Kindness
Suggestions from Mt. Lebanon Public Library, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
www.mtlebanonlibrary.org
Picture books for children in preschool—second grade
Unless otherwise noted, all books may be found in
the picture book section under the author’s last name.
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Koi and the kola nuts : a tale from Liberia / retold by Verna Aardema
A chief’s son must make his way in the world with only a bag of kola nuts and the help of some creatures that he has treated with kindness.
One winter's day / M. Christina Butler
When a wind blows away Little Hedgehog's nest, he sets out for his friend Badger's house, and the generosity he shows to others on his journey is returned to him when the snowstorm is over.
A circle of friends / Giora Carmi
When a boy anonymously shares his snack with a homeless man, he begins a cycle of good will.
The mitten tree / Candace Christiansen
Old Sarah knits mittens for all the children waiting for the school bus and hangs them on the blue spruce tree at the bus stop.
The golden rule / Ilene Cooper
Grandpa explains that the golden rule is a simple statement on how to live that can be practiced by people of all ages and faiths.
Kindness is cooler, Mrs. Ruler / Margery Cuyler
Mrs. Ruler guides her students in discovering ways of being kind.
Andy and the lion / James Daugherty
In this retelling of Androcles and the Lion, Andy meets a lion on the way to school and wins his friendship for life by removing a thorn from his paw.
Glenna's seeds / Nancy Edwards
When Glenna gives away a packet of flower seeds, it sets off a chain of kind events among her neighbors.
The elves and the shoemaker / retold from the Brothers Grimm
A poor shoemaker becomes successful with the help of two elves who finish his shoes during the night.
Because of you / B.G. Hennessy
Every person helps make the world a kinder and more peaceful place.
St. Jerome and the lion / retold by Margaret Hodges (j 270.2 Hod)
The legend of Saint Jerome, the lion that he removed a thorn from its paw, and the friendship and trust that developed between them.
Toads and diamonds / retold by Charlotte Huck
Two step-sisters receive appropriate gifts for their actions: one's words are accompanied by flowers and jewels, the other's by toads and snakes.
The tongue-cut sparrow / retold by Momoko Ishii
A kind old man and his greedy wife pay separate visits to the
tongue-cut sparrow and receive as gifts just what they deserve.
The wolf's chicken stew / Keiko Kasza
A wolf's attempts to fatten a chicken for his stewpot have unexpected
results when the chicken family turns out to be friendly and kind.
The magic kerchief / Kirby Larson
Sharp-tongued Griselda gets a magic kerchief, and when she wears it she can speak only kind words to the people she meets.
Albert the Fix-it Man / Janet Lord
A cheerful repairman fixes squeaky doors, leaky roofs, and crumbling fences for his neighbors, who return the kindness when he catches a terrible cold.
Beauty and the beast / retold by Marianna Mayer
(j 398.2 FRANCE May)
Through her great capacity to love, a kind girl releases a prince from the spell which has made him an ugly beast.
How kind! / Mary Murphy (Toddler- j T M)
When Hen gives Pig an egg, she sets off a chain of events that brings kindness to all of the animals on the farm.
Celia and the sweet, sweet water / Katherine Paterson
While journeying to find a remedy for her mother's illness, Celia and her grumpy dog encounter strange characters who have never known kindness.
Chicken Sunday / Patricia Polacco
To thank old Eula for her wonderful Sunday chicken dinners, children sell decorated eggs and buy her a beautiful Easter hat.
The trees of the dancing goats / Patricia Polacco
When their neighbors become ill one winter, a Jewish family helps make Christmas special for them by making their own Hanukkah miracle.
My friend Rabbit / Eric Rohmann
Something always seems to go wrong when Rabbit is around, but Mouse lets him play with his toy plane anyway because he is his good friend.
Silver packages : an Appalachian Christmas story / Cynthia Rylant
A rich man repays a debt of kindness to the children of Appalachia, where he used to live.
The talking eggs : a folktale from the American South / retold by Robert D. San Souci
A Southern folktale in which a kind sister gains riches, while her greedy sister is duly rewarded.
Three bags full / Ragnhild Scamell
Millie, a kindhearted sheep, gives away pieces of her wool to other needy animals.
Here comes Darrell / Leda Schubert
Throughout the seasons in northern Vermont, Darrell helps his neighbors with their chores, never finding time to fix his own barn roof, but when a storm passes through town, he finds his kindness to his neighbors returned.
A thread of kindness : a tzedaka story / Leah Shollar
When a poor farmer and his wife are blessed with six years of riches, their kindness and generosity make it last a lifetime.
The dancing pig / Judy Sierra
After being snatched by a terrible ogress, two sisters are rescued by the animals that they have always treated with great kindness.
Mufaro's beautiful daughters : an African tale / John Steptoe
Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.
Wolf's favor / Fulvio Testa
By doing a simple favor for Porcupine, Wolf sets off an unnatural chain of good deeds.
The woodcutter's duck / Krystyna Turska
Kindness to a frog brings a Polish woodcutter unusual power and a change of fortune.
The kindness quilt / Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
A school assignment to perform acts of kindness is illustrated in the quilt the students eventually make.
A ball for all / Brigitte Weninger
Animal friends learn that if they are kind to each other and share the ball they are playing with, they can all be friends instead of enemies.
Look for these and other great books in
The Children's Library
Mt. Lebanon Public Library
16 Castle Shannon Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412/531-1913 3/08
www.mtlebanonlibrary.org
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