The inspiration for this collection of books happened when I was reviewing my son’s class curriculum. It was in January, and one of the themes was the work and impact of Martin Luther King Jr. I was on the lookout for children’s books about making the world a better place . Those that inspire kids to be kind, to help others, and take care of the environment.

Because kids can sometimes feel helpless when the world changes so much (I know I feel that way, sometimes). Knowing how they can contribute—even as kids—can make them feel better.

These are the books I found (that my kids also like). Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed is about “paying it forward,” how one little random act of kindness can snowball into so many others.

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez encourages kids to stand up and take action for issues they care about. And one of my childhood favorites, The Lorax, still gets me teary-eyed when I read that last page.

Because it’s our responsibility to raise kids eager and willing to make the world a better place. To leave it even better than how they found it, rather than hoping it can survive another generation.

This goes for ourselves as well. As I say in my book, You Are Enough:

“How can you be of service to others? You see, you can be that kindness that others can be grateful for, even—perhaps especially—when you’re at your lowest moments. You can make a difference, both in others and in yourself.”

I don’t really ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up, as many kids are often asked. Instead, I encourage them to think of how they will contribute to the world to make it a better place.

They want to own a farm and sell vegetables, fix climate change, work in science, and teach future students. How much better will our world be when kids start thinking how they can make it so?

And so, these are my favorite books about making the world a better place. I hope in reading it, your kids will be inspired to do just that:

Children’s books about making the world a better place

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How to Make a Better World by Keilly Swift

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de le Peña

The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins

A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty

Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau

Start Now! by Chelsea Clinton

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers

(Get more books by Oliver Jeffers.)

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown





Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney





Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox





How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham





The Peace Book by Todd Parr





Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson





Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos





What Does Peace Feel Like? by Vladimir Radunsky





How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath





The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

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