7 Books About Kindness for Babies & Toddlers

Like all things we strive to teach our children, kindness is basically a learned skill – one that we as parents can help our little ones grow and develop. While teaching our children concepts like kindness and empathy can be tricky, there are plenty of books that provide those ever-helpful guideposts. Kindness is a quality that will not only help our children navigate the world, but hopefully make their small corner of the world a better place. Whether it’s something as simple as sharing a snack or favorite toy, saying hello to a friend, or discovering the importance of comforting someone who is sad, the books below are a perfect way to help your child understand what it means to be kind.

Kindness Makes Us Strong

by Sophie Beer

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This delightfully illustrated board book is a great way to begin introducing your little one to the concept of kindness. Each vibrant double page spread features children practicing a range of skills - everything from offering comfort to someone who is sad to simply saying hello - to help your child understand what it means to be kind.

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The Nice Book

by David Ezra Stein

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With its varied fonts and engaging, simplistic animal pictures, The Nice Book is an eye-catching way to help expand your child's emotional literacy. Through sweet and often silly examples, David Ezra Stein uses his animal characters - ranging from mice to penguins to koalas - to show ways we can all be kind to those around us.

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ABCs of Kindness

by Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Summer Macon

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Perfect for the multi-tasking parent, ABCs of Kindness is an entertaining and delightful way to not only start your little one on the path to learning their ABCs, but also to help them understand the virtues of friendship and kindness. The charming, colorful illustrations are sure to captivate any child.

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Baby Be Kind

by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

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Featuring Jane Cowen-Fletcher's adorable, endearing art style, Baby Be Kind is a perfect way to help your child understand that kindness can be shown through the simplest gestures. Whether it's simply saying hello to a friend, offering a hug, or simply sharing a snack, there are myriad ways to be kind.

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I Hug You and You

by David McPhail

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With its simple rhyming structure and gentle, colorful illustrations, I Hug You and You is perfect for showing your child the basic connection between kindness and affection. There's nothing quite like the power of a good hug, and this delightful tale is a perfect way to help your child understand why.

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Dr. Seuss’s You Are Kind

by Dr. Seuss

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Dr. Seuss has delighted generations of children. Here, one of his most beloved characters - Horton the Elephant - leads your little reader through a host of observations on what it means to be kind. Featuring classic illustrations from Dr. Seuss, this board book is an inspiring and engaging way to expand your child's emotional awareness.

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Duck & Goose

by Tad Hills

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Tad Hills created a modern classic when he introduced readers to the lively adventures of the adorable Duck and Goose. Now, the adventures of beloved duo are available to the littlest readers in a sturdy board book format. Join Duck and Goose as they explore the bounds of their friendship and learn to cooperate, share, and, most importantly, be kind to one another.

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