Best Children’s Books About Empathy (2026): 7 Compared

A child learning to notice how others feel needs stories that name the skill out loud: the best children’s books about empathy. We compared seven picture books by theme, extras, stated reading age and page count, for parents, teachers and caregivers.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	It's Brave to Be Kind by Daniels	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Teach Your Dragon Empathy by Herman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Dinosaur Learns Empathy by Herman	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Quilliam Controls His Temper by Black	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	My Way to Kindness by Cole	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

It's Brave to Be Kind by Daniels

Natasha Daniels LCSW·9.8/10 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 ›

Story-and-activity book about Alex, who meets someone different, with parent advice.

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Pros

• 50 pages of story plus activities, the most here
• Parent and caregiver advice included
• Grade level 1 to 2 stated

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• Description says ages 5 to 7, narrower than listed 4 to 7
• No series stated

2

Teach Your Dragon Empathy by Herman

Steve Herman·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 ›

Illustrated 42-page story about a dragon learning how others feel, for fans of animal characters.

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Pros

• Empathy, compassion and kindness are the stated subjects
• 42 pages with illustrations stated
• My Dragon Books series offers follow-up books

Cons

• Reading age 4 to 7 marked as from customers only
• Grade level appears twice, once cut off as 'Kindergarten -'
• Book 24 of a 68-book series

3

Dinosaur Learns Empathy by Herman

Steve Herman·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 ›

40-page story of Steve the dinosaur and friends learning empathy and kindness.

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Pros

• Empathy is the stated subject
• Reading age 4 to 8 years, no from-customers mark
• 40 pages, per the listing

Cons

• No grade level stated
• No activities or discussion guides stated
• Published November 30, 2020

4

Quilliam Controls His Temper by Black

Misty Black·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 ›

39-page story of Quilliam the porcupine controlling his temper and quills, with discussion materials included.

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Pros

• Teacher and parent discussion materials included
• 39 pages on anger and friendship, per the description
• Spanish version noted

Cons

• Theme is anger management, not empathy, per the description
• Reading age 3 to 7 marked as from customers only
• No grade level stated

5

My Way to Kindness by Cole

Elizabeth Cole·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 ›

30-page rhyming picture book about little Melissa, on kindness, sharing and inclusion, with a coloring page.

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Pros

• Empathy, inclusion, sharing and respect are the stated subjects
• Rhyming text with hand-drawn illustrations stated
• Coloring page included

Cons

• No listed reading age or grade level
• 30 pages, the lowest count here
• Independently published, no series to continue

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More picks to compare

• I Choose Empathy by EstradaRhyming empathy story for ages 4 to 10, developed with teachers and therapists.Check on Amazon
• Empathy Makes Me Kind by MohanSimple rhyming story for ages 4 to 6 with discussion topics for kids.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the young reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where given. Four of the five picks list a reading age, three marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

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 children’s books about empathy

Match the reading age to the child, not the shelf

Four of the five state a reading age: 4 to 7 years, marked as from customers, on the dragon and kindness books, 3 to 7 years on the porcupine book, and 4 to 8 years on the dinosaur book.

Story only, or story plus something to do

The Brave to Be Kind book pairs its story with activities and parent advice, and the Quilliam book includes discussion materials. For a classroom those extras matter; for bedtime, a straight story may be enough. See our best children’s books about kindness and best children’s books about feelings.

Before you buy

• Check the print length: 30 to 50 pages here, the Cole listing lowest at 30.
• For series books, note the position: the dragon book is Book 24 of 68.
• Match the stated reading age to the child, and check the description for themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these empathy books for?

Reading ages run from 3 to 7 years up to 4 to 8 years, most marked as from customers.

Which book includes activities?

It’s Brave to Be Kind pairs its story with activities and parent advice, and the Quilliam book includes teacher and parent discussion materials.

Are these books part of a series?

The dragon book is Book 24 of 68 in My Dragon Books; the dinosaur book is in Dinosaur and Friends.

Still deciding? Our top pickIt's Brave to Be Kind by Daniels

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Related lists

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

More lists: books about kindness, books about feelings, books about friendship.