Books and Reading: Picture Books that Teach Empathy

A wordless picture book about the inspiring friendship that develops between a bluebird and a young boy.

The true story of Ivan, known as the Shopping Mall Gorilla, who lived alone in a small cage for almost 30 years before being relocated to the gorilla habitat at ZooAtlanta

Meet two brave young heroes of Pakistan who stood up for the right to freedom and education in this inspirational nonfiction picture book. Each was unafraid to speak out. He, against inhumane child slavery in the carpet trade. She, for the right of girls to attend school. Both were shot by those who disagreed with them--he in 1995, she in 2012. Iqbal was killed instantly; Malala miraculously survived and continues to speak out around the world.

When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong in making fun of new student Maya's shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.

Unhei's classmates help her decide on a name when she moves to the United States from Korea.

Red picks on Blue while Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple wonder what they can do until One unites the colors and helps everybody learn about acceptance, tolerance, and boundaries amidst bullying while the reader learns numbers and primary and secondary colors.

Zero, dismayed by her big, empty, roundness, tries to force herself into the shape of the much-admired One, but must finally accept that she can only be Zero.

Chrysanthemum loves her name until she starts going to school and the other children begin to make fun of it.

In a crowded park, a boy makes an airplane out of a piece of paper carried to him by a gentle breeze, sends it on its way, and watches a new friend bring it back to him.

Pete is a predictable and practical pig. One stormy night, his world is turned upside down when he encounters Pickles, an elephant on the lam from the circus, in his room. Pickles is anything but predictable, yet Pete finds himself drawn to her, and the two become unlikely friends. The relationship hits a snag when Pickles treads too far, and Pete makes a decision that ends up endangering both of their lives.

Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do anything right until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.

When her parents find a baby wolf on their doorstep and decide to raise him as their own, Dot is certain he will eat them all up until a surprising encounter with a bear brings them closer together.

Brian has always felt invisible at school, but when a new student, Justin, arrives, everything changes.

Two girls, one white and one African-American, gradually get to know each other as they sit on the fence that divides their town.