Emotional intelligence is at the core of a happy and meaningful life.

By teaching positive character traits—like compassion and gratitude—we give our children the tools to self-motivate, build positive relationships, and effectively manage stress and worry. And books can play a crucial role in this process! By reading stories with our children, we can introduce characters that our children can empathize with and open the door to conversations about emotions.

In fact, this is the premise of my resource Raising Kind, Caring, Good Kids!

First, you read a short story with your child. The eight stories each focus on a positive character trait and feature an animal facing a dilemma. The story encourages your child to empathize with the animal and think about what they could do and what they should do.

Next, you learn about the traits with discussions and activities. Your child finds and learns synonyms for the character trait in the story, gains a deeper understanding of the trait through a conversation prompt, and completes meaningful activities.

And finally, your child earns their affirmation badge!

You can grab a sample of Raising Kind, Caring, Good Kids that includes the first story and activities all about Graham, the Gracious Gorilla, right here:

Children’s Books for Teaching Emotional Intelligence

In this post, I gathered 12 children’s books that are perfect for children and caregivers looking to explore positive character traits and emotional intelligence together. There are book suggestions for the same character traits that we cover in Raising Kind, Caring, Good Kids:

1. Graciousness
2. Responsibility
3. Compassion
4. Honesty
5. Kindness
6. Hopefulness
7. Gratitude
8. Courage

Plus a few extra bonus books at the end! So let’s dive into the list of children’s books for teaching emotional intelligence:

#1. Graciousness

What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick

If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal… right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules…and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

#2. Responsibility

A Little SPOT of Responsibility: A Story About Making Good Choices by Diane Alber

A Story about making good choices.

Every time you make a good choice, your responsibility spot grows, and it makes you feel more confident and happy! This story is about a little responsibility spot that shows you ways you can make good choices to grow your responsibility spot.

#3. Compassion

I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde

Celebrate kindness, compassion, self-care, and love in all its forms in this beautifully illustrated book! Love means showing kindness, living with gratitude, and taking care of our minds and bodies. Letting our hearts lead the way can help move us closer to a better world. “I put my hands on my heart and listen. And that is where I find the answer: I have compassion. I act with tenderness. I am love.”

#4. Honesty

The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot! by Scott Magoon

A classic tale with a timeless message gets a hugely hilarious twist. He’s big. He’s funny. He’s not real. Or IS he? This clever twist on “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” is told from the point of view of an unexpected narrator and, through snappy text and lighthearted illustrations, demonstrates the value of telling the truth, the importance of establishing trust, and (of course!) the possibility that a beast you created to get attention can become a real-life friend.

#5. Kindness

Kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup

Harsh words, disagreements, and shouting can cause friendships to bend and sometime break. Friends are sad when they’re left out, and once a mean word is spoken, it’s impossible to take it back. But what if we were to spread kindness instead? Offering words of encouragement, sharing, caring for others, and playing together all help to make friendships stronger—and we are certainly stronger together!

#6. Hopefulness

Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist

When Little Mole is feeling sad in his dark, underground home, his mother shows him how to look for hope. He finds that signs of spring are everywhere, from the daffodil bulbs under the soil to the tiny buds on the branches above. Hope can be found—even in the darkest places.

#7. Gratitude

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.

#8. Courage

The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright

A bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar. Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes … and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!

And More Children’s Books for Teaching Emotional Intelligence!

The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes by Brenda Li

A powerful growth mindset book that builds resilience in children and prepares them for life’s adversities. Kids will feel strong, confident, and ready to pursue their biggest dreams!

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do. When you’re a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!

The Invisible Boy by Tracy Ludwig

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party …until, that is, a new kid comes to class. When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

This award-winning modern classic—a must-have for every child’s home library—is an inclusive ode to kindness, empathy, gratitude, and finding joy in unexpected places, and celebrates the special bond between a curious young boy and his loving grandmother.

Raising Kind, Caring, Good Kids

I hope you found some new books to check out at your next library visit!

And if you’re ready to give your little one the tools to become the very best version of themselves, you’ll also want to check out Raising Kind, Caring, Good Kids right here: https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/raising-kind-caring-good-kids

xo
Sarah