24 Books That Teach Kids Life Lessons

Finding books that reflect the values you want to instill in your child can feel overwhelming. Where do you start?

Librarians are a great resource when searching for stories that inspire kindness, fairness and empathy. That’s why we reached out to Rebecca Stout, youth librarian at Berkley Public Library, and the staff at the Royal Oak Public Library Youth Services Department for their recommendations.

Here are their top picks to help build your child’s home library or reading list.

Kids books about equality

1. Strictly No Elephants

Cover of the children's book Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. The illustration depicts a young boy and his small elephant, both wearing matching scarves, standing in front of a door with a sign that reads "Strictly No Elephants," highlighting themes of inclusion, friendship, and acceptance. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Lisa Mantchev
Best for ages: 3-7

A boy and his elephant are left out of Pet Club, so he starts a club of his own — one that welcomes everyone.

2. An ABC of Equality

Cover of the children's book An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing, illustrated by Paulina Morgan. The colorful design features diverse illustrated characters interacting with large letters, promoting themes of inclusivity, diversity, and social equality. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Chana Ginelle Ewing
Best for ages: 0-4

This board book introduces big ideas about equality in a way that even the youngest readers can understand.

3. Pink is for Boys

Cover of the children's book Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Eda Kaban. The illustration features a boy and a girl painting the colorful title with buckets of paint, promoting themes of gender equality, creativity, and self-expression. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Robb Pearlman
Best for ages: 4-8

A colorful, empowering picture book that encourages kids to express themselves freely.

4. Clean Getaway

Cover of the children's book Clean Getaway by Nic Stone. The illustration features a young boy with a backpack holding The Green Book, with an RV driving below, set against a bright yellow background. The book explores themes of history, race, and an unforgettable road trip adventure. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Nic Stone
Best for ages: 8-12

An 11-year-old boy embarks on a road trip with his grandmother, uncovering lessons about race and history along the way.

Kids books about respect

5. Quit Calling Me a Monster

Cover of the children's book Quit Calling Me a Monster! by Jory John, illustrated by Bob Shea. The vibrant illustration features a fuzzy purple monster with sharp teeth and exaggerated claws bursting through the background, emphasizing the book's humorous and engaging story about identity and labels. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Jory John
Best for ages: 3-7

A monster-like creature insists that he doesn’t like being labeled, showing kids the importance of respecting differences.

6. The Sandwich Swap

Cover of the children's book The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Tricia Tusa. The illustration features two young girls holding hands and smiling at each other, highlighting themes of cultural understanding, friendship, and acceptance through a story about sharing food. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
Best for ages: 4-8

Best friends argue over their different sandwich choices, but their disagreement turns into an eye-opening moment of understanding.

7. Millionaires for the Month

Cover of the children's book Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty. The bright yellow cover features an upside-down blue piggy bank dropping coins onto a large pile of money, highlighting the book's theme of managing and spending wealth in a limited time. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Stacy McAnulty
Best for ages: 8-12

Two boys are challenged to spend $5 million in a month — learning powerful lessons about money, privilege and responsibility.

Kids books about compromise

8. Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates

Cover of the children's book Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates by Cheryl B. Klein, illustrated by Abhi Alwar. The playful illustration features two expressive hamsters behind cage bars, one looking annoyed and the other excited, emphasizing the humorous theme of the story. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Cheryl Klein
Best for ages: 4-8

Two very different hamsters struggle to get along as roommates — but find a way to make it work.

9. That’s Mine

Cover of the children's book That's Mine! by Sumana Seeboruth, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin. The illustration features a young child clutching toys with a surprised expression, set against a warm yellow background, highlighting themes of sharing and social development. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Sumana Seeboruth
Best for ages: 2-5

Toddlers will relate to this story about sharing, taking turns and working through disagreements.

10. Yasmin the Friend

Cover of the children's book Yasmin the Friend by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Hatem Aly. The illustration features Yasmin standing confidently with a stuffed toy, while two children play in the background, emphasizing themes of friendship, confidence, and social skills. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Saadia Faruqi
Best for ages: 5-8

Yasmin and her friends learn that compromise can help keep everyone happy.

Kids books about justice

11. Nye, Sand and Stones

Cover of the children's book Nye, Sand and Stones by Bree Galbraith, illustrated by Marion Arbona. The illustration features a vibrant cityscape made of sand-colored buildings, with two red-skinned characters engaging in activities, symbolizing themes of community, resilience, and storytelling. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Bree Galbraith
Best for ages: 5-8

A young girl challenges the idea that “this is just the way things are,” showing kids the power of questioning injustice.

12. Baby Loves Political Science: Justice

Cover of the children's book Baby Loves Political Science: Justice! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Greg Paprocki. The colorful illustration features a young child holding a gavel and the Constitution, with a courthouse and judges in the background, introducing early concepts of justice and democracy. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Ruth Spiro
Best for ages: 0-3

This playful board book introduces babies and toddlers to the basic ideas behind fairness and justice.

13. We Move Together

Cover of the children's book We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire, and Eduardo Trejos. The illustration features a diverse group of people, including individuals using mobility aids such as a wheelchair, cane, and service dog, highlighting themes of accessibility, inclusion, and community. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Kelly Fritsch
Best for ages: 4-8

A thoughtful picture book about disability, accessibility and building a more inclusive world.

14. When the World Turned Upside Down

Cover of the book When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura. The illustration depicts a diverse group of children and community members on balconies and in the streets, holding protest signs and megaphones, emphasizing themes of activism, resilience, and social change. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: K. Ibura
Best for ages: 9-12

In a world changed by crisis, four friends navigate issues of race, justice and generosity.

Kids books about gratitude

15. Apple Cake

Cover of the children's book Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Genevieve Godbout. The soft, whimsical illustration features a young girl carrying an apple cake while walking alongside a dog on a grassy hill, conveying themes of gratitude and appreciation for nature. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Dawn Casey
Best for ages: 3-7

A young girl gives thanks to everyone who played a role in making her apple cake.

16. Thank You, Mr. Panda

Cover of the children's book Thank You, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony. The illustration features Mr. Panda holding a colorful, polka-dotted gift wrapped with a blue ribbon, while a small lemur watches, emphasizing themes of gratitude and kindness. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Steve Antony
Best for ages: 2-5

This board book teaches kids that it’s the thought behind a gift — not the gift itself — that truly matters.

17. We Give Thanks

Cover of the children's book We Give Thanks by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier. The whimsical illustration features a bunny, a frog carrying a basket of apples, and other cheerful animals in a scenic outdoor setting, emphasizing themes of gratitude and friendship. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Cynthia Rylant
Best for ages: 4-8

A rabbit and a frog find a creative way to express gratitude to their friends and neighbors.

18. Refugee

Cover of the novel Refugee by Alan Gratz. The dramatic image features a young boy in a small red boat navigating rough ocean waters under a stormy sky, symbolizing the perilous journey of refugees seeking safety. — Photo courtesy of Amazon

Author: Alan Gratz
Best for ages: 10 and up
Three children from different eras and continents embark on dangerous journeys in search of safety.