8 Amazing Books That Teach Your Young Child About Friendship, Kindness & Compassion

But Not The Hippopotamus

By Sandra Boynton

Difficulty Level: 2-4 years

All the animals are having fun: a hog and a frog cavort in a bog and a cat and two rats are trying on hats... But not the shy hippopotamus. She is hesitant at first, but little by little, the hippo finds her courage and with a little encouragement of the others she joins the lot of them.

With over two million copies sold, this is an all-time favorite book for your little toddlers and preschoolers and with its fun, repetitive language a fun book to try for your budding readers.

Also available as an interactive iPhone and iPad app.

Bear’s New Friend

Written by Karma Wilson, Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Difficulty Level: 2-4 years

It is summer and Bear wants to play! As he looks for his friends, he hears a strange noise. He goes on a quick journey, following the noise and picking up all his friends on the way.

But who could make that noise?

Find out together who Bear's new friend is and talk about the ways we can make new friends by showing kindness and compassion towards strangers.

And if your kids love the stories about the bear and his friends, you can get other books from the series, such as "The Bear is scared" or "The Bear is Sick."

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Written by Philip C. Stead - Illustrated by Erin SteadDifficult Level: 4-8 yearsThis award-winning, 2011 Caldecott Medal 32-page book teaches us that friends come in all shapes and sizes.It is a beautifully told, heartwarming story about a chess-loving elephant, a racing tortoise, a shy penguin, a rhinoceros with a runny nose, an owl afraid of the dark and the kind, elderly zoo keeper. What will the animals do when their friend does not come and visits them?

Sylvester & the Magic PebbleBy William SteigSylvester Duncan lived with his father and mother and he loved pebbles.One day, while taking a walk he finds a beautiful pebble. He soon find out the pebble is magic and fulfils his every wish. But when facing a hungry lion, Sylvester is so scared he wishes he was a rock! He turns into a rock and the pebble falls next to him - unreachable...We follow his mother and father's search for their beloved son as they go through unimaginable sorrow and rejoice in the end with them as love triumphs.

Hazel’s Amazing Mother

By Rosemary WellsDifficulty: Grades K - 2Hazel takes her beloved doll Eleanor to buy something special for the picnic with her mother.But she takes a wrong turn and ends up lost. Mean Doris and the boys bully her, rip her doll into pieces and take her doll carriage.Her mother feels something is wrong and gets blown away with the picnic blanket to where Hazel is, frightened and sad.What will her mother do when she find out about the ripped doll?

The Empty PotBy DemiDifficult Level: 4-8 yearsA compassionate and kind person is also an honest person. The story of little Ping is all about honesty and integrity. It starts very mysteriously as the Emperor demands all the children come to the palace to receive special flower seeds. Whoever would show the monarch their best in one year, would succeed him to the throne. Ping planted his seed carefully in a pot, watered it, took care of it and waited... but nothing ever grew. Why did all the other children have beautiful flowers to present and what would the Emperor say when he saw the empty pot?A simple story, beautifully told.

OwenBy Lothar HenkesDifficulty: Grades K - 2"Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. He had it since he was a baby. He loved it with all his heart." But Owen would have to start school soon and you cannot bring a blanket to school!A beautiful story that emphasizes with the child as well as with the parents in the struggle to wean Owen of his beloved blanket. The parents tell him about the blanket fairy, they try reasoning and even dipping it in vinegar. Nothing works. Until mom has an idea...Amazing what can happen when you consider someone else's needs first! Witty, silly and lovable on every page.

The Giving TreeBy Shel SilversteinThe Giving Tree is a book of unconditional love. A boy and a tree become friends, they play and are happy. As the boy grows and his demands change, the tree gives everything he has to make the boy happy.As the boy grew into an elderly person, the tree has nothing more to give because is is just a stump. But that is just what the old man needed: to sit and rest. This book has many interpretations: religious, environmental, humanistic, from a friendship and even a parent-child relationship perspective. But no matter from what angle you look at it, it is a beautiful story.

About Cedar Hill Prep School, Somerset, NJ

Cedar Hill Preparatory School believes all children are gifted. However, the makeup of the Educational Environment is key to harnessing each child’s special gift. We feel children learn best in a safe, caring and nurturing environment that fosters partnerships between the family and the school. We aim to provide a diverse environment, abundant space and stimulating activities and we strive to empower children to reach their unique potential socially, physically, intellectually, and emotionally.

Want to learn more? Come and visit us: