125 Children’s Books That Teach Positive Character Traits

Character-building activities are powerful tools in helping our kids learn and grow. From learning to live with love, kindness, and gratitude, there are some amazing children’s books about character traits.

We have the best of the best books on each positive character trait to read with your kids.  AND, you can even download the printable list to take with you to the library.

Best Building Character Books for Kids

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Great care went into preparing this huge list for you.  In fact, over a year was spent reading every book on this list plus countless more that didn’t make the list.

NOTE: For each character trait, we have listed our favorite books to read.  You can learn more about each book by visiting each category link where we share a little about each book or you can click on the book link that will take you to Amazon reviews.

You can also use the 12 different character traits and to do a monthly Family Dinner Book Club. We’ve got a themed menu, activity, and conversation starters to go with each character trait.  See them all here.—>12 Building Character Family Dinner Book Clubs.

Teamwork

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399555501″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Swimmy[/easyazon_link] by Leo Lionni
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”1933916729″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Juice Box Bully[/easyazon_link] by Maria Dismondy
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763695610″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Farmer Duck[/easyazon_link] by Martin Waddell
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”043933909X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Stone Soup[/easyazon_link] by John J. Muth
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399226168″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Officer Buckle and Gloria[/easyazon_link] by Peggy Rathmann
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399250786″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Junkyard Wonders[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Polacco
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0330233866″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Big Enormous Turnip[/easyazon_link] illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”1629792608″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Secret Life of the Red Fox[/easyazon_link] by Laurence Pringle
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0374301131″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tractor Mac Teamwork[/easyazon_link] by Billy Steers
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”177138798X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Up the Creek[/easyazon_link] by Nicholas Oldland
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”151070583X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow[/easyazon_link] by Monica Sweeney

Persistence/Determination

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”1524741728″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]She Persisted[/easyazon_link]and [easyazon_link identifier=”0525516999″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]She Persisted Around the World[/easyazon_link] by Chelsea Clinton
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316475114″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History[/easyazon_link] by Vashti Harrison
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0062699458″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World[/easyazon_link] by Susan Hood
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”044981744X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Emmanuel’s Dream[/easyazon_link] by Laurie Ann Thompson
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1626726825″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]After the Fall[/easyazon_link] by Dan Santat
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147302″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Girl Who Thought in Pictures[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147310″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes[/easyazon_link] by Julia Finley Mosca
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0688040748″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Chair For My Mother[/easyazon_link] by Vera B. Williams
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0689834195″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Salt in His Shoes[/easyazon_link] by Deloris Jordan with Rosyln Jordan
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”1626725055″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Boy and the Whale[/easyazon_link] by Mordicai Gerstein
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316038636″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Where the Mountain Meets the Moon[/easyazon_link] by Grace Lin (chapter book)

Fairness

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0823435733″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]New Shoes[/easyazon_link] by Susan Lynn Meyer
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”059093998X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]One Grain of Rice[/easyazon_link] by Demi
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0395549493″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Jamaica Tag-Along[/easyazon_link] by Juanita Havill
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0803710402″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Amazing Grace[/easyazon_link] by Mary Hoffman
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1419710540″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Separate is Never Equal[/easyazon_link] by Sylvia Mendez
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0899193498″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Little Red Hen[/easyazon_link]by Paul Galdone
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”1481465406″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type[/easyazon_link] by Doreen Cronin
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”1880000199″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Baseball Saved Us[/easyazon_link] by Ken Mochizuki

Love

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”1524740918″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Love[/easyazon_link]by Matt de la Pena
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”1534409173″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Old Hat[/easyazon_link] by Emily Gravett
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316247561″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Love You Book[/easyazon_link] by Todd Parr
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763642649″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Guess How Much I Love You[/easyazon_link] by Sam McBartney
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0439444233″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Love is a Family[/easyazon_link] by Roma Downey
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0899193137″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Valentine Bears[/easyazon_link]by Eve Bunting
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0803729553″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Hair for Mama[/easyazon_link] by Kelly A. Tinkham
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”1481426400″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ida, Always[/easyazon_link] by Caron Levis
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0061124958″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Charlotte’s Web[/easyazon_link] by E.B. White (chapter book)

Citizenship/Responsibility

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763694835″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Many: The Diversity of Life on Earth[/easyazon_link]by Nicola Davies
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0688176909″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Castle on Viola Street[/easyazon_link] by DyAnne Disalvo
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0060564814″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]On Meadowview Street[/easyazon_link] by Henry Cole
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”1452150141″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Hello Hello[/easyazon_link]by Brendan Wenzel
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1771380233″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Red Bicycle[/easyazon_link] by Jude Isabella
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0140505393″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Miss Rumphius[/easyazon_link] by Barbara Cooney
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”1452162816″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Her Right Foot[/easyazon_link] by Dave Eggers
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763665932″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box[/easyazon_link] by Michael S. Bandy
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0688130658″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Very Important Day[/easyazon_link] by Maggie Rugg Herold
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0064472078″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Seedfolks[/easyazon_link] by Paul Fleischman (chapter book)

Honesty

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0805049002″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Empty Pot[/easyazon_link] by Demi
2. Usborne Illustrated Stories from Aesop (story: The Boy Who Cried Wolf)
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1442412577″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot![/easyazon_link] by Scott Magoon
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”037585620X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf[/easyazon_link] by Judy Sierra
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0618344209″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Emperor’s New Clothes[/easyazon_link] by Hans Christian Andersen
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763666491″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Bike Like Sergio’s[/easyazon_link] by Maribeth Boelts
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0395845181″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]In A Day’s Work[/easyazon_link] by Eve Bunting
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0689853955″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Honest-to-Goodness Truth[/easyazon_link] by Patricia C. McKissack

Creativity 

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544357698″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Maybe Something Beautifu[/easyazon_link]l by F. Isabel Campoy
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”1580891519″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Metal Man[/easyazon_link] by Aaron Reynolds
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1452142556″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Everything You Need for a Treehouse[/easyazon_link]by Carter Higgins
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0590445103″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Big Orange Splot[/easyazon_link] by D. Manus Pinkwater
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1250079470″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Arnie, the Doughnut[/easyazon_link] by Laurie Keller
6. Peter H. Reynolds Creatology Series:[easyazon_link identifier=”0763623458″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sky Color[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”076362344X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ish[/easyazon_link], and [easyazon_link identifier=”0763619612″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Dot[/easyazon_link]
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”1484767608″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Drawn Together[/easyazon_link]by Minh Le
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0061994421″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Not a Box[/easyazon_link] by Antoinette Portis
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”1590789156″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Christina Katerina & The Box[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Lee Gauch
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0803733283″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Wonder Bear[/easyazon_link] by Tao Nyeu

Curiosity

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”1943147094″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows[/easyazon_link] by Asia Citro
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0374399085″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Papa’s Mechanical Fish[/easyazon_link] by Candace Fleming
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763695041″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover[/easyazon_link] by Markus Motum
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”076369035X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Windows[/easyazon_link] by Julia Denos
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316015474″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Curious Garden[/easyazon_link] by Peter Brown
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763690457″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Julian is a Mermaid[/easyazon_link] by Julia Love
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”1419721372″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ada Twist, Scientist[/easyazon_link] by Andrea Beaty
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”B07FBQJZ41″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]On a Beam of Light[/easyazon_link] by Jennifer Berne
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0823420477″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Before She Was Harriet[/easyazon_link] by Lesa Cline-Ransome
10. Barefoot Books World Atlas by Nick Crane
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544824385″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Way Things Work[/easyazon_link] by David Macaulay

Bravery/Courage

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316319570″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Malala’s Magic Pencil[/easyazon_link]by Malala Yousafzai
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399246533″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Day You Begin[/easyazon_link] by Jacqueline Woodson
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0823420477″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Before She Was Harriet[/easyazon_link] by Lesa Cline-Ransome
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”1626725055″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Boy and the Whale[/easyazon_link] by Mordicai Gerstein
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0525478493″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ron’s Big Mission[/easyazon_link] by Rose Blue
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0545722888″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet![/easyazon_link] by Carmen Agra Deedy
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544704525″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Let the Children March[/easyazon_link] by Monica Clark-Robinson
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0312564228″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Brave Irene[/easyazon_link] by William Steig
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”1627795103″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Edna The Very First Chicken[/easyazon_link] by Douglas Rees
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0615473938″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun[/easyazon_link] by Maria Dismondy
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544102290″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Drum Dream Girl[/easyazon_link] by Margarita Engle
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”1771387270″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do[/easyazon_link] by Ashley Spires
13. [easyazon_link identifier=”1943200009″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]What Do You Do With a Problem?[/easyazon_link] by Kobi Yamada
14. [easyazon_link identifier=”1338150391″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Be Brave, Little Penguin[/easyazon_link]by Giles Andreae
15. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316414018″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Word of Mouse[/easyazon_link] by James Patterson (chapter book)

Respect/Inclusion

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”1250043220″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Wishtree[/easyazon_link] by Katherine Applegate (chapter book)
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0525579648″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]All Are Welcome[/easyazon_link] by Alexandra Penfold
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1481416472″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Strictly No Elephants[/easyazon_link] by Lisa Mantchev
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”1534406581″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Big Umbrella[/easyazon_link]by Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”1419726439″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Am a Cat[/easyazon_link] by Galia Bernstein
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0618434771″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]One Green Apple[/easyazon_link] by Eve Bunting
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316043478″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]It’s OK To Be Different[/easyazon_link] by Todd Parr
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0679886117″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Crayon Box that Talked[/easyazon_link] by Shane DeRolf
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0152060308″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Whoever You Are[/easyazon_link] by Mem Fox
10. The Barefoot Book of Children by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma and David Dean

Gratitude/Appreciation

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”0140548750″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]When I Was Young in the Mountains[/easyazon_link] by Cynthia Rylant
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0544791363″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Thank You Book[/easyazon_link] by Mary Lyn Ray
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”1524718637″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Elmore[/easyazon_link] by Holly Hobbie
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0310761409″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thankful[/easyazon_link] by Eileen Spinelli
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0763655945″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Giving Thanks[/easyazon_link] by Jonathan London
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316181013″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Thankful Book[/easyazon_link] by Todd Parr
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”158089772X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We Are Grateful[/easyazon_link]by Traci Sorell
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399257624″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thank You, Mr. Falker[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Polacco
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0823434435″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Look and Be Grateful[/easyazon_link] by Tomie dePaola
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”1459809572″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]My Heart Fills With Happiness[/easyazon_link] by Monique Gray Smith (board book)
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”1338158368″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thank you, Mr. Panda[/easyazon_link] by Steve Antony
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”0060510986″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thanks for Thanksgiving[/easyazon_link] by Julie Markes
13. [easyazon_link identifier=”1600602584″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Gracias/Thanks[/easyazon_link]by Pat Mora
14. [easyazon_link identifier=”0688172938″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thanks a Million[/easyazon_link] by Nikki Grimes

Kindness

1. [easyazon_link identifier=”1524766496″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re All Wonders[/easyazon_link]by R.J. Palacio
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”0375869026″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Wonder[/easyazon_link] by R.J. Palacio
3. [easyazon_link identifier=”0935699236″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]One Smile[/easyazon_link] by Cindy McKinley
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”0374309221″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Boxes for Katje[/easyazon_link] by Candace Fleming
5. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399246525″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Each Kindness[/easyazon_link] by Jacqueline Woodson
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”1338256416″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Try a Little Kindness[/easyazon_link] by Henry Cole
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”152476955X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness[/easyazon_link] by Kerascoët
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”1423648870″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed[/easyazon_link] by Emily Pearson
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”0399167897″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Here We Are[/easyazon_link] by Oliver Jeffers
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”0997608501″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Jelly Donut Difference[/easyazon_link]by Maria Dismondy
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”1582464502″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Invisible Boy[/easyazon_link] by Trudy Ludwig
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”1620145774″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Can Man[/easyazon_link] by Laura E. Williams
13. [easyazon_link identifier=”1626723214″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Be Kind[/easyazon_link] by Pat Zietlow Miller
14. [easyazon_link identifier=”0316431249″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Thank You, Omu![/easyazon_link] by Oge Mora

Get a Printable List of Children’s Books About Character Traits

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As a thank you for joining our free newsletter, we will send you a copy of the character education book list.  It’s a great resource to take to the library.

And, here are a few more resources that you may find helpful.

Meaningful Mama shares Character Building Activities

100 Books Every Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten

The Ultimate List of Preschool Books

Books That Will Inspire Kids to Make a Difference in the World

Enjoy reading with the kids and building character strengths.