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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
# | Books | Authors | Lists |
13 | A Chair for My Mother | Vera Williams. | Doing Good Together |
14 | A Kid’s Guide to Giving | Freddi Zeiler | Grow Your Giving |
15 | A Shelter in Our Car | Monica Gunning | Doing Good Together |
16 | A Sick Day for Amos McGee | Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead | BuzzFeed |
17 | Changing Places: A Kid’s View of Shelter Living | Judy Wallace | Doing Good Together |
18 | Dear Mr. Rosenwald | Carole Boston Weatherford | Doing Good Together |
19 | Don’t Say a Word, Mama | Joe Hayes | Self Sufficient Kids |
20 | Each Kindness | Jacqueline Woodson | BuzzFeed |
21 | Enemy Pie | Derek Munson | BuzzFeed |
22 | Fly Away Home | Eve Bunting | Doing Good Together |
23 | Give Me Half! | Stuart J. Murphy | Grow Your Giving |
24 | Giving Thanks | Jonathan London | Self Sufficient Kids |
25 | Giving Thanks: a Native American Good Morning Message | Chief Jake Swamp | Self Sufficient Kids |
26 | Great Joy | Kate DiCamillo | Doing Good Together |
27 | Harold Loves His Wooly Hat | Read Brightly | |
28 | Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids | Carol McCloud | BuzzFeed |
29 | Horton Hears a Who | Dr. Seuss | BuzzFeed |
30 | Hungry Planet: What the World Eats | Peter Menzel | Doing Good Together |
31 | I’m Thankful Each Day! | P. K. Hallinan | Self Sufficient Kids |
32 | It’s Mine! | Read Brightly | |
33 | Lily and the Paper Man | Rebecca Upjohn | Doing Good Together |
34 | Maddi’s Fridge | Lois Brandt | Doing Good Together |
35 | Mama, I’ll Give You the World | Roni Schotter | Grow Your Giving |
36 | Me First | UMC Disciple Ship | |
37 | One Potato, Two Potato | Cynthia DeFelice | Doing Good Together |
38 | Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed | Emily Pearson and Fumi Kosaka | BuzzFeed |
39 | Rude Cakes | Rowboat Watkins | BuzzFeed |
40 | Rufus and Ryan Give Thanks | Kathleen Long Bostrom | Grow Your Giving |
41 | Sam and the Lucky Money | Karen Chinn | Doing Good Together |
42 | Should I Share My Ice Cream? | Mo Willems | Self Sufficient Kids |
43 | Strega Nona’s Harvest | Read Brightly | |
44 | Thankful | Eileen Spinelli | Self Sufficient Kids |
45 | Thanks a Million | Nikki Grimes | Self Sufficient Kids |
46 | The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving | Jan & Mike Berenstain | Self Sufficient Kids |
47 | The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share | UMC Disciple Ship | |
48 | The Case of Stuart’s Ship: A Lesson in Stewardship | UMC Disciple Ship | |
49 | The Clown of God | UMC Disciple Ship | |
50 | The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition | UMC Disciple Ship | |
51 | The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough | Katie Smith Milway | Doing Good Together |
52 | The Lady in the Box | Ann McGovern | Doing Good Together |
53 | The Man in the Clouds | Read Brightly | |
54 | The Mitten Tree | UMC Disciple Ship | |
55 | The Teddy Bear | David McPhail | Doing Good Together |
56 | The Thankful Book | Todd Parr | Self Sufficient Kids |
57 | The Three Questions | Jon J Muth | BuzzFeed |
58 | Tight Times | Barbara Shook Hazen | Doing Good Together |
59 | Too Many Toys | UMC Disciple Ship | |
60 | Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen | DyAnn DiSalvo-Ryan | Doing Good Together |
61 | We All Sing With the Same Voice | J. Philip Miller and Sheppard M. Greene | BuzzFeed |
62 | What Is Given from the Heart | Read Brightly |
7 Best Giving Children’s Book Sources/Lists
Source | Article |
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 |