Looking for the best kindness books for preschool to build a more caring classroom? You’re in the right place. These stories go beyond surface-level lessons; they invite real conversations about empathy, helping others, and being a kind friend.
Teaching kindness isn’t just about creating a calm, happy classroom vibe (though that’s definitely a bonus). Research shows that practicing kindness improves mental health, boosts self-esteem, and even changes the brain!
Yep… according to Patty Grady in her work on the positive psychology of kindness, “kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness.” In other words, our preschoolers don’t just learn kindness by hearing about it—they learn it by feeling it.
So how do we help our little learners feel kindness so they can reproduce it?
One of the best (and most joyful!) ways is through picture books. Stories open up such beautiful conversations about emotions, empathy, helping others, and what it actually looks like to be kind.
In this post, I’m sharing 12 cool kindness books for preschool that I come back to again and again, as well as some simple, playful kindness activities for kids you can sprinkle into your week.
But first! 💌 Have you grabbed my free Kindness Scenario Cards yet? These conversation starters are a teacher fave for a reason. They’re a perfect, age-appropriate way to help your preschoolers role-play and reflect on real-life kindness moments. Click the image below to grab them:
How to Teach Kindness to Preschoolers?
There are so many sweet (and seriously powerful) ways to teach kindness to our preschoolers. And the biggest tip? Don’t treat kindness like a one-off lesson. It’s not a “Kindness Week” and done situation. For kindness to really stick, it needs to be:
✨ Practiced often
💛 Noticed and celebrated
🌱 Woven into your everyday classroom culture
You don’t need a massive curriculum overhaul either. Think small, consistent moments that highlight helping others, taking turns, using gentle hands, and speaking kindly. Your classroom becomes a kindness incubator when you name those moments and give your learners language around them.
Want more ideas for making kindness a daily habit in your classroom? Check out this blog post:
👉 9 Simple But Effective Kindness Activities for Kids
It’s full of low-prep, teacher-tested ways to sprinkle kindness into your everyday routines without adding extra to your plate.
How to Integrate Pre K Kindness Activities?
Teaching kindness doesn’t have to be a big, glitter-filled production (unless you want glitter—then I say go for it!). Here are some simple, meaningful ways to weave kindness into your preschool classroom every day:
🧐 Notice and highlight acts of kindness you see.
When you see a child helping a friend, using kind words, or inviting someone to play, name it! Shine a spotlight on those moments so your learners can see kindness in action and feel proud of it.
📚 Read and talk about kindness books for preschool.
Books are such powerful teaching tools. Reading stories where characters show empathy, help others, or learn to be kind sparks big feelings and big conversations. Keep scrolling…I’ve got a list of 12 fabulous kindness books for preschool below that your kiddos will love.
🎉 Celebrate kindness-focused days and weeks.
There are so many fun calendar events you can use as a launchpad for kindness activities and discussions. A few favourites to pop on your planner:
- 🌍 World Kindness Day (Nov 13)
- 💫 Random Acts of Kindness Week (February)
- 🐾 Be Kind to Animals Week
- 🌱 Earth Day
- 💛 Make a Difference Day
- 🤝 International Day of Friendship
Use these as mini kindness units. You could read a themed book, do a class challenge, or create something beautiful together!
One more Super Important thing …
💖 Teach empathy.
Kindness and empathy are BFFs. The more our students learn to understand and feel what someone else might be experiencing, the more likely they are to respond with care. Try activities that build emotional awareness, like naming feelings, role-playing, and reading empathy-focused picture books (here’s a list I love!).
💬 Want to take your empathy teaching further? Pair with my Developing Empathy Bundle. These activities will help develop your pre-k, preschool or kindergarten students’ abilities to see things from the point of view of others and support them as they develop actions and words to show empathy to others.
Why Kindness Books for Preschool Matter
Kindness isn’t always something kids just know; it’s something they learn through modeling, experience, and stories. That’s why kindness books for preschool are such powerful tools. Picture books help young children understand so many concepts at a deeper level. Like, empathy, friendship, and helping others in a way that’s relatable and meaningful. When we read these stories aloud and talk about the stories, the characters, their choices, we’re giving our students the language and ideas they need to see how we can show kindness and use kind words.
What Are the Best Kindness Books for Preschool?
If you’re looking for the best kindness books for preschool, this list has you covered. These stories are full of big-hearted characters, teachable moments, and beautiful illustrations that open the door to conversations about compassion, empathy, and doing good in the world.
Here are 12 of my all-time favourite kindness picture books for preschool:ns.
1. Kindness is my Superpower By Alicia Ortego
This sweet story belongs on every classroom shelf. Lucas learns that it’s okay to make mistakes—and that saying “I’m sorry” is part of being kind. With vivid illustrations and real-world examples (home, school, the playground), this book teaches good manners and positive behavior in a way kids really connect with.
2. Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler By Margery Cuyler
Mrs. Ruler is here to teach the golden rule: KINDNESS IS COOL! This fun, rhyming story follows her class as they complete good deed after good deed—so many that their kindness bulletin board can barely contain them. Great for counting, classroom inspiration, and giving your own kids ideas for how to show kindness.
3. The Kindness Book By Todd Parr
Todd Parr loves to teach children about differences, kindness, and families through his colorful and inclusive books. In The Kindness Book, children are taught that no matter what others choose to do, they should always choose to be kind. Helping instill empathy and kindness into our youngest learners.
4. Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind By Jessica Hische
A beautiful sequel to Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave, readers can follow along with the most beautifully handwritten words about wisdom and hope. Plus, the illustrations teach students all about love and caring. This book helps remind young and old people that we need to be kind to one another.
5. Punky Aloha By Shar Tuiasoa
Punky isn’t so sure about making new friends, until she puts on her grandma’s magical sunglasses and finds the courage to be kind and brave. A vibrant story that blends Polynesian culture with timeless lessons about friendship and stepping outside your comfort zone.
6. Kind by Alison Green
With over 40 illustrators coming together to create this book, it teaches children the universal importance of kindness. It shows them how a simple smile or helping someone else can make the world a better place.
7. A Small Kindness by Stacy McAnulty
A simple act of kindness makes a difference in the world, and this simple text is the perfect way to show preschoolers how kindness can spread!
8.Twig by Aura Parker
Heidi is a stick bug, and she looks like a twig on a tree. When she gets to bug school, she wants to learn new friends. Will Heidi be able to overcome her worry and make new friends?
9. Harry the Happy Mouse by NGK, illustrated by Janelle Dimmett
Harry is a happy mouse. In this traditional story, Harry helps a frog and, as repayment, asks for him to help someone else. The reader follows the good deed as it moves from character to character, each making themselves happy in the process.
10.Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
Ordinary Mary is hoping her one good deed will change the world. But she is just an ordinary girl in an ordinary school and an ordinary house. But on her way home, she finds some blueberries, and when she decides to pick them for her neighbor, it starts a chain reaction!
11. Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud
Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dipper? This book helps teach our little learners all about each other’s imaginary buckets. When we are kind, help, or compliment each other, we start to fill someone’s bucket. However, when we yell, are rude, or make someone feel sad, we are dipping into their bucket and taking from it. An easy way to help teach kindness to others!
12. Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Amelia loves to skip down the street and smile. Her smile makes her neighbor smile, and she sends her grandson cookies, that grandson then inspires a ballet troupe in England, and the good events continue throughout the world. Just a simple smile can change the world.
These are just some of my go-to kindness books for preschool, but there are so many more that can help you teach empathy and care.our preschoolers about kindness.
Songs About Kindness for Preschoolers
Now that you’ve explored some amazing kindness books for preschool, why not keep the kindness vibes going with music? 🎶
These kindness songs for preschoolers are perfect for circle time, transitions, or just when your class needs a little heart-filled boost. Singing about kindness helps your students feel the message in their bodies—and makes it more likely they’ll act on it too!
Here are some of my favorite kindness songs and videos for preschool:
Kindness by the Juke Box Juke Box
Color Your World With Kindness
Sesame Street – Try a Little Kindness
Be Kind to Everyone
Sharing Song
My preschoolers just love dancing, singing, and just jumping to these fun songs! These songs are perfect companions to the kindness books for preschool mentioned above!
Kindness for Preschoolers
Teaching kindness in preschool isn’t about grand gestures or themed weeks. It’s about what we model, what we notice, and what we return to again and again. Books, songs, and small conversations add up to something powerful when they’re woven into your everyday classroom rhythm.
If you’ve been feeling the pull to create a more connected, compassionate classroom culture, I hope this post gave you fresh ideas to try, and reminded you that you don’t need to do it all at once.
Start small. Repeat often. Celebrate the tiny moments. That’s where the magic lives.
Want More Kindness Ideas for Preschoolers?
Check out these blog posts below for more kindness ideas for preschoolers:
9 Simple but Effective Kindness Activities for Kids
10 World Kindness Day Activities for your Preschool Classroom
Why Empathy is Important Even in the Preschool Classroom
Find Ready Made Kindness Teaching Resources Here:
- Preschool Kindness Lesson and Activities
- Kindness Classroom Challenges
- Kindness Craft Activities
- Kindness Classroom Centers
Last updated on June 18, 2025 with even more ideas to help you bring kindness into your preschool classroom.
