I’m a sucker for kids books. Are you?
I’m picky though. Over the years I’ve really honed in on a certain type of kids book that I want to have him my home. I love beautifully illustrated books and stories that teach my girls how to love and treat others.
I actually think my dad got me hooked on beautiful children’s stories that are beautifully illustrated. He has a crazy deep love for reading, so whether it’s from me or my dad, the girls are continually receiving new books.
My my point of view though, books are always a worthy investment. Not only do they aid in language development, but they can help develop character.
Our world is a great big world and one we cannot shelter our children from for forever. And, if second grade has taught me anything, it’s that our kids will be exposed to the realities of this world a whole lot sooner than we might like. Be that as it may though, no matter what comes my girls’ way, I want them to be a light. I want them to be a reflection of God’s love for ALL humans. I want them to know and love ALL people. To know and love and fight for the least of them. To be steadfast and steady in their love for others despite what the world might try to sway them with.
I vow to raise my girls to be open-minded, to love unconditionally, to fight for the least of them, and to value all lives, all humans.
If you resonate with this sentiment, I have compiled a list of books that I believe are inspirational and educational for children. Books that will inspire them to love others with open hearts. Books that will open their minds to the reality of our world. Books that will help them see others through a lens of love and celebration.
created a list for you all – save it and reference it for those random times you need to buy a birthday present for a little or a book for your kiddo!
Kids’ Books To Inspire And Educate Your Children:
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PURPLE PEOPLE
We just got this book this week and love it! It’s written by Kristen Bell and the storyline is great. It’s about how when you mix red and blue you get purple. Purple is the ideal color to be and in order to be a “purple person,” you must learn to develop certain qualities such as working hard, finding your voice, sticking up for others, listening to others, etc. It’s honestly a book all of us adults need too right now!
HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY?
I first fell in love with this book several years ago when my girls were fighting nonstop. My friend recommended it and I’m so glad she did. This sweet story talks about what it means to “fill someone’s bucket” aka build them up, be kind to them, love them, etc. It also talks about how we can take from people’s buckets by being rude or unkind. It’s a very simple illustration that can have a very big impact on your kids. One of my daughter’s teachers even uses this in her classroom!
I TALK LIKE A RIVER
This book will most definitely make you cry a river. This is possibly the sweetest story about a boy that struggles with his stutter. His father compares his son’s speech to that of a river and it will have you in tears before you finish it. Even Travis cried the first time we read this to our girls!
THE LION AND THE BIRD
Oh Lordy, this book is top 5 kids books for me. This story is beautifully illustrated and is the sweetest story. It’s a story about a sweet friendship that develops between a lion and an injured bird.
DEAR GIRL,: A CELEBRATION OF WONDERFUL, SMART, BEAUTIFUL YOU!
I recommend this book to any mom of a girl. As it states in it’s description, it’s “a gentle reminder that [your girl is] powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world!
Dear, Boy version HERE.
WILD
This story has been a favorite for years. It’s a very simple, very beautifully illustrated story about a girl that simply doesn’t fit in with the rest of the world. In the end, it’s her “wild” spirit that makes her beautiful as opposed to her ability to fit in.
I AM HUMAN: A BOOK OF EMPATHY
From the Amazon description: “I Am Human affirms that we can make good choices by acting with compassion and having empathy for others and ourselves. When we find common ground, we can feel connected to the great world around us and mindfully strive to be our best selves.”
Empathy is hard to teach and something we all need more of. I highly recommend this book!
THE BLUE SONGBIRD
This story is a great story about how to find your “song.” No matter how hard we try, someone else’s song can never be ours. It isn’t until we find our own voice, our own “song” that we experience true joy!
TINY, PERFECT THINGS
This book is a great book about how to learn to open your eyes and observe the beauty that is all around us every single day.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS
This books demonstrates the beautiful diversity we have in our world and shows how we can navigate this world with grace and kindness using mindful affirmations. We are strong and resilient in the face of challenges! We can do hard things!
THE DAY YOU BEGIN
This is a story about how we all feel like we don’t fit in sometimes. How it can be hard when we feel different from others, but we are strong enough to keep moving forward. How even when we feel totally alone, sometimes someone comes alongside us and befriends us.
THE LITTLE GARDENER
This is a beautiful story about how even the grimmest, most hopeless situations can change and produce something truly beautiful.
NOT QUITE NARWHAL
I love this book and think it’s so relatable for Elementary age kids. It’s a story about this narwhal that’s not quite a narwhal and not quite a unicorn. It’s a story of being unique and not fitting in perfectly. It’s a story about how being uniquely you is the most beautiful thing you can do!
CHANGE SINGS: A CHILDREN’S ANTHEM
Anyone else preorder Amanda Gorman’s children’s book after hearing her deliver her poem at the inauguration? I can’t wait for this book to arrive based on the Amazon description alone: “As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves.”
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