Kindness

Picture Books Library < Positive Qualities < Kindness

Picture books about Kindness from the Little Parachutes reviews library

These children's picture books contain characters which show kindness, or contain messages that encourage children to be kind to others.

Medieval Mashup: Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures

In this charming picture book, a group of children (including Leigh, a wheelchair user) work together to support each other to make costumes for a school event. Leigh is struggling with feelings of self-consciousness and frustration, but he successfully overcomes this.

The Invisible Boy

This beautiful book promotes inclusivity and empathy, encouraging children to 'leave no-one behind' in friendship groups and to consider other people's feelings.

Those Shoes

A brilliant book that puts the reader in the shoes of a child in poverty, acknowledging the frustration and sense of injustice a child feels when they can’t have the things their friends take for granted.

Squishy Sand

This engaging picture book features Leigh, a disabled child who uses a wheelchair. It highlights some of the everyday obstacles that wheelchair users have to cope with. A great choice for any child, reinforcing the importance of empathy, resilience, teamwork, kindness and creative thinking.

Hair Love

A positive story of how a father and daughter work together to create the perfect hairstyle for a very special day. There are many helpful messages within which could apply to a child who is dealing with an absent or ill parent, or who is simply finding it hard not to give up on a challenging task.

The Hospital Hoppities

This story gives a voice to children in long-term hospital care and normalises the hospital environment. It recognises how many selfless acts of kindness are performed in hospitals every day by staff, volunteers and the families of sick children. It also encourages children to be kind and helpful.

Through the Eyes of Me

A useful picture book to simply explain autism to children, it is a positive exploration of how a young girl with autism perceives the world.

The Day War Came

A haunting, emotional story of a young refugee, this picture book could be a springboard for a conversation about kindness and tolerance. Encourages empathy.

Ruby’s Worry

'A reassuring and sensitive book - the perfect springboard for talking to children about sharing their hidden worries no matter how big or small they may be'

The Memory Tree

'A celebration of life and memories that live on when a loved one dies'. This gentle and comforting book is a good choice for a child who has been affected by the loss of an elderly relative or friend.

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

A laugh-out-loud tale about friendship and learning to share, two squirrels squabble over one nut but ultimately put their differences aside and co-operate.

The Suitcase

This simple and powerful story about the arrival of a stranger could be a catalyst for exploring so many concepts and themes with young children: trust, curiosity, tolerance, hope, kindness, making amends, friendship, ‘doing the right thing’ and telling the truth to name just a few.

The Unstoppable Maggie McGee

A warm, positive reflection of the imagination, friendship and trust of children in long-term hospital care.

And Tango Makes Three

This classic picture book shows children that every family looks different and all family groups are equally valid and wonderful regardless of shape and size, colour or gender: love is all they need!

The Garden of Hope

A poignant yet positive story about a grieving daughter and father and how tending a garden together helps them to begin the healing process and find hope for the future.

The Tide

A warm, reassuring story which helps a child to understand the changes in a loved one who is living with dementia.

The Last Chip

Sharing this story with a child would be a good catalyst for a conversation about kindness and resilience. The Last Chip has important messages about the harmful effects of bullying and violence, and challenges negative stereotypes of homeless people and those in poverty.

Grandma

A comforting (yet realistic) story of the relationship between a young boy and his Grandma who has dementia. Beautifully illustrated and sensitively written, this would be a great choice for any child who has a loved one who is suffering from dementia or is going into a care home.

Kind

A beautiful picture book which explores and encourages kindness in many forms. It promotes sharing, acceptance, tolerance and empathy.

Benny’s Hat

A beautiful, sensitively written book that could be used to support and comfort children who have a seriously ill sibling or friend, or have experienced bereavement.

How to be a Lion

A brilliant and entertaining story with a strong and clear message: Don't be afraid to be yourself; embrace the differences in yourself and others.

What’s worrying you?

A great picture book to help children explore their worries. While it is normal to feel anxious now and then, when anxiety escalates and can't be controlled, sitting down with your child and reading this book together should help.

The Koala Who Could

An entertaining story that encourages children to try something new. Perfect for children who find change difficult.

Dogger

This is a charming story that addresses the loss of a special toy, and how a sibling's kindness saves the day. The book highlights the unique bond some children have with specific toys, and allows an adult reader to see the significance of such a toy through a child's eyes.

Mummy’s Home!

This book helps explain to children why a parent must sometimes temporarily leave their family in order to work; it acknowledges the challenges associated with having an absent parent, while remaining positive; the book provides the child with coping strategies to help them through a period of absence.

We’re All Wonders

This story shows how one child copes with his own differences, and other people’s reactions to them. The reader will find comfort in Auggie’s imaginative tactics, and his positivity about being able to change the way others see him.

Good Little Wolf

Although predominantly an entertaining story, this quirky picture book also explores the idea of being true to oneself and defying stereotypes. It reinforces the message that you don't need to 'go with the crowd' if the crowd's actions are not wise.

This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye

This entertaining book explores the idea of 'being different'. The central character has less conventional looks than his classmates, but the story reveals that his kindness and intelligence are more important than the way he looks. The book also has an anti-bullying message.

Help A Hamster: A Gentle Introduction To Adoption

Encourages children to think about adoption, blended families and attachment through the parallel stories of the little boy Alfie, whose mother gave him up for adoption, and the baby hamster, Alfonzo, who is rejected by his mother and litter-mates.

The Great Big Book of Feelings

A child struggling with negative emotions may find great comfort in this sympathetic, entertaining and reassuring book which explores many different feelings: happy, sad, excited, bored, interested, angry, upset, calm, silly, lonely, scared, safe, embarrassed, shy, confident, worried, jealous and satisfied.

Eeeek, Mouse!

This book may help a child who is frightened of mice to see a less threatening side to them.

Sophie’s Masterpiece

May encourage a child who is frightened of spiders to look more favourably upon these fascinating creatures. The book also reflects the ageing process, and may strike a chord with a child who has lost an elderly relative. Additionally, it has underlying themes of tolerance and acceptance.

Emily Brown and the Thing

In this lovely book the tables are turned (the little girl is comforting a frightened monster, who is not at all scary). This may neutralise a child's fear of monsters.

The Happy Book

A great starting point for talking about both positive and negative feelings with very young children. This book may gently encourage co-operation and good behaviour.

Off to School in my Wheelie Chair

A light-hearted and engaging picture book that focusses on a young boy’s journey to school in his manual wheelchair. The story gives a very positive view of wheelchair use, emphasising that it can be fast and fun, while at the same time making the reader more aware of the challenges and obstacles that wheelchair users face each day. Promotes resilience, kindness and acceptance.

Many Ways To Share A Hug

A free e-book for children that explains some of the temporary changes to ordinary life due to Coronavirus. A great choice for children missing hugs and close contact.

Happy: A Children’s Book of Mindfulness

A comforting book which introduces mindfulness practice in a accessible way.

Harrison Spader, Personal Space Invader

This book discusses the importance of considering other's personal space, and offers practical tips for "personal space invaders".

The Lion Inside

A delightful story showing that everyone feels scared sometimes. Great for encouraging children to find their own voice.

The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel

The Frog in the story learns that doing simple festive activities with a friend can be as much (if not more) fun than a lavish, all-singing-all-dancing Christmas. The Bear who welcomes Frog into his home is generous and considerate.

Insults Aren’t Funny: What to Do About Verbal Bullying

When Charlie is verbally bullied by his team mate, his thinks about quitting football all together. Luckily, with some help from a friend, Charlie learns what to do to get help when he is being bullied.

Too Many Carrots

A sweet book that encourages children to share, and gently reminds the reader of what is really important in life.

Under the Love Umbrella

A book to comfort 'anyone who has ever felt lonely, lost or alone'. Useful for children who are experiencing separation anxiety or loneliness, it sends the comforting message that wherever you are, you are loved.

Feel Better Daddy

An appealing board book that uses simple language, it explores empathy, encouraging young children to understand and respond to another person's feelings.

The Colour Monster

A good book to help young children identify, recognise and explore their emotions.

AdoraBULL

Separation can be hard for children, and in this original story, young Tom is devoted to his wonderful pet bull, Alfred. When he starts school, Tom starts searching for a strategy to help Alfred whilst he is absent, and in the end, finds a way to keep everyone happy!

Where Happiness Lives

Encourages children to appreciate what they have and realise that family and friendship generates more happiness than wealth and material possessions.

A Rainbow of Fun

An entertaining story about finding out who you really are and being true to yourself, and learning to stand up to prejudice and criticism.

Along Came A Different

A fun story about different shapes who learn to put aside their differences and get along. Promotes open-mindedness, kindness and tolerance.

Lula and the Sea Monster

This quirky and empowering story of the friendship between a girl and a rapidly-growing sea creature contains lots of helpful messages about the importance of kindness and perseverance, standing up for your beliefs and protecting the environment. It also acknowledges how difficult it is for children to leave their family home.