January: Kindness

Kindness K-2 Reading List

What Does It Mean to Be Kind?

What Does It Mean to Be Kind? by Rana DiOrio; Stéphane Jorisch
This book shows many examples of ways to show acts of kindness! A simple gesture or friendly words can make anyone feel special.

I Walk With Vanessa

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët; Kerascoët
This picture book allows readers to relate emotionally when a classmate is treated badly and shows how a simple act of Kindness helps a community join together.

Be Kind

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller; Jen Hill
In this Kindness treasure, the narrator tries to be kind after a friend spills grape juice. When her Kindness isn't received well, she muses on just exactly what is Kindness anyway?

The Invisible Boy

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig; Patrice Barton
Nobody seems to notice, much less include Brian, in anything until Brian begins to take notice of the new student Justin. Will the Kindness that the boys share help color Brian's world and bring him out of his cloak of invisibility?

Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler

Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler; Sachiko Yoshikawa
Missing recess as a consequence for misbehaving in Kindergarten? Mrs. Ruler has a newfangled way to teach her students that Kindness really is an important class family expectation.

Because Amelia Smiled

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Is it really possible that Amelia's one simple smile can set off a chain of events, create a Kindness ripple, and eventually boomerang back her way?

Try a Little Kindness

Try a Little Kindness by Henry Cole
This picture book is illustrated with funny animals showing practical examples of being Kind.

We're All Wonders

We're All Wonders by R. J. Palacio
Meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy. Together they teach the world how to choose kindness.

ABCs of Kindness

ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger; Ekaterina Trukhan
Starting with A and ending with Z, this ... illustrated book will show young readers the many ways they can make the world a kinder place.

A Little SPOT of Kindness

A Little SPOT of Kindness! by Diane Alber
A little yellow spot helps two children learn all the different ways to be kind.

The Power of One

The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig; Mike Curato
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community.

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Kindness

Pete the Cat's Groovy Guide to Kindness by James Dean; Kimberly Dean
A collection of quotes by famous notables, including Henry James, Booker T. Washington, and Judy Blume, echoes Pete the Cat's thoughts on kindness.

I Am Kind

I Am Kind by Marla Conn
Color photographs with labels and simple text describe how individuals can show kindness.

Pass It On

Pass It On by Sophy Henn
When you see something terrific, smile a smile and pass it on! If you chance upon a chuckle, hee hee hee and pass it on. Should you spot a thing of wonder, jump for joy and pass it on!

If You Plant a Seed

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
If you plant a carrot seed . . . a carrot will grow. If you plant a cabbage seed . . . cabbage will grow. But what happens if you plant a seed of kindness . . . or selfishness.

When We Are Kind

When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith; Nicole Neidhardt
When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives.

My Heart

My Heart by Corinna Luyken
My heart is a window. My heart is a slide. My heart can be closed...or opened up wide. Some days your heart is a puddle or a fence to keep the world out. But some days it is wide open to the love that surrounds you.

A New Day

A New Day by Brad Meltzer; Dan Santat
After Sunday quits being a day of the week, the other days of the week try out all sorts of candidates, until an act of kindness reminds them all that a little appreciation can go a long way.

Tomorrow I'll Be Kind

Tomorrow I'll Be Kind by Jessica Hische
Tomorrow I'll be everything I strive to be each day And even when it's difficult I'll work to find a way. Immerse yourself in the beautifully hand-lettered words of wisdom, hope, and positivity alongside adorable illustrations of love and caring.

The Flash is Caring

The Flash Is Caring by Christopher Harbo; Otis Frampton
The Flash uses his super speed to help other people and show them he cares.

How Full is Your Bucket? for Kids

How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids by Tom Rath; Mary Reckmeyer; Maurie J. Manning (Illustrator)
Using the metaphor of a bucket, Felix's grandfather explains how being kind is the most fulfilling way to go about one's life and encourages him not to be dissuaded by those who choose a different path in this inspiring tale about how one person's actions can impact those of others.

Papa Gave Me a Stick

Papa Gave Me a Stick by Janice Levy; Simone Shin
After seeing a mariachi band, Antonio wants a guitar of his own, but his father can't afford one and gives Antonio a stick instead, which leads Antonio to perform a series of good deeds, each of which provides a seemingly useless reward.

The Cool Bean

The Cool Bean by Jory John; Pete Oswald
Everyone knows the cool beans. They're sooooo cool. And then there's the uncool has-bean. Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd--until one day the cool beans show him how it's done.

Sincerely, Emerson

Sincerely, Emerson by Emerson Weber; Jaclyn Sinquett
Eleven-year-old Emerson Weber gives her mail carrier, Doug, a letter of thanks, and her small act of kindness sets off a chain reaction of gratitude, hope, and appreciation for essential workers around the world.

Take Care

Take Care by Madelyn Rosenberg; Giuliana Gregori
This simple verse story relays that kindness to the world is as easy as planting trees, tending to flowers, and being nice to animals. And being kind to others can be as simple as choosing nice words and sharing a smile. Because the world belongs to all of us!

Change Sings

Change Sings by Amanda Gorman; Loren Long
As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes--big or small--in the world, in their communities, and, most importantly, in themselves.

The Suitcase

The Suitcase by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
When a weary stranger arrives one day with only a suitcase, everyone is full of questions. Why is he here? Where has he come from? And just what is in the suitcase? To learn the answers, they can either trust the newcomer or discover what they risk by not believing them.

You Are My Friend

You Are My Friend by Aimee Reid; Matt Phelan
Provides a simple biography of Fred Rogers, the beloved television personality behind Mr. Rogers, documenting his sickly, bullied childhood and how he discovered his message of acceptance and compassion.

Nothing in Common

Nothing in Common by Kate Hoefler; Corinna Luyken
Two solitary children living in two different apartment buildings have nothing in common except compassion for an old man and his dog.

Kindness 3-5 Reading List

Each Kindness

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson; E. B. Lewis
The children at Maya's new school have so many opportunities to show this new student Kindness, but it's not until she returns to never come back that they realize what happens when you let those chances slip away.

Tilt Your Head, Rosie the Red

Tilt Your Head, Rosie the Red by Rosemary McCarney; Yvonne Cathcart
When Rosie notices that her classmates are not treating their classmate Fadimata well, she swoops in caped with Kindness to save the day.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli; Paul Yalowitz
Mr. Hatch, a grumpy old man, discovers the power of kindness when he receives a small unexpected gift from somebody who loves him.

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Sidewalk Flowers

Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson; Sydney Smith
A little girl collects wildflowers while walking with her distracted father. Students are able to infer during this wordless picture book, how each flower becomes a gift and fills the pages with colors of Kindness.

One Smile

One Smile by Cynthia McKinley; Mary Gregg Byrne
With just one smile, a simple gesture, Katie can powerfully impact the lives of others. Students will be inspired to smile more and pass on this smallest act of Kindness toward others!

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson; Fumi Kosaka
An ordinary girl at an ordinary school stumbles on an ordinary blueberry patch en route to her ordinary home. How will she mix those tasty treats with Kindness to create the multiplier effect?

Scribble Stones

Scribble Stones by Diane Alber
This story starts off with a little stone who thinks he will become something amazing but then soon realizes he had become a dull paper weight. He's on a mission to become something greater and in the process meets scribble and splatter and they all come up a creative way to bring joy to thousands of people.

New Kid

New Kid by Jerry Craft
Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him tot he art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, but where Jordan starts to feel very alone.

Wish Tree

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate
Enjoy the enchanting and heartwarming story of Red, the neighborhood oak tree who is the neighborhood keeper of wishes.

The Potato Chip Champ

The Potato Chip Champ by Maria Dismondy; Dawn Beacon
Champ and Walter both love baseball and potato chips, but that's were their similarities end. And while Champ is never satisfied with everything he has, Walter is content with what little he has. And soon Walter is the one who teaches Champ about character.

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy; Donna Farrell
When a new kid who does not speak English joins Johnny's class, Johnny is surprised by his classmates' reactions.

Someplace to Call Home

Someplace to Call Home by Sandra Dallas
In 1933, when twelve-year-old Hallie Turner and her brothers, Tom and Benny, take to the road seeking whatever work they can get, they find kindness in small-town Kansas.

The Boy at the Back of the Class

The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
When quiet, nine-year-old Ahmet arrives in their classroom, a boy and his friends fail to draw him out but try a new plan after learning he is a Syrian refugee.

Three Keys

Three Keys by Kelly Yang
Mia Tang thinks she's going to have the best year ever. She and her parents are the proud owners of the Calivista Motel, Mia gets to run the front desk with her best friend, Lupe, and she's finally getting somewhere with her writing! But as it turns out, sixth grade is no picnic.