The holidays are here and reading can be the ideal summer activity for children. It’s fun, portable, and can involve the whole family. Here’s a list of books for children to teach them how everyone is unique and special, how to turn feelings of sadness, anger and fear into happiness and how to find kindness and positives in each day.
- Hey Warrior! by Karen Young
- Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
- Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson
- I am Lucy, by Carolina Sommer
- Lucy has a baby brother, by Carolina and Mariana Sommer
- Be Kind Silly, by Makayla and Lily Allison
- Wonder: R.J. Palacio
- Smile with Simon, by Patricia Simon
- Simon and the Buddy Branch, by Patricia Simon
- Have You FIlled Your Bucket Today, by Carol McCloud
- The Judgemental Flower, by Julia Cook
- Somos Un Arco Iris-We are a Rainbow, by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor
- Shades of People, by Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly
- I Like Myself, by Karen Beaumont
- We are all Wonders, by R.J. Palacio
- Extraordanary Friends, by Fred Rogers
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell
- You Be You, by Linda Kranz
- It’s Okay to be Different, by Todd Parr
- Off to the Park, by Stephen Cheethan
- Susan Laughs, by Jeanne Willis
- Catherine’s Story, by Geneveive Moore
- Our Stripy Baby, by Gillian Shields
- The Animal Boogle, by Debbie Harter
- Dan and Diesel, by Charlotte Hudson
- Noo-Noos, by Carol Thompson
- Jump!, by Carol Thompson
- Run!, by Carol Thompson
- Snug, by Carol Thompson
- Max the Champion, by Sean Stockdale and Alexander Strick
- Ringo the Flamingo, by Neil Griffiths
- I Can’t Hear Like You (Talking it Through), by Althea
- The Deaf Musician, by Pete Seeger, and Paul Dubois Jacobs
- Collywobble, by Malachy Doyle
- Sweet Cranio Child, by Shelby Davidson
- F is for Feelings, by Goldie Millar and Lisa Berger
- I’m Like You and You Are Like Me, by Cindy Gainer
- Same, but Little Different, by Kylie Dunstan
- Topsy and Tim: Make a New Friend, by Jean and Gareth Adamson
- Just Because, by Rebecca Elliot
- The Black Book of Colours, by Menena Cottin
- Quiet Bunny’s Many Colors, by Lisa McCue
- Love Monster, by Rachel Bright
- Kindness is Cooler Mrs. Ruler, by Margery Cuyler
- Be Who You Are, by Todd Parr
- What Does it Mean to be Kind?, by Rana DiOrio
- Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt DeLa Pena
- Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson
- Kindness Counts, by Bryan Smith
- Exclamation Mark, by Amy Krouse Resenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
- The Berenstain Bears: Kindness Counts, by Jan and Mike Berenstain
- What Was I Scared Of?, by Dr. Seuss
- Horton Hears a Who!, by Dr. Seuss
- Horton Hatches the Egg, by Dr. Seuss
- Incredible Me!, by Kathi Appelt
- Yes: Life is Waiting. Are You Ready?, by Kobi Yamada
- What Do You Do With An Idea?, by Kobi Yamada
- You Can Be Anything!, by Charles M. Schulz
- When I Feel Angry, by Cornelia Maude Spelman
- Find Your Happy, by M.H. Clark
- I’m Gonna Like Me, by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell