Children’s Books about Kindness and Friendship
I’ve got two great children’s books about kindness and friendship to share with you, and you can find out more about them below. One teaches kindness in a funny way and the other in a way that will resonate with parents and their children.
Rabbit’s Bad Habits
by Julian Gough and Jim Field
- Age Range: 6 – 8 years
- Grade Level: 1 – 3
- Series: Rabbit & Bear
- Hardcover: 112 pages
- Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books (January 8, 2019)
Avalanches, snowmen, a hungry wolf…and more!
When Bear wakes up early from her hibernation, she decides to build a snowman. Her grumpy neighbor, Rabbit, decides to build an even better one. Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits is full of laugh-out-loud moments and chronicles the forming of an unlikely friendship.
With illustrations throughout, this chapter book is perfect for middle grade readers and is sure to become a fun favorite on any kid’s bookshelf.
From Kirkus:
“A bear’s kindness and generosity sweeten a grumpy rabbit’s sour outlook in this wintry woodland encounter. Gough aims both high and low. On the one hand, he shows how the peaceable responses of Bear, equanimity unshaken despite discovering that her food stores have disappeared, to Rabbit’s rude comments and behavior gradually work a profound change in his character—and on the other, in the course of their exchanges, he has the long-eared lagomorph deliver a clinically explicit, hilariously extended disquisition on why his kind eats its own poo.
Bear goes even further, saving Rabbit from an attacking wolf and then, when he shamefacedly produces the food that he had (yes) stolen earlier, inviting him to join her for a moonlit picnic and a snuggle in her cozy den.
The narrative, laid out in short, well-leaded lines, likewise snuggles on every page with Field’s duotone cartoon scenes of the two furry figures meeting, parting, starting separate snowmen but ultimately coming together to finish one, and finally sharing a honeycomb and other goodies before bedding down in the warm den.
When, showing a newly awakened sense of compassion, Rabbit wonders if the snowman is lonely, Bear has the perfect solution: “In the morning,” she murmurs drowsily, “we can make him a friend.”
Young readers will come away with fresh insights into both poo and peacemaking.” (Animal fantasy. 6-8) (Starred Review Kirkus)
My Review
Rabbit’s Bad Habits is such a funny book! This children’s book that teaches kids about kindness and friendship and getting along with each other. The story, along with the illustrations, make this the perfect book for kids of all ages. They will love how grumpy rabbit has a change of heart because of bear’s gentle ways. It’s a great read aloud or a middle grade reader. You’ll have so much fun reading this with your kids!
The Peace Dragon
by Linda Ragsdale and Marco Furlotti
- Age Range: 5 – 8 years
- Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
- Series: Peace Dragon Tales
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Flowerpot Pr (September 12, 2018)
Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem… sometimes they are better. When a young explorer comes upon a dragon he quickly learns he shouldn’t jump to conclusions. This is no ordinary dragon. This is a Peace Dragon and she is spreading a message of peace the whole world should hear. Join them in this journey that teaches about love and trust and the importance of embracing others for who they are, not how they appear.
My Review
The Peace Dragon is such a wonderful children’s book about kindness, friendship, love and acceptance. What would you think if you ran into a dragon? Of course, you’d be scared! You wouldn’t want to give them a chance to show you that they’re friendly or spreading a message of peace. Now relate that to real life. What do you do when you meet someone you don’t share the same thoughts with? Do you embrace their differences or run away? The message in The Peace Dragon is one that everyone should hear.
Author Linda Ragsdale
Visit The Peace Dragon website to learn more about Linda and The Peace Dragon project. Be sure to visit the resources for parents and teachers page.
Want to find ways to spread kindness as a family? I’ve got a post for you! Go find 25 ways to do that now.
Rabbit’s Bad Habits and The Peace Dragon both look like books which resonate with both kids and adults. I enjoy the illustrations and my 3 grandsons like reading along with my autistic nephew.