Building Empathy One Picture Book at a Time
I’m Courtney Frazier, founder of Ramona Recommends and a fifth-grade teacher in Orange County, California. Around here, we Open the Magic using picture books that create Confetti Moments—those magical connections between reader and story that leave a lasting impact. Today, I’m thrilled to share a collection of picture books about empathy and kindness that do more than entertain—they transform.
These heartwarming stories foster emotional intelligence, teach acceptance, and invite students to celebrate both differences and similarities. Through rich narratives and vivid illustrations, children begin to understand complex social topics with clarity and compassion. Let’s dive into these books that help kids make the world a little brighter—one page at a time.
Islandborn
By Junot Díaz, Islandborn tells the story of Lola. Lola is asked to draw her birthplace—an island she left as a baby. As she gathers stories from her family and community, Lola begins to see the vibrant culture, history, and heart that define her heritage. This touching tale celebrates identity, storytelling, and belonging.
Classroom Ideas:
- Host a cultural sharing circle where students bring stories, traditions, or favorite dishes from their backgrounds.
- Invite students to draw a map of a meaningful place—real or imagined—and label it with personal memories and traditions.
Misunderstood Shark
In Ame Dyckman’s book, Misunderstood Shark, Shark has a problem: his grin scares everyone away! Despite his efforts to make friends, his intentions are constantly misunderstood. This laugh-out-loud story offers an important reminder to look beyond appearances and embrace each other’s true selves.
Classroom Ideas:
- Practice partner role-play with scenarios about friendship and communication.
- Create a feelings chart to track characters’ emotions and explore how misunderstandings occur and are resolved.
Mixed: A Colorful Story
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung shows a world where colors live separately, everything changes when two colors fall in love and mix. What follows is a joyful celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the beauty of blending differences.
Classroom Ideas:
- Have students write or illustrate a personal experience where being different felt special.
- Discuss how those unique traits add value to their classroom “color mix.”
Hannah and Sugar
Kate Berube’s story, Hannah and Sugar takes us through a challenge a lot of our students pace: moving. Moving to a new place is hard—but with her dog Sugar by her side, Hannah finds courage, kindness, and unexpected friendship. This gentle story captures the emotional ups and downs of change and the comfort found in connection.
Classroom Ideas:
- Start a “Friendship Tree” bulletin board. Let students add leaves with names of friends or classmates they’d like to get to know.
- Encourage journal entries about moments when they’ve shown or received kindness in new situations.
Neck and Neck
Neck and Neck is a playful twist on a classic race, a turtle and a confident hare compete—but the real lesson is about perseverance, teamwork, and respecting different strengths. Readers cheer as both characters shine in their own ways.
Classroom Ideas:
- Compare and contrast the turtle and the hare’s traits with a character chart.
- Facilitate a discussion on the value of perseverance and how each student brings something unique to the table.
Need More SEL Book Ideas?
If you’re looking for even more picture books about empathy and kindness, I created the SEL Picture Book Guide just for you! Inside, you’ll find curated titles, guiding questions, and shopping links to make lesson planning easier. Passionate read-alouds start here—and I’m here to help every step of the way. Click here to get your guide!
Need help bringing out passion in your read aloud? I got you! Just click here.
How about books specific to Self-Awareness and Self-Management? Check them out on this blog!
