7 Best Children's Books About Forgiveness

Teaching children about forgiveness can help them develop and strengthen this important skill [*]. It teaches them how to resolve conflicts, express empathy, and build meaningful connections with others. Children's books about forgiveness are powerful tools for nurturing this trait.

Moreover, forgiveness provides value beyond relationships, as it is also beneficial for mental and physical health [*]. It can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression while also alleviating stress levels, improving sleep, and lowering blood pressure.

Through the power of storytelling, these books guide children in understanding the importance of apologizing, letting go of anger, and offering second chances. They also help young readers develop emotional intelligence and equip them with essential life skills that contribute to their personal growth.

Whether used by parents, teachers, or caregivers, these books serve as an excellent resource to teach the value of forgiveness.

7 Best Children's Books About Forgiveness

Below, we've compiled a list of the best forgiveness books for kids. Each selection delivers impactful lessons wrapped in entertaining and heartwarming stories.

1. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Lilly, an enthusiastic young mouse, must apologize to her teacher after an emotional outburst. This beloved book conveys the value of admitting mistakes and making amends while celebrating the joy of forgiveness.

The relatable story helps children understand that everyone makes mistakes and that forgiveness is part of growing. Lilly’s journey highlights the importance of repairing relationships after misunderstandings and shows kids how to learn from their mistakes. The book’s charming illustrations and relatable characters make it an enduring favorite for teaching these critical life lessons.

Price: $11.76 on Amazon, $19.99 on Barnes and Noble

2. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

A timeless classic, Enemy Pie follows a young boy who learns how to turn an enemy into a friend with the help of his father. The father suggests a mysterious recipe for Enemy Pie to help him handle the situation. But to complete the recipe, the boy must spend a whole day with his enemy. As they spend time together, the boy realizes his “enemy” isn’t so bad after all and might even become his friend.

This humorous and touching tale emphasizes the importance of understanding others' perspectives and forgiving misunderstandings. The story’s relatable characters help children see conflicts in a new light. The book also provides a great starting point for parents to discuss how to mend broken friendships.

Price: $9.99 on Amazon, $16.99 on Barnes and Noble

3. I Forgive Alex by KERASCOET

This wordless picture book shares the story of Alex, a spirited boy who unintentionally upsets a classmate, which leads to conflict within the group. Through vivid illustrations, the book captures the emotional experiences of Alex and his peers as they work through feelings of hurt, the act of apologizing, and the process of forgiveness.

The book beautifully emphasizes the value of taking accountability for one's mistakes and the healing power of compassion in repairing relationships. It encourages children to handle conflicts with understanding and demonstrates that both saying sorry and offering forgiveness require bravery and empathy. The absence of words allows readers to focus on the rich, expressive illustrations that capture the complexity of emotions like guilt, sadness, and reconciliation.

Price: $20.99 on Amazon, $17.99 on Barnes and Noble

4. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

This award-winning book tells the story of a young girl whose family loses everything in a fire. After a devastating fire destroys their home, a young girl and her family work tirelessly to save money for a comfortable new chair.

The family learns to forgive the challenges they’ve faced and focus on rebuilding their lives with gratitude and hope. Through community support and forgiveness, they rebuild their lives. It beautifully highlights compassion, resilience, and understanding.

The vibrant illustrations and heartfelt story make it a favorite for both kids and adults. It also introduces the idea of gratitude and how kindness can create positive change. While not explicitly centered on forgiveness, the story subtly conveys the importance of letting go of anger and starting anew.

Price: $7.19 on Amazon, $9.99 on Barnes and Noble

5. Sorry (Really Sorry) by Joanna Cotler

In this humorous yet meaningful story, a series of animals learn the true meaning of an apology.

This playful story follows a chain reaction of bad behavior among a group of animals on a farm. Each animal hurts another in some way, until one animal decides to show kindness instead of continuing to spread bad behavior.

The book encourages kids to understand how their actions affect others and why sincere apologies matter. The lighthearted tone makes the lessons approachable and fun for young readers. It’s an excellent tool for teaching children that apologies are not just words but an important step in healing relationships.

Price: $13.18 on Amazon, $17.99 on Barnes and Noble

6. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy

Lucy is a unique girl who is being teased by a classmate, Ralph. When Ralph finds himself in trouble one day, Lucy faces a tough decision: should she help him or hold a grudge?

This inspiring story about courage and compassion shows kids how to stand up for themselves while forgiving those who have wronged them. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of being true to oneself. It highlights how acts of kindness can diffuse conflicts and promote understanding.

The relatable characters and engaging story make it a favorite for teaching lessons about forgiveness, confidence, and kindness.

Price: $11.11 on Amazon, $12.95 on Barnes and Noble

7. Forgive and Let Go!: A book about forgiveness by Cheri J. Meiners

This book introduces young children to the concept of forgiveness and helps them understand how to deal with hurt feelings, accept apologies, and let go of grudges. It teaches the importance of moving forward after disappointment or when things don’t go as expected.

As part of the Being the Best Me! series, the book emphasizes character development and encourages kids to develop positive traits. This read-aloud book includes helpful tips, discussion questions, and activities designed for parents, teachers, and caregivers to reinforce the lessons.

Price: $9.99 on Amazon, $11.99 on Barnes and Noble

The Bottom Line

Forgiveness is an important value for young people to learn, and books about forgiveness for kids offer an engaging way to impart this lesson. These stories help children understand the importance of empathy, accountability, and offering second chances.

Pairing these books with self-forgiveness exercises for kids can make their learning experience even more impactful. For example, you can encourage them to practice forgiving self-judgments by replacing negative thoughts with compassionate ones. Journaling about their emotions can also help them process and release feelings of anger or guilt.

When these books and exercises are combined, children can grow emotionally and build stronger connections with others.

For resources on forgiveness and other positive character traits, feel free to explore our Character Education Posters.

References:

1. Rapp H, Wang Xu J, Enright RD. A meta-analysis of forgiveness education interventions' effects on forgiveness and anger in children and adolescents. Child Dev. 2022 Sep;93(5):1249-1269. doi: 10.1111/cdev.13771. Epub 2022 Apr 22. PMID: 35452524; PMCID: PMC9544775.
2. Salamon, M. (2024, March 1). Not just good for the soul. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/not-just-good-for-the-soul