There is nothing more rewarding than seeing your kids being friendly and showing others kindness. One day I witnessed my two kids in a chair together reading. My son is usually not one to sit still, and definitely be nice to his sister. To see him being genuinely nice to her was the greatest moment. He sat for 30 minutes sharing one of his favorite books with her. He made all of the animal sounds and even tried to teach her to push the buttons. It was moments like this that remind me I’m doing something right. I try to tell myself that it’s because of these books on kindness that we have been reading to him.
Because of this amazing moment, I figured I would share my favorite books on kindness:
A Porcupine Named Fluffy, by Helen Lester
A porcupine named Fluffy? He tries really hard to change himself to fit his name and runs into a rhino named Hippo. After the two laugh at each others names, they become good friends.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead
Amos McGee is a thoughtful zookeeper who, though very busy, makes time for each of the animals at the zoo. He is so loved that when he stays home sick, they come to him! The illustrations will melt your heart!
Amos & Boris, by William Steig
Amos the mouse and Boris the whale becomes friends when Amos nearly drowns in the ocean. As they part at the seaside, the new friends know they might never meet again. Years later, when Boris gets stuck on the sandy shore, his little friend comes to his rescue.
Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson
This is a funny story with instructions for turning a best enemy into a best friend.
Hey, Little Ant, by Phillip Hoose
If I was you, and you were me, what would you do? Imagine trading places with a little ant. Would you stop and listen or squish that little friend.
Owen & Mzee: A True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, by Isabela Makoff
Two unlikely friends, a hippo and a turtle become the best of friends. This is the amazing story of an orphaned baby hippo and 130 year old giant turtle and their inseparable friendship.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
There is no better friend than the giving tree. This book shows the tree’s kindness from the boy’s childhood into adulthood. As the boy experiences life he comes to appreciate the friendship of the giving tree.
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge, by Mem Fox
This treasure of a book is about a boy whose best friends are residents of a nursing home. When his dearest friend, Miss Nancy, starts losing her memory, Wilfred does whatever he can to help her find it!
