Our Favorite Books and Parenting Resources
FOR KIDS: Our favorite books for teaching empathy to kids
Books are a great place to stretch your child’s empathy muscles. Invite them into another character’s perspective, and let them practice thinking how others might feel. The key to great empathy-building books, however, is to pick books with a variety life experiences, some of which will feel very different to your child. That’s good. You want your child to learn to empathize with people different than themselves.
Author: Mark Hamby
Ages: 6-10
Description: A true story from the 1800s about a little girl who sacrificed her savings for a starving beggar. It is the timeless story of kindness and sacrifice that laid the foundation of a child’s character and a nation’s future. Full-color illustrations will capture the hearts of children as they learn that sacrifice is the cornerstone for surprising blessings.
Author: Dr. Seuss
Ages: 4-9
Description: Horton hears a tiny voice coming from a speck of dust. Does a voice so small really matter? Should he care if that speck of dust falls in the water? Should he attempt to save it, at great cost to himself, when others are sure the speck is just a speck of dust? This classic Dr. Seuss book inspires fantastic conversations with children about caring for others and how you know right from wrong.
Author: Cori Doerrfeld
Ages: 3-5
Description: When Taylor’s block construction gets knocked down, he doesn’t know what do with all his sadness. Several animals come and make suggestions: the chicken to talk about it, the bear to yell about it, the hyena to laugh about it, and so forth. Finally, the rabbit comes, cuddles, and listens, and Taylor feels better. It’s a profound statement that showing empathy doesn’t always mean solving, fixing, or distracting: just listening and being present. Great lesson for grownups too!
Author: Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah
Ages: 3-7
Description: Every child will relate to thinking another child’s food looks yucky… and the instinct to tell them, even when those words are hurtful. Unfortunately when Lily and Salma do exactly this about each other’s sandwiches (PB&J and hummus pita, respectively), it starts a school-wide battle in the diverse school. The book offers a gentle story in forgiveness and openness to different cultures for young children.
You want your kids to care about more than their own needs. If you’re looking to raise Kingdom-centered world-changers, books are a great place to start inspiring. Here are some of our favorites!
Author: Mary Hoffman
Ages: 4-8
Description: Beautiful watercolor illustrations bring to life the little girl who loves stories and can’t wait to be Peter Pan in her class play. She’s discouraged when a classmate tells her she can’t because she’s a girl, and another because she’s black. Her mom and grandma encourage her that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it. With the inspiration of a role model, she perseveres, auditions, and in the end, feels like she could fly!
This book provides a great opportunity to discuss and graciously challenge biases our kids (and we) may have. It also encourages kids to not give up, to use their gifts, and to be confident in the skin they are in!
Recognized in A Reading Rainbow Selection, An ALA Notable Book, A Booklist Editors’ Choice, A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, Horn Book Fanfare, and A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
Author: Dorothy Sterling
Ages: 11+
Description: Born as a slave in South Carolina, Robert Smalls became a hero in the Civil War. He became the best ship pilot in Charleston but was still “boy” until Fort Sumter fell and he decided to escape to freedom. With great courage and daring, he coolly piloted the Planter– a paddle wheel steamer ship capable of transporting a thousand men- past the guns of Sumter.
Then he became a man. A man who fought for freedom in the United States Navy. A man who talked for freedom in the meeting halls and churches of the North. A man who finally went to Congress and continued the fight through the hopes and bitter disillusionment of Reconstruction.
This riveting true story of Robert Small’s life would be a great book for middle school to high school readers who want to hear what life was like for a slave in the South during and after the Civil War.
Author: Floyd Cooper
Ages: 6-10
Description: Mazie doesn’t like to hear the word “no.” So, as she gets ready for her community’s Juneteenth celebration, her father tells her all the times her ancestors unfairly heard the word “no.” She learns the stories, struggles, and triumphs from the time of slavery to the present day.
With beautiful illustrations, we watch Mazie’s growing understanding of why she celebrates, and the reader remembers with her.
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Author: Doreen Rappaport
Ages: 6-8**
Description:
This powerful, but simple, picture book biography tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. The author, using her words, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s words, weaves the story of a boy who grew up in the segregated south, being raised in the church, who grew up to become a minister and use the big words his parents had taught him. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and for the next 10 years, black Americans peacefully protested for equal rights. Despite being “jailed and beaten and murdered,” they remained peaceful and refused to stop. It took 10 years, but the “White Only” signs finally came down. He cared about all people and was admired all over the world. In 1968, while helping others, he was shot and died.
This book is an impactful book and way to discuss the Civil Rights Movement and the message and life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The end of the book includes a list of important dates and a list of additional books and websites.
**This book addresses violence in racism as it mentions the protesters being jailed, beaten, and murdered. It says that MLK was hated, some threatened to kill him and his family; his house was bombed (and his brother’s house), and eventually he was shot dead.
A Caldecott Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, Child Magazine Best Book and 2001 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book
Author: Jabari Asim
Ages: 5-11
Description: Young John Lewis would grow up to join the Freedom Riders and become one of the most well-known Civil Rights leaders. But, first, he was a boy who wanted to be a preacher, so he practiced among his only flock: the chickens he raised.
Author: Robert Coles
Ages: 6-10
Description: The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. Told with Robert Coles’ powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, Ruby’s story of courage, faith, and hope is now available in this special 50th anniversary edition with an updated afterword!
There are some scarier moments in this book as Ruby is walking through the mobs to get into school each day. But these moments are balanced with her faith and kindness towards the people who are angry. This story is also filled with the faith of Ruby’s family and how it guided them through this tough situation.
Author: Robert Coles
Ages: 6-10
Description: The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. Told with Robert Coles’ powerful narrative and dramatically illustrated by George Ford, Ruby’s story of courage, faith, and hope is now available in this special 50th anniversary edition with an updated afterword!
There are some scarier moments in this book as Ruby is walking through the mobs to get into school each day. But these moments are balanced with her faith and kindness towards the people who are angry. This story is also filled with the faith of Ruby’s family and how it guided them through this tough situation.
Author: Barroux
Ages: 4-8
Description: Three polar bears, enjoying their home, are suddenly separated when they drift to sea. They’re scared and want help and to find a new home, but the animals they ask find all kinds of reasons they can’t stay. Their ice is shrinking and time is running out when they come to an empty island they can finally call home. When some monkeys come, looking for a new home, the polar bears extend their welcome.
This story was inspired by the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis and is a wonderful way to begin the discussion on the trouble migrants face. The illustrations and humor incorporated throughout keeps otherwise heavy topics lighter.
Author: Cynthia Levinson
Ages: 5-10
Description:
Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you’re never too little to make a difference.
Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks heard church leaders talking about civil rights and marching. She decided she wanted to picket as well. She figured she’d just go to jail with all the grownups.
This is a remarkable story about the role one child played during the Civil Rights Movement.
These are some of our favorite books told from non-white or Hispanic perspectives.
NOTE: This section doesn’t include many of the wonderful books on Civil Rights leaders, even though they include a non-white perspective. You can find those fantastic books in the section above, titled “Stories that cultivate a heart for social justice issues.” Instead, this section focuses primarily on the real and fictional lives of non-white characters living well.
Author: Mary Hoffman
Ages: 4-8
Description: Beautiful watercolor illustrations bring to life the little girl who loves stories and can’t wait to be Peter Pan in her class play. She’s discouraged when a classmate tells her she can’t because she’s a girl, and another because she’s black. Her mom and grandma encourage her that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it. With the inspiration of a role model, she perseveres, auditions, and in the end, feels like she could fly!
This book provides a great opportunity to discuss and graciously challenge biases our kids (and we) may have. It also encourages kids to not give up, to use their gifts, and to be confident in the skin they are in!
Recognized in A Reading Rainbow Selection, An ALA Notable Book, A Booklist Editors’ Choice, A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, Horn Book Fanfare, and A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
Author: Aya Khalil
Ages: 6-10
Description: When Kanzi’s family comes to America from Egypt, she just wants to fit in. She does little things to try to avoid looking different, but when her mom shows up at school wearing a hijab and using Arabic, the teasing begins. The teacher then assigns a creative class project to learn the beauty of bilingualism. This is a great book for every child who will be exposed to a bilingual classmate—which is probably every child.
Author: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Ages: 6-10*
Description: Lewis’s father, Lewis Michaux Sr, opened a very unusual bookstore in a very unusual time: the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem during the 1930’s. Young Lewis tells of meeting famous Civil Rights leaders like Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X and the ways his father’s bookstore fostered new ideas.
*Parents should be aware Malcolm X’s death features in the book. This is an opportunity for conversation about racially targeted violence.
Author: Dorena Williamson
Ages: 4-8
Description: Two siblings and their neighbor discover the beauty of God’s creation and the variety of colors He used. What a different world it would be with no color! Granny Mac helps the kids appreciate the world around them, and leads them in a discussion about the beauty in how God created the variety of colors people come in as well! The book shares a gracious challenge to the colorblind approach to race and invites children to celebrate God’s design in creating people with different skin colors.
Includes a Parent Connection page at the end of the book with Bible passages to read and discuss along with six thoughtful questions to help you engage your children in discussion about the story.
Author: Karen Katz
Ages: 4-8
Description: Lena, a 7 year old, walks with her mom throughout their neighborhood and she discovers that brown isn’t just brown when it comes to skin. The people in her life are all different shades of brown. Lena describes the browns using comparisons kids can relate to like cinnamon, peachy and tan, fall leaves, honey, chocolate, and more. She gets out her paints and creates “the colors of us!”
This book does a great job of celebrating diversity, and giving language to help kids describe skin colors, appreciating the beauty of all the shades we come in.
Author: JoAnne Deak, PhD
Ages: 4-8
Description: Just like your other muscles develop with exercise, so does your brain! And what’s one of the best ways of strengthening and stretching your brain? Making mistakes.
In this book, your child learns a bit of brain anatomy and is introduced to a growth mindset (ie. the idea that if you’re not good at something now, you might be later with enough perseverance).
A great book for kids afraid of making mistakes or prone to beating themselves up over what they’re not good at. Key Message: You are called and capable of learning new things.
Zones of Regulation, app or chart
The Zones of Regulation uses a systematic, cognitive-behavioral approach to teach self-regulation. If your child struggles with self-regulation (and most little children do), this system can be a great support for teaching self awareness.
Author: Rebecca Patterson
Ages: 2-5
Description: Bella has a terrible day, and she’s not very nice about it. She yells about her egg and how her friend wants to play. She screams through the grocery store, hates her bath, and tantrums over bedtime. But her mother remains steady. She doesn’t lose it, and she patiently reminds Bella that maybe tomorrow will be a better day. She demonstrates safety and loving a child at her worst! Every child will relate to Bella’s day and find reassurance in the kind words of Bella’s mother.
Author: Barbara M. Joosse
Ages: 2-7
Description: With beautiful paintings depicting an Arctic landscape, this book both puts Inuit culture on display and shows the love between a mother and her child. The child starts by asking if and how much her mother loves her. But then she moves into questions, such as “What if I turn into a walrus?” or even misbehaves. Still, her mother affirms she will love her just the same.
Author: Jennifer Plecas
Ages: 3-7
Description: Jimmy and his dad spend the day pretending together, first on a boat/couch, then climbing the mountain of a deserted island/the stairs, and finally building a fort together. In the end, they decide what’s not pretend is their enjoyment of each other.
Author: Phil Vischer
Ages: 6-10
Description: Sidney and Norman are next-door neighbors, but they couldn’t be more different. Norman’s always on time, looking neat, and following every rule. Sidney’s a mess, disheveled, and always late. Norman looks down on those like Sidney, and Sidney cowers in shame. Then God asks to meet with each of them. And a message of deep, deep grace and love for every person, regardless of their behavior, is brought to life.
Inspire your kids with what they can do and how. Whether stories, visuals, or apps, these resources help your children feel empowered to succeed behaviorally.
Author: Jessica Sinarski
Ages: 3-7
Description: Riley the Brave is the story of a little bear with big emotions. With the help of his friends he learns healthy ways to navigate his emotions, ask for help, and learn more about letting someone into his heart.
Authors: Stephanie Madrigal & Michelle Garcia Winner
Ages: 5-10
Description: Help your child gain a new vocabulary for mastery flexibility. If your child loses every time plans change or things don’t go his way, introduce him to Superflex (the hero) and Glassman (the villain that makes people fall apart like glass). Expect great conversations and a chance to refer to the book at those moments when you ask your child to show extra flexibility. Key Message: You are called and capable of going with the flow.
Authors: John Trent & Gary Smalley
Ages: 4-8
Description: A lion, an otter, a golden retriever, and a beaver must set out on a journey to find the golden keys to the treasure tree. The book invites your kids to discover their own personality strengths and to appreciate the personalities of those different than themselves. Key Message: You are called and capable of problem-solving as a team.
Authors: Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke
Ages: 5-11
Description: If you’ve got a young child that struggles with social skills, this funny comic book can help. The book goes through the social clues that all of us can use to figure out what other people are thinking or about to do. Key Message: You are called and capable of noticing other people’s feelings.
Author: JoAnne Deak, PhD
Ages: 4-8
Description: Just like your other muscles develop with exercise, so does your brain! And what’s one of the best ways of strengthening and stretching your brain? Making mistakes.
In this book, your child learns a bit of brain anatomy and is introduced to a growth mindset (ie. the idea that if you’re not good at something now, you might be later with enough perseverance).
A great book for kids afraid of making mistakes or prone to beating themselves up over what they’re not good at. Key Message: You are called and capable of learning new things.
Zones of Regulation, app or chart
The Zones of Regulation uses a systematic, cognitive-behavioral approach to teach self-regulation. If your child struggles with self-regulation (and most little children do), this system can be a great support for teaching self awareness.
Author: Dai Hankey
Ages: 4-7
Description: Eric gives a powerful kick to his soccer ball, sending it over the hedge and smashing into his neighbor’s pansy pots. At first he does what many kids will do: hiding his mistake, shifting the blame, lying, etc. When he gets around to confessing, his father offers grace and a plan to make things right again. It’s a great lesson for kids still struggling with how to apologize and take responsibility well.
Author: Jane Yolen
Ages: 3-5
Description: “Even though friends may occasionally fight, there’s always a way of making everything right.” The book starts with a bunch of humorous anti-examples of things a child might do after a fight, but tells us those are not what dinosaurs do. Instead, dinosaurs work at reconciling and we’re given all sorts of ideas for what that might look like: writing a nice note, giving gifts, hugging their friend. This book sets a great standard for kids that they can make things right again, even after a big fight.