Reading aloud children’s books to your elementary students is a great way to introduce and teach compassion. Below is a list of our favorite picture books to teach this social emotional learning topic. They all lend themselves well to facilitating rich classroom discussions around compassion. A Hat for Mrs. Goldman, Who Wet My Pants?, The Rabbit Listened and The Starkeeper are part of our compassion SEL Unit, which includes interactive read aloud lesson plans among tons of other resources for teaching compassion. Learn all about these children’s books about compassion below and how you can use them to teach compassion!
10 Children’s Books about Compassion
Below are 10 quality compassion children’s books for elementary teachers. Your kids will love these read alouds! They are great for teaching compassion, as well as many other concepts and skills.
1. A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards
Mrs. Goldman knits hats for many people and she teaches Sophia how to knit as well. One day, Sophia and Mrs. Goldman walk Mrs. Goldman’s dog in the cold winter weather and Sophia notices that Mrs. Goldman doesn’t have a hat to wear. Mrs. Goldman tells Sophia that she gave her hat to Mrs. Chen. Sophia decides that she will make Mrs. Goldman a hat. This beautiful story of compassion teaches students to give back, be mindful of others, and spread kindness. My Compassion SEL bundle includes an SEL lesson based on this picture book!
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2. Who Wet My Pants? By Bob Shea
Reuben arrives at his campsite with donuts for all of his friends, when he realizes his pants are wet. Reuben immediately starts asking his friends who wet his pants. The other animals deny wetting Reuben’s pants, and try to make him feel okay about wetting his pants. These friends show compassion toward someone in need, reminding readers to be empathetic and compassionate to others. My Compassion SEL bundle includes an SEL lesson based on this picture book!
3. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
One day, Taylor decides to build a tower with her blocks. It turns out amazing and she is proud of her work, when suddenly her tower is knocked down. When Taylor does not want to try anyone’s suggestions, they all leave. Finally, a rabbit comes along and sits quietly next to Taylor. The two sit in silence until Taylor asks the rabbit to stay with her. Eventually, Taylor starts talking, then laughing, and using all of the previous suggestions. She decides she is going to rebuild the tower and that it will be amazing. This story reminds readers that compassion can just be shown through keeping someone company during a hard time. My Compassion SEL bundle includes an SEL lesson based on this picture book!
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4. The Starkeeper by Faith Pray
A little girl was surrounded by a lonely darkness. One day, she comes upon a star, and she wanted to keep it for herself. As she kept it, the star grew smaller and wilted. The girl shared the star with others, and through her kindness, the star became brighter, bigger, and stronger. This story shows the importance of compassion, sharing, and community. My Compassion SEL bundle includes an SEL lesson based on this picture book!
5. Bob, Not Bob by Audrey Vernick & Liz Garton Scanlon
The fifth on this list of children’s books about compassion is Bob, Not Bob. Little Louie is sick with a terrible cold! His ears are blocked, his nose is stuffed, and he is hot and sweaty. Louie does not want to color, watch tv, or shoot baskets. All he wants is his mother. Whenever he calls for his mom, his dog Bob comes running. That’s because Louie sounds different when his nose is stuffy! Students will feel compassion for Louie as they can understand how he is feeling each time the dog comes running! Check out these Bob, Not Bob activities!
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6. Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Pena
It is Carmela’s birthday- finally! She scooters past the workers in the field. She knows why today is extra special! She is old enough to now do errands with her brother, but quickly misses her family. Her brother teaches her that she can make a wish when she finds a dandelion. She holds this special weed close, until she falls off of her scooter. Feeling sad and frustrated, Carmela’s brother brings her up to a special place. Can you guess what the field was filled with? Students will feel compassion for Carmela as they see her experience a variety of feelings they can all relate to! Check out these Carmela Full of Wishes activities!
7. Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey
Hally Tosis is a dog who has very smelly breath. Everyone walks on the other side of the street when Hally is outside, and even skunks avoid her. The real trouble starts for Hally when she jumps up on Grandma Tosis, and Grandma passes out from the stink. Things change for Hally when her breath helps capture burglars when they try to break into her house. Hally becomes a hero and her family decides to keep her despite her stink. Students will feel compassion for Hally as she cannot control her breath but continues to be loved. Check out these Dog Breath activities!
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8. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
A bear loves his hat, loses it, and desperately wants it back. He asks several other animals in the forest if they have seen it, and unfortunately they haven’t. Bear even asks a rabbit wearing a red hat if they’ve seen his hat and the rabbit gets very angry. Bear is not sure why! Readers will feel compassion for Bear as it is clear that Rabbit is wearing the hat. Will Bear realize in the end? Check out these I Want My Hat Back activities!
9. Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz
The narrator runs past Tio Ernesto, Ms. Lee, and Frank at the bike shop. He was too tired and thirsty to stop! Eventually, he catches the Paletero Man in the park. But when he goes to pay, the narrator realizes he has dropped his money! Thankfully, his neighbors Tio Ernesto, Mrs. Lee, and Frank are there to give him the money they saw him drop. Along with the narrator, students will feel compassion for his friends that are able to find and return the money so he can buy a nice, cold pop. Check out these Paletero Man activities!
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10. Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
The last book on this list of children’s books about compassion is Stone Soup. This folktale tells the story of three soldiers on their way home from war. Tired and hungry, the soldiers decide to stop in a village in search of food and a place to sleep. The villagers see the soldiers coming and begin to hide all their food, as they too are hungry. The soldiers come to the middle of the square, sharing they will make stone soup. Each family brings a different ingredient, which ultimately ends in a feast for all! Readers will feel compassion for these three soldiers, and eventually, all the townspeople who come together to eat the feast. Check out these Stone Soup activities!
Integrated SEL and Literacy Activities
Below are some integrated SEL and literacy resources for elementary teachers.
SEL Unit
Our Compassion Unit, which is available individually or as part of a year-long SEL bundle, includes lessons for the first four books on this list. This unit is packed with lesson plans, teaching resources, games, and activities. Click an image below to either get this individual compassion unit or get ALL 30 SEL units!
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SEL Book Companions
As I mentioned earlier, I love teaching SEL skills using picture books. That’s why I created the Starts With a Story Collection. High quality children’s literature supports elementary teachers in delivering meaningful and accessible SEL lessons. All of the read alouds on this list are part of this book companion collection. Check out the book companions below!
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In closing, we hope you found this list of children’s books about compassion helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:
