Check out our commonkind list of favourite books to read with your preschooler to introduce the concept of kindness. All books are ruthlessly reviewed by our panel of real child judges! Although they are still learning kindess they don’t hold back on the important subject of books!
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KIND
by Jess McGeachin (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR)
Why we like it
Rhyming book with a valuable message about being kind to living creatures and our environment. Beautiful illustrations of animals from all over the world engage the reader and provide opportunities to discuss the differenced between and beauty of living things. The book ends with highlighting the importance of being kind to Earth (as the only planet we’ve got) and also to leave some room to be kind to oneself.
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From the Publisher
From one of Australia’s most talented new picture-book creators comes this beautiful ode to the wonders of our natural world.
NOTABLE BOOK: 2023 CBCA Book of the Year, Eve Pownall Award
From the tiniest beetle to the most majestic whale, every creature on Earth is a marvel, deserving of awe and compassion. This beautiful picture book is a unique celebration of living things of many kinds – and the kindness we can show them as we wander through the world. A stunning and lyrical masterpiece from an exciting Australian talent.
KINDNESS MAKES US STRONG
by Sophie Beer (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR)
Why we like it
This bright board book has gorgeous colourful cartoon-style illustrations of diverse characters demonstrating simple, relatable examples of kindness. The author apparently believes that “Art should never be boring” and this book is proof of that. The book provides many examples of what kindness is and finishes with “Kindness is what makes us strong”.
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From the Publisher
This bright book by the creator of Love Makes a Family celebrates acts of kindness big and small.
Kindness is a friendly hello. A roaring cheer. A quick boost. Kindness is what makes us strong! This joyful board book shows various children as they extend kindness in all kinds of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime, on a bike path, and on a neighborhood street. This sweet preschool read-aloud shows the way kindness helps build friendship and community.
KINDNESS MAKES US STRONG
by Sophie Beer (AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR)
Why we like it
A sweet book about acts of kindness for the 12 days of Christmas. The young children and their family think of different ways to spread kindness each day to others in their community whether it is the garbage collectors, the post person, neighbours, family or friends. On the 12th day of Christmas they have a party with all of the people with whom they have shared kindness.
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From the Publisher
There’s so much more to Christmas than just getting presents. Celebrate all the ways you can be generous and kind in Twelve Days of Kindness, by the creator of best-selling Kindness Makes Us Strong.
Whether it’s making a card, sharing freshly baked cookies or sprinkling sparkly cheer, there are many kind ways to brighten someone else’s day during Christmas. Explore some of the simple ways you can spread kindness with this uplifting story by award-winning illustrator Sophie Beer. Featuring an inclusive range of families, parents and cultures, readers young and old will love seeing themselves and their communities gathered together. Sparkling with gold foil, this high-quality, hardback picture book will be plenty of fun for young readers!
BE KIND
by Pat Zietlow Miller & Jen Hill
Why we like it
With beautiful drawings of diverse children in relatable scenarios, this story suggests that even the smallest act of kindness can spread around the world.
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From the Publisher
Each act, big or small, can make a difference – or at least help a friend.
What does it mean to be kind? When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind.
With award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller’s gentle text and Jen Hill’s irresistible art, Be Kind is an unforgettable story for little ones, about how simple acts can change the world.
HOW DO DINOSAURS LEARN TO BE KIND?
by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
Why we like it
Simple, funny rhyming book with beautiful illustrations. that will appeal to the dino lover and non-lover alike. The book starts with dinosaurs doing “unkind” things (that may be common behaviours for children) but then flips the script and shows that dinosaurs are kind after all.
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From the Publisher
Laugh out loud as our bestselling dinosaurs learn to be kind despite their sometimes mischievous antics.
How does a dinosaur learn to be kind? Does he roar about everything that is on his mind?
Does he wake up at midnight and make lots of noise? Does he take his big sister’s new shoes and her toys?
NO!!!
A dinosaur knows how to be very kind, always keep other folks firmly in mind.
Being kind can be a little difficult, even for dinosaurs. But with a little practice and some heartfelt humor, our prehistoric pals can develop empathy and compassion for others. Join in the hilarity as the bestselling duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague teach young readers and dinosaurs that being kind is important and cool!
With over 24 million copies in print, each dino-mite How Do Dinosaurs…? book is a combination of hilarious situations and sing-song rhymes that show young children how to be more successful every day and in every way. The How Do Dinosaurs…? series will help children become confident readers while teaching them little life lessons. And as an added bonus, the names of each dinosaur are hidden on each page. Look for all the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs…? books by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague.
I LIKE TO BE KIND
by Campbell Books, Marie Paruit (Illustrator)
Why we like it
This short board book is sturdy for little fingers yet engaging with the interactive lift-the-flap format. The simple text and colourful cartoon-style illustrations focus on relatable topics even for young children of “Helping Each Other”, “Sharing Things”, “Caring for Each Other”. At the back of the book are some useful notes for parents by Dr Janet Rose on how to model and teach kindness to young children.
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From the Publisher
I Like To Be Kind is a fun introduction to the benefits of being kind to others. Young children can lift the flaps, slide the tabs and turn the wheel as they explore what kindness is, the emotional effect of being kind and ways in which they can show kindness.
With delightful illustrations from Marie Paruit on every page, this is the perfect book for parents and carers to share with young children to develop their emotional intelligence. Explanations, hints and tips from Early Years expert Dr Janet Rose will provide parents with all the extra guidance they need.
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