Discover 8 amazing books that all teach compassion, kindness and friendship to preschoolers and kindergartners.

1. 8 Amazing Books
That Teach Your Young Child About
Friendship, Kindness & Compassion

2. But Not The Hippopotamus
By Sandra Boynton
Difficulty Level: 2-4 years
All the animals are having fun: a hog
and a frog cavort in a bog and a cat and
two rats are trying on hats... But not the
shy hippopotamus. She is hesitant at
first, but little by little, the hippo finds
her courage and with a little
encouragement of the others she joins
the lot of them.
With over two million copies sold, this is
an all-time favorite book for your little
toddlers and preschoolers and with its
fun, repetitive language a fun book to
try for your budding readers.
Also available as an interactive iPhone
and iPad app.

3. Bear’s New Friend
Written by Karma Wilson, Illustrated by Jane
Chapman
Difficulty Level: 2-4 years
It is summer and Bear wants to play! As he looks for
his friends, he hears a strange noise. He goes on a
quick journey, following the noise and picking up all
his friends on the way.
But who could make that noise?
Find out together who Bear's new friend is and talk
about the ways we can make new friends by
showing kindness and compassion towards
strangers.
And if your kids love the stories about the bear and
his friends, you can get other books from the series,
such as "The Bear is scared" or "The Bear is Sick."

4. A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Written by Philip C. Stead - Illustrated by Erin
Stead
Difficult Level: 4-8 years
This award-winning, 2011 Caldecott Medal 32-
page book teaches us that friends come in all
shapes and sizes.
It is a beautifully told, heartwarming story about
a chess-loving elephant, a racing tortoise, a shy
penguin, a rhinoceros with a runny nose, an owl
afraid of the dark and the kind, elderly zoo
keeper.
What will the animals do when their friend does
not come and visits them?

5. Sylvester & the Magic Pebble
By William Steig
Sylvester Duncan lived with his father and mother and he
loved pebbles.
One day, while taking a walk he finds a beautiful pebble.
He soon find out the pebble is magic and fulfils his every
wish. But when facing a hungry lion, Sylvester is so scared
he wishes he was a rock! He turns into a rock and the
pebble falls next to him - unreachable...
We follow his mother and father's search for their
beloved son as they go through unimaginable sorrow and
rejoice in the end with them as love triumphs.

6. Hazel’s Amazing Mother
By Rosemary Wells
Difficulty: Grades K - 2
Hazel takes her beloved doll Eleanor to
buy something special for the picnic with
her mother.
But she takes a wrong turn and ends up
lost. Mean Doris and the boys bully her,
rip her doll into pieces and take her doll
carriage.
Her mother feels something is wrong
and gets blown away with the picnic
blanket to where Hazel is, frightened and
sad.
What will her mother do when she find
out about the ripped doll?

7. The Empty Pot
By Demi
Difficult Level: 4-8 years
A compassionate and kind person is also
an honest person. The story of little Ping
is all about honesty and integrity.
It starts very mysteriously as the
Emperor demands all the children come
to the palace to receive special flower
seeds. Whoever would show the
monarch their best in one year, would
succeed him to the throne.
Ping planted his seed carefully in a pot, watered it, took care of it and waited... but nothing ever grew.
Why did all the other children have beautiful flowers to present and what would the Emperor say when
he saw the empty pot?
A simple story, beautifully told.

8. Owen
By Lothar Henkes
Difficulty: Grades K - 2
"Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. He had it since
he was a baby. He loved it with all his heart." But
Owen would have to start school soon and you
cannot bring a blanket to school!
A beautiful story that emphasizes with the child
as well as with the parents in the struggle to
wean Owen of his beloved blanket. The parents
tell him about the blanket fairy, they try
reasoning and even dipping it in vinegar. Nothing
works. Until mom has an idea...
Amazing what can happen when you consider
someone else's needs first! Witty, silly and
lovable on every page.

9. The Giving Tree
By Shel Silverstein
The Giving Tree is a book of unconditional love. A
boy and a tree become friends, they play and are
happy. As the boy grows and his demands
change, the tree gives everything he has to make
the boy happy.
As the boy grew into an elderly person, the tree
has nothing more to give because is is just a
stump. But that is just what the old man needed:
to sit and rest.
This book has many interpretations: religious,
environmental, humanistic, from a friendship
and even a parent-child relationship perspective.
But no matter from what angle you look at it, it is
a beautiful story.

10. About Cedar Hill Prep School, Somerset, NJ
Cedar Hill Preparatory School believes all children are gifted. However, the makeup of the Educational
Environment is key to harnessing each child’s special gift. We feel children learn best in a safe, caring
and nurturing environment that fosters partnerships between the family and the school. We aim to
provide a diverse environment, abundant space and stimulating activities and we strive to empower
children to reach their unique potential socially, physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Want to learn more? Come and visit us: