9 Best Character Education Books Every Parent and Teacher Should Know
Kids don’t learn courage, kindness, or fairness from a lecture. They learn it from stories that make their hearts race and their imaginations soar. That’s why character education works best when it’s tied to books. The right story doesn’t just entertain—it shows children what it looks like to be brave, fair, and compassionate in real life.
This list of book recommendations for home and classroom gives you more than good reads. Each title is a doorway into values that stick: courage to face fears, kindness to lift others up, and fairness to treat people with respect. Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, these stories will spark conversations, shape choices, and help kids grow into people we’re proud of.
You’ll also find that they tie into larger ideas about why character education matters in schools
1. Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
This book is a classic for a reason. Using the picture of an “invisible bucket,” it shows kids that everyone’s feelings can be “filled” with kindness—or emptied by cruelty. The metaphor is so simple that even the youngest kids get it. And once they see it, they can’t unsee it.
At home, parents can use this book to spark family talks about empathy and respect. In classrooms, it works as a shared language: “Are you filling someone’s bucket or dipping from it?” That one line can shift how students treat each other on the playground or in the lunchroom.
What makes this book powerful is that it doesn’t frame kindness as something optional. It shows kids they have real power to shape the emotions of others. That’s courage in action—standing up for kindness, fairness, and respect in daily life. This book doesn’t just explain character education. It is character education.
2. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Despereaux is no ordinary mouse. He’s tiny, fragile, and different. Yet he dares to take on a quest to save a princess and bring light back to the kingdom. His story shines with lessons about courage, forgiveness, and staying true to yourself.
Kids quickly connect with Despereaux because he doesn’t hide from what makes him different—he leans into it. That’s a powerful lesson for any child who feels out of place. The book shows that bravery isn’t about being fearless; it’s about moving forward even when you’re scared.
Teachers love this book because it opens the door to classroom talks about fairness, bullying, and how we treat people who don’t fit in. Parents love it because it sparks kids’ imaginations with adventure while grounding the story in values that matter. If you’re looking for book recommendations for home and classroom that model values like courage and kindness, this one is a must-read.
3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
“Choose kind.” That’s the heartbeat of Wonder. The story follows August Pullman, a boy with a facial difference, as he navigates the ups and downs of school life. His journey isn’t just about fitting in—it’s about teaching others what real kindness and fairness look like.
What makes Wonder so gripping is how it’s told through different voices. You see not only August’s struggles and triumphs but also how classmates, friends, and family react. Kids get a full picture of empathy in action—what it feels like to be excluded, what it means to stand up, and how fairness can change a life.
This book has sparked schoolwide kindness campaigns and global conversations about bullying. In classrooms, it helps students reflect on their choices. At home, it gives parents a way to talk about respect and compassion. Wonder doesn’t just tell a story; it models the very best of character education, making it one of the most powerful tools you can hand to a child.
4. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
This story takes readers on a bus ride with CJ and his grandmother, but it’s much more than a trip across town. Through CJ’s eyes, kids learn to see beauty in ordinary places and kindness in everyday people. The city becomes a living classroom for gratitude, fairness, and empathy.
CJ starts off with questions—why don’t they have a car, why can’t things be easier? His grandmother’s gentle answers guide him to notice the richness around them: the music on the bus, the colors in the street, the kindness of strangers. It’s a lesson in perspective that kids can carry into their own lives.
For teachers, this book opens up discussions about diversity, respect, and appreciating what we often overlook. For parents, it’s a warm way to talk about gratitude at home. Last Stop on Market Street proves that character education doesn’t have to come from lectures—it can come from the magic of a bus ride and the wisdom of a loving grandparent.
5. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Few books hit as hard as Each Kindness. The story follows Maya, a new girl at school who gets left out by her classmates. When she disappears, her peers are left with the sting of regret—wishing they had shown her kindness when they had the chance.
The power of this book is in its honesty. It doesn’t sugarcoat the pain of exclusion. Kids feel the silence in the classroom, the missed smiles, the empty desk. That emotional weight makes the lesson unforgettable: every act of kindness matters, and ignoring someone can hurt just as deeply as teasing them.
This is one of the strongest book recommendations for home and classroom because it forces reflection. Parents can use it to spark family talks about empathy. Teachers can use it to challenge students: “What would you have done?” Each Kindness pushes kids to be brave, fair, and compassionate in real-life situations, making it a cornerstone of character education.
6. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
This timeless story dives straight into the heart of fairness, bullying, and courage. Wanda, a Polish immigrant girl, wears the same faded dress to school every day. When classmates tease her, she insists she has a hundred beautiful dresses at home. Later, her classmates discover the heartbreaking truth—and with it, the weight of their cruelty.
The lesson here is unforgettable: words and actions matter. Kids come face to face with the impact of exclusion and the need for empathy. They see how easy it is to go along with the crowd—and how much courage it takes to stand up for what’s right.
In classrooms, this book opens the door to powerful talks about kindness, respect, and even cultural differences. At home, parents can use Wanda’s story to teach kids about fairness and compassion. For anyone serious about character education, The Hundred Dresses is more than a story—it’s a mirror, showing children the consequences of their choices and the strength it takes to do better.
7. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally is clever and funny, but she hides a big secret: she can’t read. Struggling with dyslexia, she covers her pain with jokes and distractions—until a teacher finally sees her true potential. Fish in a Tree is about more than learning struggles. It’s about courage, fairness, and the power of kindness to unlock hidden strengths.
Readers feel Ally’s frustration with every mixed-up letter and celebrate her victories when someone believes in her. This emotional pull makes the lessons unforgettable. Kids learn that differences don’t equal weakness and that patience and compassion can change a life.
For teachers, this book is a powerful tool to start discussions about learning disabilities and respect in the classroom. For parents, it’s a reminder of how far encouragement can go. Fish in a Tree belongs on every list of book recommendations for home and classroom because it shows how character education comes alive when we see—and support—the best in each other.
8. Brave Irene by William Steig
Irene’s story is simple but unforgettable. When her mother falls ill, Irene sets out through a brutal snowstorm to deliver a dress to the duchess. The wind howls, the snow blinds her, and the cold bites at every step—but she refuses to give up.
This book is a masterclass in courage and perseverance. Kids see Irene stumble, fall, and struggle, yet rise again with determination. The icy setting makes the danger feel real, which makes Irene’s bravery shine even brighter.
At home, this book helps parents talk about grit and responsibility. In classrooms, it sparks conversations about what it means to keep going when things get tough. Brave Irene is more than a snowy adventure—it’s a powerful piece of character education that shows children how love and duty can give us strength to face even the fiercest storms.
9. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead
Amos is a gentle zookeeper who never forgets his friends. He plays chess with the elephant, races the tortoise, and keeps the shy penguin company. But when Amos gets sick, the animals flip the script—they travel to his house to take care of him.
This sweet story shows kids that kindness is a two-way street. Acts of love don’t vanish; they come back around when you need them most. The soft illustrations and cozy tone make readers feel the warmth of friendship and reciprocity.
For parents, this is an easy book to spark family talks about empathy. For teachers, it’s a classroom favorite for showing how fairness and care hold communities together. A Sick Day for Amos McGee is the perfect closer on any list of book recommendations for home and classroom because it proves character education isn’t abstract—it’s alive in small, everyday acts of kindness.
Building Character One Story at a Time
Stories stick. Long after a worksheet is tossed aside, kids remember the mouse who saved a princess, the boy who chose kindness, or the girl who braved a storm. These books don’t just entertain—they shape how children see fairness, courage, and kindness in the real world. That’s the heart of character education.
If you’re a parent, add these titles to your home library and use them to spark meaningful family talks. If you’re a teacher, bring them into your classroom and watch how they open up conversations that matter. And if you’d like to go deeper, explore why character education matters in schools and how to make it stick.
Want to Inspire Your Students?
My “Yes I Can” Character Education school assembly is the perfect ‘kickoff’ to a school-wide campaign for a positive environment. Filled with magic, kid-friendly humor, and loads of interaction, your teachers and students will love it. Find out more today.