For young kids (and even for older ones) learning the importance of giving back and helping others is difficult. Books are a wonderful way to open these discussions, and help children at a young age have that compassion and empathy that they might otherwise have a harder time with. Check out these books about helping others.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Books about Helping Others on my Youtube channel.
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Books about Helping Others
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
All Jeremy wants is a pair of Those Shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter.
When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.
Blizzard by John Rocco
A young boy is amazed by a huge Blizzard that drops 53 inches of snow. But four days later, the snowplows still haven’t come. When he realizes his family needs food from the store, he heads out into the deep snow. Along the way, he stops to ask his neighbors what they need. He helps everyone out by picking food up for them.
How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home. The young boy takes care of the bird and nurses it back to health. How to Heal a Broken Wing is a powerful story of helping others.
Amos McGee Misses the Bus by Philip C. Stead
Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, is very considerate and always on time. But after a late night planning a surprise for all his friends, Amos is tired. So tired, in fact, that he falls asleep during breakfast and misses his bus to the zoo! Read on to find out how his animal friends step in to help him out.
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
Can one child’s good deed change the world? It can when she’s Ordinary Mary—an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house—who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world.
Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt
Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park. But, Sofia’s fridge at home is full of nutritious food and the fridge at Maddi’s house is empty.
Sofia learns that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she’ll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she’s faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s Fridge.
Free Picture Book List
Looking for more books to read aloud with your students? Grab this FREE list of books to teach Social Emotional Learning skills! SEL skills are more important than ever before. This book list of social emotional learning topics will make it so much easier to teach these skills to your students. The titles are split up by SEL skill and competency. This will make it easy for you to teach just one at a time!
Save this Book List
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite read alouds board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to this book list when you are ready to read them aloud with your students
