Big-Hearted Story Collections that Inspire Compassion

Teach empathy and discover exceptional stories.

Literary compilations of stories and poems can be incredibly helpful. Keep one in the car for road trips or the unexpected traffic jam. Or toss one in your purse or diaper bag, to entertain weary little ones in the waiting room.

However you use them, your family will delight in the variety of the stories in these hand-picked collections.

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Conversation Starters

• How would you feel if you faced the situation in the story?

• What would you do differently?

• What does it mean to be wise? To have courage? To live generously?

• How would we know if someone was having a bad day and may need a little extra kindness?

• What are some safe and simple ways to share kindness with a stranger?

• What acts of kindness have others shared with you recently? How did they make you feel?

• Have you ever thought of doing a kind thing for a stranger, but decided not to out of nervousness? How could you overcome your shyness in the future?

Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom for you to Read withYour Child to Enchant, Enlighten and Inspire by Dharmachari Nagaraja
This book contains 20 modernized versions of ancient Buddhist stories. Most are full of whimsy and wonder, spurring on creative play, even as they teach about kindness, courage, and peace. Each story ends with a short restatement of the moral for reinforcement.

Children’s Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett
You may have read this classic as a child. Former secretary of education William Bennett shares stories, fables, and poem conveying virtues we all hope to share, including courage, compassion, and loyalty among many others. Some of the stories are very familiar (as in Aesop’s fables) others are quirky and new. One or two are somewhat dated, but on the whole, this is a wonderful book to read and discuss together.

Frederick and His Friends: Four Favorite Fables by Leo Lioni
Younger readers will love Frederick, the fieldmouse poet, and friends from the other tales, teaching friendship, courage, and speaking p.

I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman
This collection is exceptional with a wonderful combination of stories, poetry, and art. The works in this treasury do not simply teach and inspire. They are literary jewels, beautiful in and of themselves, making them a delight to sit down with your children to savor words so perfectly crafted.

James Herriot’s Treasury of Inspirational Stories for Children by James Herriot
The author of All Creatures Great and Small brings us eight heart-warming, occasionally heart-breaking tales. Little animal lovers will go nuts for these stories.  While morals and virtues are not so heavily emphasized in this collection,  the stories easily lend themselves to big-hearted discussions.

Kids' Random Acts of Kindness by Conari Press
This collection is sure to inspire your family’s next kindness activity. Nothing motivates kids – or adults – like a good example, which is exactly what these stories provide. While they may not be classic children’s literature, they will certainly spark the spirit of giving.

Tales of Wisdom and Wonder (with CD) by Hugh Lupton
The musical CD included with this collection makes it ideal for road trips or traffic jams, and it is sure to captivate your audience. This book features seven stories from a variety of cultures. They are expertly crafted, and perfect for reading aloud repeatedly to young children. As the title declares, there is a bit of wisdom in each tale to get a conversation started.

Haven't found what you're looking for?
Visit our Complete Resource List.

Or check out these projects to inspire your next act of kindness.

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Disclaimer:  Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.

Picture Books to Inspire Environmental Justice Seekers

Get inspired to protect earth’s resources!

This list is designed to inspire your child to protect the earth and her resources for everyone. We've included fiction, historical fiction, and many nonfiction titles that offer practical tips and inspiring tales of earth-friendly acts of compassion.

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Talk about the issue

Parents, this book is an incredible tool to help you talk about and take action for our climate!

• Engage your children in a problem-solving mindset:

  • What good things are we already doing in our daily life to protect the earth’s resources?

  • What environmental challenges or changes have you noticed in our neighborhood, community, state, nation, or the world?

  • What changes can our family make right now to take even better care of our planet?

• Ask questions that prompt conversations about environmental ethics:

  • Why should we walk instead of drive to the park?

  • When trash disappears into the garbage truck, wastewater disappears down the drain or car exhaust disappears into the sky, where does it go?

  • If waste doesn’t stay and make our home or neighborhood dirty, why is it important to reduce our waste and speak up for a cleaner world?

• Acknowledge tough choices ("It's hard to know how far to turn down the thermostat in the winter."), and make a point to discuss your family’s environmental values.

• Explain that simple decisions can have an impact, like coloring on both sides of the page, turning off the water when you brush your teeth or turning out lights when you leave a room. 

• But make it clear that no family can protect earth’s resources all on their own. Raise your voice for collective solutions with DGT’s kid-friendly printable advocacy sheets or sign-up to volunteer with a local environmental justice organization.

“Make time to discuss the books you read and the service projects you do together. By talking intentionally and openly about complicated ideas, you are giving your child the opportunity to strengthen their compassion, problem-solving, and empathy muscles. ”

— Sarah Aadland, Doing Good Together

Print DGT’s reflection guide when you volunteer to heal the earth. Also, click here for our complete list of reflection guides.

Our Featured Title

We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal, this lyrical story offers lessons in resilliance, celebration, and the importance of protecting and honoring the many ways all life on earth is connected.

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More DGT Favorites

365 Ways to Live Green for Kids: Saving the Environment at Home, School, or at Play–Every Day! by Sheri Amsel
Simple ideas for how kids can protect the earth.

The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle:  A Story About Recycling by Allison Inches
Ever wonder what happens when you recycle a plastic bottle? Follow its journey from your recycling bin to its new life as you learn about the importance of recycling.

Begin with a Bee by Liza Ketchum, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, and Phyllis Root
This poetic, life-cycle study of bumblebees encourages readers to recognize the part we all play in protecting the natural world.

The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Ghol
In this beautiful, award-winning book, you’ll meet Jadav Payeng, the boy who noticed the terrible impact of deforestation on his island home in India. Follow Payeng as he decided to do something about this devastation, reminding us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.

The Berenstain Bears Go Green by Jan Berenstain and Mike Berenstain
When the Berenstain family discovers that the town dump is overflowing, they must find a way to fix the problem before it's too late.

 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
When drought struck fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba's Malawi village, everyone struggled. Failing crops meant there wasn't enough money to attend school, so William spent his time in the library where he discovered and became an expert in the power of wind. This true story of a boy who brought electricity to his village is as exciting and inspiring as any fiction picture book.

Colonel Trash Truck by Kathleen Crawley
The colonel is on a mission to protect the beauty of the earth by cleaning up litter — and convincing others to do the same.

Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq
Join Fatima on an adventure that illustrates the calm and confidence that can be learned while spending time in nature, making new family members, and appreciating strong family roots.

The Greening Book by Ellen Sabin
Through activities and exercises, The Greening Book teaches children that they can make a difference in the future of our planet.

Heal The Earth: A White Feather Flier Adventure by Julian Lennon
This clever book ignites imagination and invites little readers on a journey to heal the earth. Best for readers ages 5 and under.

Here Comes the Garbage Barge by Jonah Winter
This hilarious story is sure to inspire your whole family to be mindful of your environmental impact.

Jayden’s Impossible Garden by Mélina Mangal
Jayden’s story highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the power of perseverance in bringing a community garden to life.

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
What's so important about taking care of the earth anyway? Walter discovers in the answer in a captivating vision of the future. The illustrations alone will inspire your whole family, and the ending will inspire a discussion about what your family can do to create a brighter future.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Lorax, who speaks for the trees, warns the Once-ler that there are lasting consequences of cutting down trees. In case you've missed it, this book is also an exceptional animated film.

The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
The beloved Ms. Frizzle not only explains climate change with both humor and science but empowers kids to help solve the crisis. In true Magic School Bus fashion, this book captivates children while delivering a critical message.

The Michael Recycle series by Ellie Bethel
Recycling is a superpower! This endearingly entertaining series features Michael encouraging people to recycle and get creative in various situations.

Nibi Emosaawdang /The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson (In English and Ojibwe)
An inspiring story of Josephine Mandamin, an Anishinaabe First Nations elder, who advocated for the protection of water. With vibrant illustrations and valuable teachings, it is a perfect reminder of our responsibility to Mother Earth.

Not for Me Please: I Choose to Act Green by Maria Godsey
This clever, rhyming tale introduces early elementary students to different ways they can “act green.” Join Luke as he role models how children can use the phrase “not for me” to step up and take action on behalf of the environment. Full of relatable examples and lively illustrations, this book is a fun way to reinvigorate your conservation habits.

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul
How much mess can one plastic bag create? Find out in this compelling story, and follow Ceesay in her creative effort to clean up.

Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf by Olivia Bouler
Olivia drew and painted pictures of birds to raise money for wildlife affected by the Gulf oil spill in 2010, and in this book, she tells her story.

The Problem of the Hot World by Pam Bonsper
Five forest friends band together to teach an important lesson about global warming. Realizing that there are serious problems in their surroundings, these critters take a journey to figure out what’s causing them. Best for readers ages 5 and under.

Rocket Says Clean Up by Nathon Byron
Rocket visits her grandparents, where she loves to explore the beach. When she discovers the beach is clogged with trash, she knows she has to do something!

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker
This fictional tale with a historical backdrop, this moving story illustrates the dangers of disrupting the natural world and encourages everyone to make a difference in whatever way they can. Ming-Li’s country had declared sparrows the enemy of the farmers and announced a great "Sparrow War" to banish them from China. Ming-Li did not want to chase the birds away and vowed to save as many sparrows as she could, one by one.

This title isn’t currently available on Amazon but is available at World Saving Books.

The Tantrum that Saved the World by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann

This unique book is told in two parts. First, it tells the story of a little girl who inherits a big problem she didn’t ask for, gets really frustrated, and then channels all of her energy into action. Then, it takes care to explain the science of climate change in non-threatening, non-terrifying language for kids. It even includes an action plan families can follow after they read the book.

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor
A pioneer in the field of environmentalism, this picture book tells of how Rachel Carson overcame opposition from family and friends to become the author of the famed book, Silent Spring, which linked the effects of humans to the changes in the environment.

Snowy White World to Save by Stephanie Lisa Tara
Mama Polar Bear and her cubs are facing down the real impact of climate change.

What Happens to Our Trash? by D. J. Ward
Discover what happens to garbage and recycling once it’s disposed of.

Why Should I Series:
Why Should I Protect Nature?
Why Should I Recycle?
Why Should I Save Water?
Why Should I Save Energy?

All by Jen Green and Mike Gordon. This four-book series answers children’s questions about the environment and demonstrates the importance of protecting nature.

Wangari’s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter
The story of Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner who planted over 30 million trees in Kenya and helped reshape her country’s approach to nature.

What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French
Informative, engaging, and eye-opening, this book introduces elementary-aged kids to the idea that nothing can ever be truly thrown “away.” Walk away with strategies to conserve resources at home and the inspiration to stick with those strategies.

Back to Read Together for more book lists...

Haven't found what you're looking for?
Visit our Complete Resource List.

Or check out these projects to heal the earth.

Disclaimer:  Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.