Best Children’s Books About Not Hitting (2026): 5 Picks Compared

When a toddler’s hands start flying, the best children’s books about not hitting give grown-ups words for the moment. We compared every book in the listings, scoring each on fit for the topic, contents and the listed reading age, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	When You Feel Like Hitting	9.7/10	Buy
2	Best Behavior 6-Book Box Set	9.7/10	Buy
3	Hands Are Not for Hitting	9.7/10	Buy
4	Little Dinos Don't Hit	9.6/10	Buy
5	That's My Truck!	9.6/10	Buy

1

When You Feel Like Hitting

Cara Goodwin PhD·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A no-hitting book for toddlers teaching safe alternatives to hitting, in a sturdy board book format.

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Pros

• Teaches concrete alternatives: gentle hands, scribbling, deep breaths
• Sturdy board book format, per the spec table
• Listed reading age of 2 to 4 years, matching toddlers

Cons

• Publisher not stated in the visible spec fields
• 48 pages is mid-length for a read-aloud, not a quick one
• Focused on toddlers, less for preschoolers past 4

2

Best Behavior 6-Book Box Set

Multiple Authors·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A six-book board book box set on positive behavior, including Hands Are Not for Hitting, for ages 1 to 4.

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Pros

• Six board books for the price of one set, 144 pages total
• Covers hitting plus kicking, yelling, waiting, hurtful words and nose-picking
• Tips for grown-ups in the back of every book, per the description

Cons

• Only one of the six books is about hitting
• Six books take more shelf space than a single volume
• Description targets ages 1 to 4 while the reading age says 2 to 4

3

Hands Are Not for Hitting

Martine Agassi·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A classic behavior book teaching that hands are for positive actions, with a section for adults, in English and Spanish editions.

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Pros

• Special section for adults with activities and discussion starters
• Available in paperback and board book, in English and Spanish editions
• Listed grade level Preschool to 2, the widest range here

Cons

• Description says 4 years and up while the spec table says reading age 2 to 5
• 2009 first edition, the oldest here
• Paperback format needs gentler handling than a board book

4

Little Dinos Don't Hit

Michael Dahl·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A dinosaur board book where Little Dino learns hitting is not okay, for ages 0 to 3.

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Pros

• Sturdy board book with just-my-size pages for toddlers
• Cheerful dinosaur story that makes the lesson fun, per the description
• Youngest listed reading age here at 2 to 3 years

Cons

• Description says ages 0 to 3 while the spec table says reading age 2 to 3
• 20 pages, the shortest single volume here
• 2013 publication date, older than the toddler-focused alternatives

5

That's My Truck!

Dr. Becky Kennedy·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A picture book about a boy who hits his sister over a truck, with a parent guide to hitting included.

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Pros

• Includes a Good Inside guide to hitting with tips and scripts for parents
• Story helps children separate behavior from identity, per the description
• 32 pages from Feiwel and Friends, published April 1, 2025

Cons

• Listed for ages 3 to 5, the oldest range here, less for young toddlers
• Story centers on one sibling conflict over a truck
• Newest book here, so the series has no track record yet

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More picks to compare

• Little Dinos Don't PushA companion dinosaur board book about not pushing, ages 2 to 3.Check on Amazon
• No Hitting!A short not-hitting book for the youngest readers, ages 1 to 3.Check on Amazon
• No Hitting PleaseA social story about stopping hitting, for ages 3 to 5.Check on Amazon
• Lovevery Hitting HurtsA tricky-topics book on hitting hurting, for ages 2 to 4.Check on Amazon
• If I Hit at SchoolA story about stopping hitting at school, 31 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, and value, plus the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five picks list a reading age, and two also list a grade level, so that part of the score is counted for every pick. How we pick explains the weights.

How to choose the best best children’s books about not hitting

Match the approach to the child

Some books teach alternatives to hitting, like gentle hands and deep breaths, while others tell a story where a character learns the lesson. What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting is built around alternatives for toddlers, and Little Dinos Don’t Hit tells a dinosaur story with the same message. Pick the approach your child responds to; see every picture books list for more read-aloud options.

Check the reading age against your reader

The picks here list ages from 2 to 3 up to 3 to 5, and the Hands Are Not for Hitting description even says 4 years and up while its spec table says 2 to 5. Read the listing’s age line and pick the book that meets your child where they are, not the one with the catchiest cover.

Consider the format for small hands

Board books survive chewing and throwing; paperbacks do not. The toddler-focused picks here come in sturdy board formats, while the longer storybooks suit calmer read-aloud time. For siblings learning other skills, our best children’s books about potty training list follows the same board-book logic.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age on the listing: one description says 4 years and up while its spec table says 2 to 5.
• Check the format: board books suit toddlers, paperbacks suit older preschoolers.
• Check how many books you get: one pick is a six-book box set, the rest are single volumes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book teaches alternatives to hitting?

What to Do When You Feel Like Hitting teaches gentle hands, squeezing a stuffed animal, scribbling and deep breaths, per the description.

Is there a box set on good behavior?

Yes. The Best Behavior 6-book box set includes Hands Are Not for Hitting plus five more behavior books, for ages 1 to 4 per the description.

Which pick suits the youngest readers?

Little Dinos Don’t Hit lists a reading age of 2 to 3 years in a sturdy board book, the youngest range here.

Still deciding? Our top pickWhen You Feel Like Hitting

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Related lists

See every Picture Books list and all Kids and Teens lists.

children’s books about potty training, children’s books about resilience, children’s books about responsibility and children’s books about trucks.