One of my FAVORITE things to do with the boys is to read a book together, and then give them a challenge! To me, this helps bridge the gap between head knowledge and character in action. So gather up the Kindness books you think your little ones would enjoy most, and next week we will share challenge and extension activities (like the one in the picture) to go along with specific books highlighted below!
Favorite Books for Pre-K
How Kind (board book)- This sweet story about animals being kind to one another is my two year old’s favorite book, by far! As each character says, “I want to do something kind, too!” This book shows how a circle story returns to the one who first shared kindness.
If You Plant a Seed-I’m not sure if I love the words or the paintings in this book more! They are both spectacular as they illustrate what happens when you plant seeds of kindness.
Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur and Do Unto Otters are both clever books about manners. Both books help preschoolers see how good manners are easy to use and create positive feelings.
The Giant of Jum & Big Mean Dust Bunny both tell silly stories about what happens when grouchy and mean characters are met with kindness! Listen as scary moments turn to happy smiles!
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed and Because Amelia Smiled are both GREAT books about how one act of kindness has the power to truly change the world!
Try a Little Kindness– Kid friendly ideas and tips to show how making kindness a daily habit can be fun! Remember to look closely at the pictures which are worth a thousand words.
Extra Yarn-As Chip looked at the title, he made the connection that this book was written by one of his favorite authors! It’s simple, hilarious, and unpredictable. The boys and I laughed out loud. As you read, observe and discuss what happens in the pictures (the color of the town) with each act of kindness.
Super Buns- Kindness is My Super Power – Superbuns thinks her superpower is being kind, but her older sister thinks being kind gets in the way until . . .they are followed by a fox! A wonderful illustration of doing what’s kind no matter what others say.
Additional books about Kindness:
The Lion and the Mouse – Jerry Pinkney’s drawings are incredible in this wordless book of one of Aesop’s fables. He dramatically shows that despite differences, no act of kindness is ever wasted.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today provides a visual of a bucket to help children understand how showing kindness fills others up and makes the world a better place. Filling others buckets also helps to build a positive environment.
Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind is a beautiful reminder that the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference – “and even when it’s difficult, I’ll work to find a way.”
Favorite Picture Books-for slightly older children
Big Wide Welcome- “A true story about Jesus, James, and a church that learned to LOVE all sorts of people.” This book is so spot on that Chip had to help me finish reading it aloud as I had trouble getting the words to come out through my tears. The kindness of God is unmatched.
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler-This book is SO fun and shows how kindness can be contagious but oh how I wish it were just a tad shorter! We had to break this book up in smaller chunks, even with my big boys.
Step Right Up– An amazing true story about Doc Key and his horse, Jim, from Tennessee. It illustrates how being kind to animals is as important as being kind to people.
Those Shoes – A heartwarming story about how Kindness and Compassion go hand in hand. This is one of our favorite reminders about what really matters!
Mr. Marc was our next door neighbor and often played songs on his guitar as the boys ran around in the backyard. As part of the Speer Family, he grew up singing gospel music and continues using his gifts to record hymns for CB&J today! These hymns are a timeless way to remind children about the character of Jesus, and we are grateful to be able to share these with you.