bring kindness into everyday interactions.
Description: Bob Samson’s Stand In My Shoes introduces young readers to the concept of empathy in an approachable and practical way. Emily’s journey of discovery highlights simple yet powerful ways children can notice and respond to others’ feelings. With relatable characters and a conversational tone, the book encourages readers to consider how their actions affect others. Designed to appeal to children and parents alike, this book serves as both a learning tool and a conversation starter about emotional awareness and kindness.
Reviews and Considerations: Readers appreciate Stand In My Shoes for its clear and straightforward approach to teaching empathy. Parents and educators note that the book resonates with young children, including preschoolers and kindergarteners, by presenting empathy in ways they can easily understand and apply. Several reviewers share how the story led to meaningful discussions about feelings and relationships within their families and classrooms.
The illustrations and accessible language engage even younger readers, with one grandparent mentioning how a three-year-old stayed captivated throughout the reading. However, some adults may find the book’s simplicity more suitable for younger audiences, as the examples are tailored to early elementary learners. Overall, Stand In My Shoes is praised as a valuable resource for fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in children.
Summary: Teach Your Dragon Empathy is a fun, rhyming story about a young boy teaching his pet dragon how to understand and care about others’ feelings. The book uses relatable scenarios and playful illustrations to show how the dragon learns to recognize emotions, consider others’ perspectives, and respond with kindness. It provides young readers with practical examples of how to develop empathy in everyday situations.
Description: Written by Steve Herman, Teach Your Dragon Empathy is part of the popular My Dragon Books series, which uses the whimsical concept of a pet dragon to teach social-emotional skills. This installment focuses on empathy, showing how even the most mischievous dragon can learn to care about others. The story’s rhyming format and bright, engaging illustrations make it an enjoyable read for children while also imparting valuable lessons. Parents, educators, and counselors will find it to be an accessible tool for sparking conversations about emotions, kindness, and relationships.
Reviews and Considerations: Many parents and educators praise the book for its ability to simplify the concept of empathy for young children. Reviews highlight its effectiveness with a wide range of learners, including those with autism, ADHD, and emotional challenges. The rhyming text and relatable examples make it especially appealing to younger readers, while the vibrant illustrations capture their attention.
Several reviewers noted that the book fosters meaningful discussions about emotions and how actions can affect others. For parents, it serves as a helpful resource for introducing empathy in a playful yet impactful way. Educators commend the book for its versatility in classroom and counseling settings, with some using it for bibliotherapy.
A few readers mentioned that the storyline is straightforward, which works well for young children but may not provide as much depth for older readers. However, its simplicity is seen as a strength for introducing foundational social-emotional concepts. Overall, Teach Your Dragon Empathy is celebrated as an engaging and effective tool for teaching kindness and understanding.
Summary: The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig tells the story of Brian, a quiet and often overlooked child who feels “invisible” among his peers. Brian’s world begins to change when a new student, Justin, joins the class, and Brian reaches out with a small act of kindness. Through their growing friendship and a collaborative class project, Brian discovers the power of being noticed and valued. The story highlights how small gestures of kindness can help others feel included and appreciated.
Description: This book offers a compassionate and relatable look at the struggles of quieter children who may feel unnoticed in group settings. The story is beautifully paired with Patrice Barton’s illustrations, where Brian is initially shown in muted tones to represent his feelings of invisibility. As he begins to connect with others, he gradually becomes vibrant and colorful, symbolizing his journey toward belonging. The Invisible Boy serves as a gentle introduction to the importance of inclusion, empathy, and friendship, making it a valuable resource for classrooms, libraries, and families.
Reviews and Considerations: Readers praise The Invisible Boy for its poignant portrayal of loneliness and the transformative power of kindness. Parents, teachers, and counselors appreciate its ability to open up meaningful conversations about empathy, inclusion, and noticing others who might feel left out. Educators often use the book as a tool for fostering social-emotional learning, emphasizing the importance of small but impactful acts of kindness.
The symbolic use of color in the illustrations is frequently noted as a standout feature, sparking discussions about how Brian’s feelings evolve throughout the story. Reviewers describe the book as relatable for children and engaging in its storytelling, with many readers noting emotional responses from both kids and adults.
Some readers highlight that younger children might need guidance to understand that Brian is not literally invisible, as the metaphor might be abstract for certain age groups. Overall, The Invisible Boy is celebrated for its thoughtful message, heartwarming narrative, and beautiful illustrations, making it a timeless addition to any social-emotional learning toolkit.
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