Want to nurture the value of respecting others? Grab these children’s books about respect, perfect for teaching your child how to interact with other kids and adults.
Sometimes we parents have a warped view of what showing respect truly is.
We think respect means that kids do what we say, or that they don’t cause us trouble or embarrassment. We urge them to talk to others—even if they don’t want to—as a sign of respect. Or we want them to stop fighting with each other already.
But respect is simply treating others the way we’d want to be treated.
They don’t disrespect us by not doing everything we say, or when they refuse to hug relatives they hardly know. And they certainly aren’t being disrespectful when they voice their opinions.
Instead, they should learn that they can disagree with others, but to do so respectfully.
Because respect is possible when we disagree with others—perhaps it’s even more necessary when we do. I want my kids to question what they’re told, to call us out on our mistakes, and to give their opinions.
All without being told they’re disrespectful.
Above all, respect starts with oneself: we can’t respect others if we’re taught to put our needs last all the time, or to obey and listen no matter what.
Respect is one of the most important lessons to teach our kids. We show them to be kind to others, regardless of who they are or whether they supposedly “deserve” it or not. And we stress the importance of courtesy and empathy toward others, no matter how different they may be.
Children’s books about respect
One of the best ways to talk about the concept of respect is through reading children’s books. This list of picture books explores how their positive choices affect others, as well as how to handle difficult situations while still being respectful.
For instance, in Do Unto Otters, Mr. Rabbit learns how to treat others who are different from him. My Mouth Is a Volcano shows young readers different ways to control what they say so they don’t interrupt.
These are good books that instill the importance of treating others how we would want them to treat us. I hope you’ll select a few from your local library or your next book shopping trip!
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase.
The Recess Queen by Alexis O’neill and Laura Huliska-Beith
The Berenstain Bears Show Some Respect by Jan and Mike Berenstain
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
The Best Me That I Can Be by Rose Angebrandt and Henrique Rampazzo
The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane Derolf and Michael Letzig
Why Should I? by Sue Graves, Emanuela Carletti, and Desideria Guicciardini
Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper and Gabi Swiatkowska
Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud and David Messing
A Little Respectful SPOT by Diane Alber
Argus by Michelle Knudsen and Andrea Wesson
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
Penguin Says “Please” by Michael Dahl and Oriol Vidal
(Check out more children’s books about penguins.)
A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan
The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
Respect and Take Care of Things by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.
My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick and Colleen M. Madden
Read these next:
- What to Do When Your Child Disrespects You
- 3 Ways We Unintentionally Disrespect Our Kids
- How to Get Toddlers to Listen Without Yelling
- 5 Unusual Ways to Deal With a Defiant 3 Year Old
- Top 10 Toddler Discipline Books to Get Your Child to Listen
Free printables: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and grab your copy of the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:
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