Best Picture Books about Empathy (2026): 4 Picks

The best picture books about empathy give a young reader a way into someone else’s feelings, and they give the adult reading aloud a story worth discussing. This list is for parents, teachers and librarians choosing read-alouds about kindness, and it compares four empathy picture books by what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	All of Us by Merritt	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Be Kind by Miller	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	What If Everybody Did That by Javernick	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The "I" in Kind by Cook	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

All of Us by Merritt

Olivia Merritt·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 ›

For ages 4 to 6, two brothers learn kindness, empathy and inclusion in a story with hand-drawn illustrations.

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Pros

• Reading age 4 to 6 stated in the listing
• 35 pages with hand-drawn illustrations stated
• Covers kindness, empathy, inclusion and friendship

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Bonus content described but details are thin
• Independently published, no publisher history stated

2

Be Kind by Miller

Pat Zietlow Miller·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 32-page picture book about what kindness looks like in small moments, with a stated reading age of 3 to 6, first in a two-book series.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2, so a follow-up exists
• 32 pages from Roaring Brook Press, February 2018
• Reading age 3 to 6 and grade level Preschool and up are stated

Cons

• The kindness theme is gentler than a direct inclusion message
• Fewer pages than the 40-page picks here
• The second book is not described in this listing

3

What If Everybody Did That by Javernick

Ellen Javernick·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 ›

It asks what would happen if everybody broke a small school rule, such as talking during story time.

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Pros

• Story time, washing up and the pool make the rules easy to connect to school
• Humorous mixed-media illustrations, as the description says
• Listed grade level of Preschool - 2 includes kindergarten

Cons

• Book 1 of 3, so the other two titles are separate purchases
• Reading age of 3 to 7 years is marked as from customers
• The description frames it around consequences, so it works better as a discussion than a story

4

The "I" in Kind by Cook

Julia Cook·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 ›

For ages 5 to 8, a rhyming story about being the 'i' in 'Kind' through everyday actions.

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Pros

• Reading age 5 to 8 stated in the listing
• 32 pages in the author's rhyming style
• Grade level Kindergarten and up stated

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Spec table lists both GR 3-5 and Kindergarten and up
• Published 2021, no newer edition stated

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More picks to compare

• I Feel with My Heart by HarrisonFor ages 3 to 8, Max learns empathy through everyday moments.Check on Amazon
• When I Smile by WitekFor ages 2 to 4, an interactive book about the power of a smile.Check on Amazon
• I Choose Empathy by EstradaFor ages 4 to 10, a rhyming story about choosing empathy.Check on Amazon
• I Help by MeinersFor ages 1 to 4, a board book about helping others.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the four picks list a reading age, each marked as from customers; the other two carry no age or page data in their listings.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about empathy

Match the reading age to the reader

The two full listings state reading ages 4 to 6 and 5 to 8, each marked as from customers. Pick the band that fits the child in front of you, and check the listing again before buying. For a wider age sweep, see our children’s books about empathy list.

Look for the empathy angle that fits

All of Us frames empathy as inclusion and friendship between two brothers, while Will You be the “I” in Kind? frames it as kind actions in rhyme. Choose the angle the reader will recognize from their own day. Our picture books about families list covers a nearby theme.

Before you buy

• Check the print length and format on the listing; two picks here state no page count.
• Note whether the reading age is marked as from customers, as both stated ages are.
• Confirm the title and author before ordering; similar kindness titles are easy to mix up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these empathy picture books for?

The two listings with stated ages give 4 to 6 and 5 to 8, each marked as from customers. The other two listings state no reading age.

Are these books part of a series?

None of the four listings states a series position. The more-picks shelf below names series titles such as the Growing Hearts series and the Teacher and Therapist Toolbox series.

Which pick suits a classroom read-aloud?

The two full listings state 32 and 35 pages. The title-only listings state no page count, so check the listing before planning a session.

Still deciding? Our top pickAll of Us by Merritt

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens books lists.

More lists: children’s books about empathy, picture books about respect, picture books about families and every picture book list.