Using Picture Books to Teach Character Lessons

Picture books can help kids deal with a lot of real-life issues that they may be facing.  This is my list of "start a conversation about..." books. I've organized each title by the topic that it brings up.  

I'm currently updating this list so that when you click on each title, you can visit each book's Amazon page to learn more. I'm also including my own personal rating for each book, and weeding out those books that I gave only 1 or 2 stars to. 

I add new books regularly, so don't forget to check back often! 

Anger
When Sophie Gets Angry...Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang (4 stars)

Appreciating others
Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard 
The Bad Easter Bunny by Isabel Atherton and Stephanie Rohr
Olive's Pirate Party by Roberta Baker and Debbie Tilley (4 stars) 

Bathtime
Huggly Takes a Bath by Tedd Arnold

Bedtime

Simpson’s Sheep won’t go to Sleep! by Bruce Arant

Bubba and Beau go Night-Night by Kathi Appelt
Good Night, Baby Bear by Frank Asch 
In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck 
Teddy Bear Tears by Jim Aylesworth and Jo Ellen McAllister-Stammen
How Many Kisses Do You Want Tonight? by Varsha Bajaj and Ivan Bates
Tonight and Tomorrow by Robin Ballard (3 stars)

Blame
You Bad Dog! by Leslie Baker (3 stars)

Bullying
Not So Tall for Six by Dianna Hutts ASton and Frank W. Dormer
The Farm Team by Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin 

Children with Disabilities
We Go in a Circle by Peggy Perry Anderson
Martin on the Moon by Martine Audet and Luc Melanson 

Comparing Yourself to Others:
Holly Bloom's Garden by Sarah Ashman, Nancy Parent and Lori Mitchell

Confidence
Insects from Outer Space by Vladimir Vagin and Frank Asch 

Contentness
Duck, Duck, Goose? by Katya Arnold

Differences Being Good
Harry's Home by Catherine and Laurence Anholt 
Panda & Polar Bear by Matthew J. Beak 

Disappointment After a Big Event Ends
What a Party! by Sandy Asher and Keith Graves  

Facing your Fears

The Buffalo Storm by Katherine Applegate
The Hidden Forest by Jeannie Baker
Steady, Ready, Ghost! by Elizabeth Baguley and Marion Lindsay 

Fairness
It's Not Fairy by Ros Asquith 

Friendship 
Panda & Polar Bear by Matthew J. Baek 

Getting Lost:
Stanley at Sea by Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin 

Greed:
The Full Belly Bowl by Jim Aylesworth and Wendy Anderson Halperin 

Homesickness
Harry's Home by Catherine and Laurence Anholt 

Hospitality
Too Many Frogs! by Sandy Asher and Keith Graves 

Imagination
Just Another Morning by Linda Ashman and Claudio Munoz 

The Importance of Education
Souperchicken by Mary Jane and Herm Auch 

Including Others:
Disappearing Desmond by Anna Alter
No Dogs Allowed by Linda Ashman and Kristin Sorra 

Independence
All by Myself! by Aliki

Jealousy 

The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Kindness
Rain! by Linda Ashman and Christian Robinson 

Learning English as a Second Language
Painted Words by Aliki

Making Friends:
Disappearing Desmond by Anna Alter
The Princess of 8th Street by Linas Alsenas
Insects from Outer Space by Vladimir Vagin and Frank Asch 

Manners:
Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony 
Too Many Frogs! by Sandy Asher and Keith Graves 

Misbehaving
Desmond and the Naughty Bugs by Linda Ashman and Anik McGrory 

Moving
We Are Best Friends by Aliki 

Billy and the Big New School by Catherine & Laurence Anholt
Goodbye House by Frank Asch 

Moving to a New Country
Painted Words by Aliki 

A New Baby
Welcome, Little Baby by Aliki
Sophie and the New Baby by Laurence Anholt
Here Comes Gosling! by Sandy Asher and Keith Graves 

Obedience
Leonardo and the Flying Boy by Laurence Anholt

Outgrowing Favorites
I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn and Julia Denos 

Peer Pressure
Leonardo and the Flying Boy by Laurence Anholt 

Perserverance
Magnus at the Fire by Jennifer Armstrong
The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
The Buk Buk Buk Festival by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
Holly Bloom's Garden by Sarah Ashman, Nancy Parent, and Lori Mitchell

A Pet Growing Old
Stella's Dancing Days by Sandy Asher and Kathryn Brown 

Problem Solving
Pigeon Poop by Elizabeth Baguley and Mark Chambers 

Resourcefulness
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey & Colin Jack 

Starting School
Monsters Love School by Mike Austin 

Starting a New School
Billy and the Big New School by Catherine & Laurence Anholt
Seymour Slug Starts School by Carey Armstrong-Ellis
Edda: A Little Valkyrie's First Day of School by Adam Auerbach

Strangers
Peeping Beauty by Mary Jane Auch

Traveling
Harry's Home by Catherine and Laurence Anholt 

Tricking Others
The Tale of Tricky Fox by Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock

Trying New Things
Little Burro by Jim Arnosky 
Robin's Home by Jeannine Atkins and Candace Whitman 

Waiting
Here Comes Gosling! by Sandy Ashers and Keith Graves