Children's Books about Respect

Respect is... raising children to be true equals.

Explore this reading list for 16 Days of Activism (25-November to 10-December), an international campaign to help build communities where women and children are safe, and where girls and boys grow up as equals. It all starts with respect.

Updated October 29, 2024
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Love makes a family
Beer, Sophie
Paper Book
This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family . . . and that's LOVE! Now a modern classic, Love Makes a Family is the bestselling board book from the creator of Kindness Makes Us Strong. ...
Malala's magic pencil
Yousafzai, Malala
Paper Book
Nobel Peace Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Malala Yousafzai's first picture book, inspired by her own childhood. Malala's first picture book will inspire young readers everywhere to find the magic all around them. As a child in Pakistan, Malala...
I am enough
Byers, Grace
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner! This is the perfect gift for mothers and daughters, baby showers, and graduation. This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes...
Me and my boots
Harrison, Penny
Paper Book
Me and My Boots is the first title staring Bronte, a fun-loving character who inadvertently challenges stereotypes though her everyday adventures.In her first adventure, she rejects the label bossy boots, and in introducing us to her family and friends, offers up alternative ways to describe...
Feminist Baby finds her voice!
Brantz, Loryn
Paper Book
Feminist Baby is back for more adventures - with new friends in tow! - in this refreshing, clever board book by two-time Emmy Award-winning author and BuzzFeed contributor Loryn Brantz.
I want to be a superhero
Humes, Breanna
Paper Book
Age range 3 to 9 Breanna wrote this story when she was 8 years old and wanted to fly. Beautifully told and illustrated story of Breanna, who wants to be a superhero. She asks family and friends if she can become a superhero by wishing upon a shooting star. She tries...
Tough guys (have feelings too)
Negley, Keith
Paper Book
A boldly illustrated picture book read-aloud about how everyone gets sad--ninjas, wrestlers, knights, superheroes, everyone . . . even daddies have emotions! Did you know wrestlers have feelings? And knights. Even superheroes and ninjas feel sad sometimes. In fact everyone has feelings-...
My shadow is pink : you are loved. Exactly as you are
Stuart, Scott
Paper Book
My Shadow is Pink is a beautifully written rhyming story that touches on the subjects of gender identity, self acceptance, equality and diversity. Inspired by the author's own little boy, 'Shadow's' main character likes princesses, fairies and things 'not for boys'... he soon learns...
Introducing teddy : a story about being yourself
Walton, Jessica
Paper Book
Introducing Teddy introduces the youngest readers to understanding gender identity and transition in an accessible and heart-warming story about being true to yourself and being a good friend. Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together....
Some boys
Thomas, Nelly
Paper Book
Some Boys is the second in a series of kids books aimed at challenging old-fashioned stereotypes about boys and girls. It is a story about how everyone is different and special in their own way. Your boy might like rough, tough, gentle or pretty stuff. He might wear shirts,...
Respect
Muir, Fay
Paper Book
*Longlisted for the 2021 Indie Book Awards: Children's* *Longlisted for the 2021 ABIAs: Children's Picture Book of the Year* *A 2021 CBCA Notable Book: Early Childhood* Age range 3 to 9 Our Way is old.Older than the red earth.Older...
Jacob's new dress
Hoffman, Sarah
Paper Book
Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by...
My shadow is purple
Stuart, Scott
Paper Book
As featured on CNN, MSNBC, New York Post, The Daily Beast, The Washington Post, and more My Dad has a shadow that's blue as a berry, and my Mom's is as pink as a blossoming cherry. There's only those choices, a 2 or a 1. But mine is quite different, it's...
Every Body : Celebrate, Respect and Accept ALL Bodies - Especially Your Own
Forbes, Molly
Paper Book
We all have a body. They don't always function the same as other people's. And they certainly don't all look the same. But one thing is certain ­- every body deserves respect. This is an essential guide to embracing and respecting all bodies, for readers aged 9+. ...
Wonderful Me : A First Guide to Taking Care of Yourself
Shapiro, Nancy.
Paper Book
Self-care is not just for grown-ups! Wonderful Me is a fun guide for children, featuring simple ways they can care for their mental, physical and social wellbeing.
How to be a boy and do it your own way
Singh, Ranj
Paper Book
Do you ever pretend to like something you don't, just to fit in? Is it sometimes hard to tell others how you're feeling? Do you wish there was less pressure on you to 'man up'? Explore these questions and many more in this empowering and...
Included : a book for all children about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality and empathy
Sanders, Jayneen
Paper Book
This book introduces the reader to six wonderful kids: Sam, Rishi, Jay, Audrey, Ty and Zara. The aim of this story is to ensure all kids understand that kids with disability are just like kids everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff and being silly. They have...
Be yourself : why it's great to be you
O'Neill, Poppy
Paper Book
Does your child appear to put themselves down frequently? Perhaps they have a tendency to think negatively and doubt their abilities? Do they worry about what other children think about them? These could be signs that your child is...
Respect : consent, boundaries and being in charge of you
Brian, Rachel
Paper Book
*Shortlisted for the 2020 North Somerset Children's Book Award* From the co-creator of the viral 'Tea Consent' video, this is the perfect introduction to consent for kids and families everywhere. Your body belongs to you and you get to set your own...
Let's talk about body boundaries, consent & respect : a book to teach children about body ownership, respectful relationships, feelings and emotions, choices, and recognizing bullying behaviors
Sanders, Jayneen
Paper Book
This book explores consent and respect with children especially in relation to body boundaries, both theirs and others. A child growing up knowing they have a right to their own personal space, gives that child ownership and choices as to what happens to them. These concepts are presented in a child...
No difference between us : teaching children about gender equality, respectful relationships, feelings, choice, self-esteem, empathy, tolerance, and acceptance
Sanders, Jayneen
Paper Book
Jess and Ben are twins. Jess is a girl and Ben is a boy but in all the BIG ways, there is NO difference between them! Explore with children the issues of gender equality and respectful relationships. Combining cheerful illustrations and a simple but effective narrative, children will understand that...
Who we are! : All about being the same and being different
Harris, Robie H.
Paper Book
New York Times best-selling author Robie H. Harris helps preschoolers understand what makes us who we are -- from our height to our hair, from the shade of our skin to our eyesight. Join Nellie, Gus, baby Jake, and their parents at Funland as they go on rides, watch...
Just because I am : a child's book of affirmation
Payne, Lauren Murphy
Paper Book
Young children need support and encouragement as they learn to value themselves and recognize their own worth--"not because of the things I do, not because of what I look like, not because of what I have . . . just because I am." This book of sweet, simple affirmations for children helps...
A girls guide to being YOU!
Witt, Sharon
Paper Book
Sometimes when we are younger, we go through some wonderful times, but also some tough times too. Whether that be problems with friends, worrying about how you look or just feeling a bit down in the dumps- this book is written especially for you- to help you in your journey! Girlwise is a new series...

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