Inclusion & Kindness
These books are intended to help children understand inclusion and how to be kind to one another.
Ages: 5-8
“All of us can be kind, compassionate, and gracious. All of us can be helpful, considerate, and courageous.
So remember who you are. This is your life to live. Don’t ever hold back. You have so much to give!
You’re one of a kind, and it’s so clear to see: the world need who YOU were made to be.” ~Joanna Gaines
Another beautiful children’s book written by @joannagaines and illustrated by the talented @juliannaswaney.
This one is definitely my favorite with the storyline, message, and rhyming! 💫 It’s sure to spark conversation in your home about diversity, inclusion, and character development.
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Ages: 3-8
A wonderful story that highlights a normal curiosity we may have for others with special needs while teaching how to have tolerance and acceptance with others who are different. Author, Amy Webb teaches kids and parents how to behave when meeting someone who looks very different from them. When Charlie does meet Emma he learns that different is not just okay, it’s GREAT!
Ages: 4-8
This hilarious story emphasizes differences in people’s personalities. Bear loves to be alone, enjoys peace and quiet. Duck loves to be with others, enjoys adventure, and is non-stop talkative. Readers can learn the importance of not only tolerating one another’s differences but also respecting them while not taking things personally. The more Duck takes personal Bear’s desire for solitude, the more Duck tries too hard to get attention when he says, “but maybe you’ll like me more…” It raises discussion points about people-pleasing behavior and how sometimes perceived rejections are not about you at all!
Ages: 1-3 years
Choco feels alone and he can’t find his mother. He begins to look for her but despite his efforts in asking different animals, nobody looks like him and he starts to cry. Mrs. Bear quickly finds Choco and asks if she can help. Choco realizes that although Mrs. Bear is not his mother she can love him just the same.
A heart-warming, simple story for step children, adoptees or children in foster care.
Ages: 4-8
“A Story About A Simple Act of Kindness”. This book demonstrates the full range of emotions experienced when being bullied and then overcoming. From feeling sad, alone and different to happy, included and empowered when standing up for right by being a friend. It has a powerful message with compelling illustrations that tell the story without words so young children will understand. No words are needed. It’s a perfect illustration of how actions (pictures) speak louder than words.
Ages: 6-9
Brian has trouble being noticed. He is quieter than the other children and often gets overlooked. Brian feels left out much of the time until he shows kindness to Justin, a new student. The illustrations brilliantly depict Brian’s invisibility and soon the color that comes to him when he’s noticed and included. A powerful message for kids to remember to include others.
Ages: 3-8
This book is extremely insightful from the perspective of a child who is quiet but notices everything. She’s been paying “extra special attention” to all the unkind and bully-like behavior. One day she takes a stand and finds even the smallest girl in the smallest grade can make a difference.
Ages: 4-8
A wonderful illustration about reaching out to others for help and making friends in the process. The uncorker of ocean bottles takes his job very seriously of delivering messages in bottles. He wishes that he might have a message for himself one day but realizes this is highly unlikely since he had no friends. One day he gets a peculiar message and through his diligent search to find the recipient, he discovers something more special, the possibility of friends.
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Ages: 3 & up
Millie and Her Tangled Thoughts: A Book to Help Catch, Check, and Change Distorted Thinking artistically combines principles of cognitive behavior therapy with a children’s picture book. Each page describes relatable examples of common cognitive distortions as Millie catches, checks, and changes her tangled thoughts. This book will spark your children’s interest as they learn more about the power thoughts have on how they feel and behave and empower them with the ability to untangle negative thinking. - Nedley Health
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