Top 10 Children’s Books That Teach Empathy, Gratitude, and Social-Emotional Skills

As an author, I’m often asked about my favorite children’s books about emotions, empathy,

and social-emotional learning. I get it—parents are always looking for great tools to help their kids grow.

But here’s the thing—with so many fantastic books out there, choosing the ‘best’ isn’t always straightforward.

Every child connects differently—one might love a silly story, another a heartfelt tale. Some children are drawn in by illustrations, others love books about a favourite animal.

My Fairytale Fraud series came from knowing my own kids responded best to fun, subtle

messages and open-ended chats—not books that spell out a lesson. Maybe yours are the

same. Maybe not.

No matter what book you read, one ingredient makes all the difference in teaching your kids

empathy, gratitude, and social-emotional skills at bedtime.

You.

The time you spend.

The small moments of connection.

The conversations that shape them.

That’s the real magic.

At Fairytale Fraud, we’ve made it easier to start conversations by adding discussion

prompts in our books—but if you want to make the most of storytime with any book, try these simple but powerful questions:

● Empathy: How do you think [character] feels? Have you ever felt that way?

● Gratitude: What is gratitude? What’s something that [character] could be grateful

for? What about you?

● Perspective-taking: If you were in [character]’s shoes, what would you do

differently?

Still after a top 10 list? Ask a librarian or check reviews on Goodreads based on what your

child already loves.Try a few! Books that support emotional learning are always a great

investment. And if you're searching for the best children's books NZ, local bookstores often

have fantastic recommendations tailored to Kiwi families.

Of course, if you haven’t yet, try our Fairytale Fraud series—each story supports a different social-emotional theme. For example, Jack’s Giant Problem explores empathy, while Trip Trap Trouble helps kids think about gratitude.

At the end of the day, books are more than just stories—it’s the chats that follow, the snuggles on the couch, the “what would you do?” conversations that stick. And especially so

if you add a bit of silly!

Wishing you many of those connecting moments this week.

From one parent to another—you’ve got this.

Cheering you on,

Katie xx

🎈Storytime Tip

Next time you're reading, pause halfway through and ask:

“What do you think will happen next?”

This simple prediction game helps your child think ahead, tune into emotion, and feel like a

co-creator in the story.

⭐ Try This Tool

When you're too tired to parent, let “Mr Sock” deliver the rules. A little ‘silly’ can unlock a lot

of cooperation…and fun!