Kindness Counts

By Debby Anderson

Through colorful illustrations, Scripture references, and interactive exercises, Kindness Counts! helps children learn basic math skills while teaching them the importance of kindness. They will learn that God loves them and wants them to spread his kindness and love to others, and they will see that even the smallest acts of kindness matter.

Be Polite and Kind (Learning to Get Along)

By Cheri J. Meiners

When children are kind, courteous, and respectful, people enjoy being around them and reciprocate with the same behavior. This book helps kids understand the importance of showing politeness, speaking kindly, using basic courtesies (“please,” “thank you,” “excuse me”), and respecting the feelings of others.

How Full Is Your Bucket?

By Tom Rath

Organized around a simple metaphor of a dipper and a bucket — already familiar to thousands of people — How Full is Your Bucket? shows how even the smallest interactions we have with others every day profoundly affect our relationships, productivity, health, and longevity.

Being Kind Pb (Growing Up)

By Janine Amos

Provides examples and tips for being kind to someone who seems worried or alone.

Kids’ Random Acts of Kindness 

Published by Conari Press

An inspirational collection of heartwarming stories from kids of all ages

The Berenstain Bears: Kindness Counts (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)

By Jan Berenstain

Brother Bear loves everything to do with model airplanes, whether it’s building, fixing, or flying them. But when he shares one of his prized planes with a younger cub will his kindness be returned?

The Kindness Quilt

By Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Minna puts a lot of thought into her Kindness Project for school, and, when she starts writing, drawing, and cutting, a brilliant idea takes shape and spreads throughout the whole school!

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

By Margery Cuyler

Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler is about a teacher that gets upset about her students being mean to one another and gives them an assignment to go home and be kind. The next day during show and tell Mrs. Ruler asks her students to tell the class how they were kind. Mrs. Ruler then wants the kids to be kind in school, and then in their communities. I love the concept of the book and it has a great message, but the book tended to drag on forever. It seemed as though the author tried to pack so much information into one book, and it was an overload. I almost read this book during an observation, and I’m glad I didn’t.

A Little Book of Manners: Courtesy & Kindness for Young Ladies

By Emilie Barnes

Following in the footsteps of the popular Let’s Have a Tea Party! Book, Emilie Barnes introduces children to good manners. Fascinating facts explain why we follow certain rules, and helpful hints demonstrate courtesy in a child-friendly way.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

By Carol McCloud

Through sweet, simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heartwarming book encourages positive behavior as children see how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis. This wonderful book is a winner of seven awards.

The Kindness of Children

By Vivian Gussin Paley

Visiting a London nursery school, Vivian Paley observes the schoolchildren’s reception of another visitor, a handicapped boy named Teddy, who is strapped into a wheelchair, wearing a helmet, and barely able to speak. A predicament arises, and the children’s response–simple and immediate–offers Paley the purest evidence of kindness she has ever seen.

Tale of the Poisonous Yuck Bugs: Based on Proverbs 12:18

By Aaron Reynolds

Sometimes thoughtless words just slip out…Children can understand God’s plan for our spoken words when they see how a pair of name-callers almost learn their lesson the hard way.

Perseverant…

The Little Engine That Could

~ by Watty Piper

Overview “I think I can! I think I can!” This well-loved classic tale of the Little Blue Engine who isn’t afraid to try has and will continue to inspire and entertain generations of children. Although he is not very big, the Little Blue Engine agrees to try to pull a stranded train full of toys over the mountain.

Today I Will Fly! (Elephant and Piggie Series)

~ by Mo Willems

Overview Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. Today, I Will Fly! is the funny introduction to the characters. Piggie is determined to fly. But Gerald the elephant knows that’s impossible–isn’t it?

Carrot Seed

~ by Ruth Krauss, Crockett Johnson (Illustrator)

Overview Everyone is certain it won’t grow, but a little boy remains confident in his carrot seed’s potential. Watch as he carefully plants, tends to, and eventually harvests a carrot whose size is in direct proportion to his unflappable faith in it. Despite everyone’s dire predictions, a little boy has faith in the carrot seed he plants.

Otto Goes to the Beach

~ by Todd Parr

Todd Parr takes the frustration out of finding new friends in this sunshiny picture book starring Otto! When “Poor Otto” decides that he doesn’t like staying home by himself, the dog hops in his car and zooms off to the beach. The pooch then tries to get some quality time with other beachcombers, but the crab he meets is just too crabby to build a sand castle, and a surfing cat laughs at him when his bathing suit falls off. Fortunately, though, Otto meets a purple poodle who’s busy digging up bones, and the two spend fun time together swimming and balancing beach balls on their noses. With a super-friendly message about not getting down (“there is always someone out there who will like to play with you”) and his brilliantly electric artwork, Parr delivers a winning pick-me-up that will leave kids confident and refreshed. Matt Warner

I Believe in You

~ by Marianne Richmond

“Whether it’s sunny or stormy, whether you’re happy or blue, I’m here to say, without a doubt that I believe in you. “I Believe in You explores the powerful feeling in every parent’s heart as you watch a child take on the big job of growing up. This inspiring and meaningful book puts into words the little moments that reveal just how much you believe in them, no matter what life throws their way. Growing up is a roller coaster ride of emotion and adventure, asking a child to show self-confidence and courage that they may not know they have. Showing you will be by their side can mean the world to them and give them the strength they often so desperately need. Award-winning author and illustrator Marianne Richmond uses her signature uplifting style to show that your support and unconditional love is always there as children navigate the road of life. I Believe in You encourages kids to look within to find they have all they need to succeed-and to know they always have someone cheering them on.

Diligent…

Addy Saves the Day by Connie Porter

Annabelle’s Un-Birthday by Steven Kroll
Awful Thursday by Ron Roy
Book of Virtues by William Bennett
Boy Who Cried Wolf by Aesop
Boy Who Held Back the Sea by Thomas Locker
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Brink
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
Children’s Book of Virtues by William Bennett
Cold and Hot Winter by Johanna Hurwitz
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Felicia the Critic by Ellen Conford
Figment Your Dog Speaking by Laura Hawkins
Fish Face by Patricia R. Giff
Freya’s Fantastic Surprise by Hathorn
John Henry by Ezra Keats
Journey to Freedom by Courtni Wright
Liar, Liar Pants on Fire by Miriam Cohen
Like Some Kind of Hero by Jan Marino
Matilda Who Told Such Dreadful Lies by Hilaire Belloc
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert O’Brien
Pinocchio by C. Collodi
Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell
Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert San Souci
Thief’s Daughter by Alan Marks
Tillie and the Wall by Leo Lionniv
The Ugly Duckling adapted by James Ertel
Undercover Tailback by Matt Christopher
Value of Determination-Story of Helen Keller by Ann Johnson
Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
Diligence (Adventures in Odyssey Life Lessons) [Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]
The Goose that could not fly: The saga of a late achiever By Martha Philbeck
Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change: Courageous Actions Around the World Garth Sundem
If you know of more books and stories that would make a good addition to this list, please leave your ideas in the comments, we will check them out and add the to the list with our THANKS!