Teaching Empathy Through Children’s Books: How Kindness Can Help Preve

Teaching Empathy Through Children’s Books: How Kindness Can Help Prevent Bullying

April 13, 2026 by Intern Ana C

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Why Picture Books Like Just Because… and The Lonely Zebra Help Children Build Empathy, Kindness, and Emotional Intelligence

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Empathy is more than just feeling sad for another person and offering them comfort. It’s also sharing feelings with them. There’s an idiom: “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” It doesn’t literally mean to wear another person’s pair of shoes. It actually means to understand what someone is going through and why they act in certain ways.

When I was a kid, empathy was barely taught in my schools. Educators were more focused on growing our math and reading skills, but didn’t consider teaching us how to be kind and understanding people. And because of that, many of us judged and bullied one another. Some kids may think it’s funny to call names, but they don’t understand that bullying can leave a long-lasting impact on other children. These impacts include depression, anxiety, isolation, and possibly suicide. Another thing I find concerning is that sometimes educators will stay focused on their jobs that they won’t notice when children are getting hurt.

Why does this matter? It matters because bullied children will grow up believing they are unwanted, unloved, and don’t belong. They will feel alone and scared. Without empathy, hatred will overpower love. We mustn’t let hatred be the only thing we know. If we teach young kids to be empathetic as early as possible, they will grow into kind, accepting, brave, and understanding adults.

It’s a good thing I came across some beloved picture books that teach powerful lessons on empathy. Not only were they simple and colorful, but they were also compelling.

Acceptance Starts Early: Teaching Kids to Embrace Differences

Just Because… by C.M. Harris tells the story of a teacher hiding a secret from her students. She quacks like a duck and has no control over it. Mrs. Freckle feared judgment if the kids learned about her secret. When she quacked the first time, the students were surprised, but instead of laughing at her, they accepted her and shared their secrets!

This picture book felt like a warm blanket. I saw myself in Mrs. Freckle, and seeing those little kids being more kind and understanding tugged my heart.

Many people have quirks, but when they are shown in public, children and adults will make judgmental assumptions. Mrs. Freckle from Just Because quoted, “Just because I tend to quack does not mean I am a duck!” People with disabilities will do things that might seem confusing to others. When people are confused, they will say hurtful things to those with disabilities. But that never helps them understand better, and it never contributes kindness to those who need it most.

We must try to understand why certain people will do quirky things because there is more to individuals than meets the eye. C.H. Harris does an excellent job of delivering a thoughtful message about acceptance to both kids and adults.

From Bullying to Belonging: How Friendship Changes Everything

The other picture book, The Lonely Zebra, told a heartwarming story about friendship and kindness. It followed a young Zebra named Zola, who felt sad and lonely after her best friend moved away. When she befriended the new neighbor, Sara the black swan, Zola learned to overcome her fears and make more friends at the waterhole, especially with a supposed bully.

The Lonely Zebra is the book that everyone needs to read right now. When a child deals with bullying, their first instinct is to hide. When a good friend comes into their life, they try things they thought they never dared to try. They also don’t have to face their battles alone.

What I loved about the book was that it explained why Zola’s bully, a hyena, made fun of her stripes. He took accountability, apologized sincerely, and promised to be a better friend. Kids will act mean because they’ve been hurt or they are feeling bad about themselves, but that doesn’t make it right. Just like Zola, children will find it in their hearts to forgive and give people another chance.

The Lonely Zebra told a powerful story on learning to stand up to bullies and being kind.

How to Use Children’s Books to Teach Empathy and Prevent Bullying

When parents, teachers, and librarians read Just Because… and The Lonely Zebra, they will expect heartwarming tales filled with colorful illustrations, fun rhyming, and important life lessons. They are perfect books for a classroom read-aloud to children ages 5-8. Picture books are a fantastic resource to teach empathy to developing children. They may be entertaining stories to adults, but they are the best therapy for children.

There is so much chaos and hate in this world, and little kids need a whimsical world to escape to.

I highly encourage schools to teach empathy daily, so there will be less bullying. Children will never have to turn into bullies or victims. Teaching kids to be good students is important, but so is teaching them to be good people. Reading picture books like Just Because… and The Lonely Zebra will make a big difference.

Empathy is a skill, and it will take time for people to learn, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on humanity. Keep holding on to hope. Keep reading books. Be kind. Be empathetic.

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Teach Kindness Through Stories That Matter

Looking for children’s books that teach empathy, kindness, and anti-bullying lessons?

Start with:

Just Because… by C.M. Harris

The Lonely Zebra by C.M. Harris

These books are perfect for:

Classrooms

School counselors

Parents

Librarians

Social emotional learning programs

Help children become kind, confident, and compassionate readers.

Explore more meaningful children’s books at Purple Diamond Press and start building a library that makes a difference today.

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The Lonely Zebra Book by C.M. Harris - Front Cover

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The Lonely Zebra Book by C.M. Harris - sample page of the book

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The Lonely Zebra

$16.00

Discover the Courage to Stand Up & Use Your Voice in The Lonely Zebra!

In The Lonely Zebra by award-winning author C.M. Harris, children will journey alongside Zola as she learns to embrace her unique stripes and the power of forgiveness. This beautifully illustrated story teaches young readers about kindness, inclusion, and standing up for what’s right.

With a touching narrative and heartfelt moments, The Lonely Zebra inspires children to be brave, to forgive, and to celebrate differences. Zola’s story resonates with kids who have ever felt left out or different, empowering them to see the beauty in diversity.

Perfect for classrooms, storytime, or as a cherished gift, this hardcover edition features captivating illustrations that bring the grasslands to life. Complete with a Kindness Challenge, the book encourages readers to take meaningful actions in their own lives.

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Building a Diverse Bookshelf: Encouraging Inclusivity in Children’s Lit + 6 Diverse Picture Books

Why is it important to have a diverse bookshelf? Well, there are so many reasons!

As a child, sometimes it can be difficult to be different from the other kids. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to teach children that they are valued and seen. Sometimes, being a child with friends or classmates who can’t relate to you can feel isolating. When young readers see themselves in books and can make connections with the characters, it can help provide validation for those who are going through struggles. Making connections to these inclusive characters can also exemplify possibilities for children. It can open their eyes to who and what they can be now and in the future.

Another reason why it is important to build a collection of books that value inclusivity is because it can be exciting for a young reader. Imagine being a child, opening a book, and seeing a character who you relate to. It can be a memorable moment for young readers when they come across a character that looks like them, has the same disability, shares their culture, or shares an array of other similarities.

Books with diverse characters can also help children build empathy for different people. Diversity in books also helps young readers find similarities with those who may seem quite different initially, which can help them relate more to others.

Valuing diversity and inclusivity in books is also beneficial for understanding others more. Some books can serve as an introduction for young readers to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences. Children’s books can also be a way for readers to learn about and engage with social issues and important topics they aren’t very familiar with. Many children can learn about topics that can sometimes be difficult to discuss– such as bullying, racism, sexism, or other social issues– in a way that can be easier for them to understand.

Next time your child is choosing a book to read, encourage them to search for a story with a character who looks different from them, a character who has a different culture from them, a character who has a disability, or even a topic that is new to them. This will help you and your child build a diverse and inclusive reading portfolio.

Here are six fantastic books that embrace diversity and would make a great addition to your bookshelf.

1. What If We Were All The Same! by C.M. Harris
This is a phenomenal book for teaching children to embrace ethnic diversity. This book asks its readers the big question: What if we were all the same? The truth is that life would be very boring if this were true! Some folks have the wrong understanding of diversity and inclusion. They may believe that our differences inhibit our ability to relate and connect with each other, so we should ignore them. However, our differences should not be ignored. These differences make us who we are, so they should be celebrated. Differences can bring us together just as much as similarities do. As a bonus, the book has also been released in Spanish!

2. Erin, Roderick and the Diffability Bunch by Fliss Goldsmith
Inclusion means also including folks with disabilities. This story is about a group of children competing in a race. The book does a great job of representing various disabilities while simultaneously telling a fun story. There is even a page of the book that shows a character communicating in sign language with close-up illustrations of the character’s hands! This book does a fantastic job of highlighting the unique capabilities of each individual.

3. Just Because... by C.M. Harris
Just because people might view you to be a certain way, it doesn’t mean you can’t diverge from these expectations. This is the first book in the Ms. Freckle series, and it takes place in a classroom filled with students of all kinds. The story shows readers examples of the ways that people can defy expectations. This book shows young children that having different preferences from others is okay. We all enjoy different activities, which should not make us feel excluded from others. Just Because... is a fantastic story for teaching young readers the importance of self-acceptance and diversity.

4. Erin, Roderick Discover Families by Fliss Goldsmith
No family is exactly the same, and that is what this book sets out to teach young readers. This story brings visibility to families of all kinds, including traditional families, single-parent families, adoptive families, and much more. It is crucial to ensure that children feel seen and accepted if they come from a non-traditional family because it is rare to see these families being shown in the media.

5. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Do you have a name that gets mispronounced quite often? Well, a lot of people do! This book shines a light on those of us with a name that might not be very common where we reside. The Name Jar is about a young Korean girl named Unhei who moves to the United States, where her American classmates have trouble pronouncing her name. After going on an adventure of trying to find a new name, Unhei soon realizes that her name is unique and amazing! This book does a fantastic job of showcasing diversity in language, culture, and names while also telling a cute and clever story that captures the attention of young readers.

6. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
As a child, one of the best places to get to know different people is in a classroom. This book showcases a school with classrooms filled with loved, appreciated, and valued students, no matter their differences. The story does a great job of exemplifying how people have various traditions and backgrounds– all of which are celebrated.

#inclusivebooks #childrensbooks #booksforchildren #readingisessential #bookrecommendations #booksforteachers #newbooksforkids #diversereads