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The Best Children’s Books About Giving

“What are the best Children’s books about Giving?” We looked at 62 of the top Kids Giving books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

The top 12 titles, all appearing on 2 or more “Best Kids Giving ” book lists, are ranked below by how many lists they appear on. The remaining 50 titles, as well as the lists we used are in alphabetical order at the bottom of the page.

Happy Scrolling!



Top 12 Best Children’s Books About Giving



12 .) Boxes for Katje written by Candace Fleming and Stacey Dressen-McQueen

Boxes for Katje

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Grow Your Giving

Simple seeds of friendship grow into something extraordinary After World War II there is little left in Katje’s town of Olst in Holland.



11 .) Last Stop on Market Street written by Matt de la Pena

Last Stop on Market Street

Lists It Appears On:

  • BuzzFeed
  • Doing Good Together

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.



10 .) The Gift of Nothing written by Patrick McDonnell

The Gift of Nothing

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Read Brightly

Mooch the cat tries to think of a gift to give his friend Earl the dog.



9 .) The Invisible Boy written by Trudy Ludwig

The Invisible Boy

Lists It Appears On:

  • BuzzFeed
  • Read Brightly

A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend… Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody 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 p A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend



8 .) The Quilt Maker’s Gift written by Jeff Brumbeau

The Quilt Maker’s Gift

Lists It Appears On:

  • Self Sufficient Kids
  • UMC Disciple Ship

When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.



7 .) Under the Lemon Moon written by Edith Hope

Under the Lemon Moon

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Self Sufficient Kids

The theft of all the lemons from her lemon tree leads Rosalinda to an encounter with la Anciana, the Old One, who walks the Mexican countryside helping things grow, and to an understanding of generosity and forgiveness.



6 .) One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference written by Katie Smith Milway

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference

Lists It Appears On:

  • Grow Your Giving
  • Read Brightly
  • UMC Disciple Ship

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many.



5 .) The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need written by Jan and Stan Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Grow Your Giving
  • Read Brightly

Stuff in the closets, stuff in the drawers, stuff in the attic–too much stuff everywhere! Mama Bear convinces the family that cleaning out the house can not only simplify their cluttered lives, but also benefit those who are in need!



4 .) Those Shoes written by Maribeth Boelts

Those Shoes

Lists It Appears On:

  • BuzzFeed
  • Doing Good Together
  • UMC Disciple Ship

But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story. “I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes.” All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.



3 .) The Spiffiest Giant in Town written by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler George

The Spiffiest Giant in Town

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Grow Your Giving
  • Read Brightly

George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So one day he visits a new shop that’s full of spiffy clothes. He buys new pants, a new shirt, a striped tie, and shiny shoes, and soon George is the spiffiest giant in town. But on his way home, George meets various animals who desperately need his help…and his clothes!



2 .) The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving written by Ellen Sabin

The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving

Lists It Appears On:

  • Barnes & Noble
  • Grow Your Giving
  • Self Sufficient Kids

This spiral-bound, book combines colorful illustrations and entertaining narrative with fun learning activities, inspiring youngsters to give back to the world.



1 .) The Giving Tree written by Shel Silverstein

The Giving Tree

Lists It Appears On:

  • BuzzFeed
  • Grow Your Giving
  • Read Brightly

“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.” So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.




The 50 Additional Best Kids Books About Or Featuring Giving



#BooksAuthorsLists
13A Chair for My MotherVera Williams.
Doing Good Together
14A Kid’s Guide to GivingFreddi ZeilerGrow Your Giving
15A Shelter in Our CarMonica Gunning
Doing Good Together
16A Sick Day for Amos McGeePhilip C. Stead and Erin E. SteadBuzzFeed
17Changing Places: A Kid’s View of Shelter LivingJudy Wallace
Doing Good Together
18Dear Mr. RosenwaldCarole Boston Weatherford
Doing Good Together
19Don’t Say a Word, MamaJoe HayesSelf Sufficient Kids
20Each KindnessJacqueline WoodsonBuzzFeed
21Enemy PieDerek MunsonBuzzFeed
22Fly Away HomeEve Bunting
Doing Good Together
23Give Me Half!Stuart J. MurphyGrow Your Giving
24Giving ThanksJonathan LondonSelf Sufficient Kids
25Giving Thanks: a Native American Good Morning MessageChief Jake SwampSelf Sufficient Kids
26Great JoyKate DiCamillo
Doing Good Together
27Harold Loves His Wooly Hat Read Brightly
28Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for KidsCarol McCloudBuzzFeed
29Horton Hears a WhoDr. SeussBuzzFeed
30Hungry Planet: What the World EatsPeter Menzel
Doing Good Together
31I’m Thankful Each Day!P. K. HallinanSelf Sufficient Kids
32It’s Mine! Read Brightly
33Lily and the Paper ManRebecca Upjohn
Doing Good Together
34Maddi’s FridgeLois Brandt
Doing Good Together
35Mama, I’ll Give You the WorldRoni SchotterGrow Your Giving
36Me First UMC Disciple Ship
37One Potato, Two PotatoCynthia DeFelice
Doing Good Together
38Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary DeedEmily Pearson and Fumi KosakaBuzzFeed
39Rude CakesRowboat WatkinsBuzzFeed
40Rufus and Ryan Give ThanksKathleen Long BostromGrow Your Giving
41Sam and the Lucky MoneyKaren Chinn
Doing Good Together
42Should I Share My Ice Cream?Mo WillemsSelf Sufficient Kids
43Strega Nona’s Harvest Read Brightly
44ThankfulEileen SpinelliSelf Sufficient Kids
45Thanks a MillionNikki GrimesSelf Sufficient Kids
46The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of GivingJan & Mike BerenstainSelf Sufficient Kids
47The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share UMC Disciple Ship
48
The Case of Stuart’s Ship: A Lesson in Stewardship
 UMC Disciple Ship
49The Clown of God UMC Disciple Ship
50
The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition
 UMC Disciple Ship
51The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having EnoughKatie Smith Milway
Doing Good Together
52The Lady in the BoxAnn McGovern
Doing Good Together
53The Man in the Clouds Read Brightly
54The Mitten Tree UMC Disciple Ship
55The Teddy BearDavid McPhail
Doing Good Together
56The Thankful BookTodd ParrSelf Sufficient Kids
57The Three QuestionsJon J MuthBuzzFeed
58Tight TimesBarbara Shook Hazen
Doing Good Together
59Too Many Toys UMC Disciple Ship
60Uncle Willie and the Soup KitchenDyAnn DiSalvo-Ryan
Doing Good Together
61We All Sing With the Same VoiceJ. Philip Miller and Sheppard M. GreeneBuzzFeed
62What Is Given from the Heart Read Brightly


7 Best Giving Children’s Book Sources/Lists



SourceArticle
Barnes & Noble 6 Picture Books About the Joy of Giving
BuzzFeed 13 Children’s Books That Encourage Kindness Toward Others
Doing Good Together Picture Books that Illuminate Hunger, Poverty, & Homelessness
Grow Your Giving 10 Children’s Books About Giving
Read Brightly 11 Picture Books to Teach Children About Giving to Others
Self Sufficient Kids 12 of the Best Children’s Books About Gratitude and Generosity
UMC Disciple Ship Children’s Books on Giving, Sharing, and Generosity