10 Best Children's Books About Respect

Teaching respect to children is key to raising kind, considerate, and empathetic individuals. Children’s books about respect make this task easier. These books present valuable lessons through relatable stories and characters, which help kids understand and practice respect in their daily lives.

Research shows that respect develops in children as they grow, with fairness and equality being central to how they understand it. It is associated with positive social behaviors [*].

Reading books with prosocial content influences adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Young people who read prosocial books are more likely to develop a stronger moral identity, which then encourages prosocial behavior [*].

10 Best Children's Books About Respect

Reading stories about respect not only entertains children but also provides them with relatable, practical examples of how to incorporate respect into their daily lives. These books encourage conversations about values, help kids reflect on their behavior, and understand how their actions affect others.

Here are 10 of the best children’s books to teach respect that will inspire young readers to value kindness, empathy, and consideration for others.

1. Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners — by Laurie Keller

This picture book uses illustrations to teach young people the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Through the story of Mr. Rabbit and his new otter neighbors, children can learn lessons about being a good friend and neighbor, and how to treat others with respect.

The book’s playful and witty dialogue makes it an entertaining read for young readers.

Price: $8.03 on Amazon, $9.99 on Barnes and Noble

2. The Crayon Box That Talked — by Shane DeRolf

This colorful and engaging story follows a box of crayons that initially struggles to get along but eventually learns to appreciate each other's differences. It’s a great way to teach children the value of teamwork and respecting diversity.

The vibrant pictures and easy-to-understand language make this book a timeless classic for teaching respect.

Price: $9.89 on Amazon, $15.99 on Barnes and Noble

3. The Sandwich Swap — Queen Rania of Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of two best friends, Lily and Salma, who discover the value of respecting differences. Their disagreement over sandwiches leads to an important lesson about acceptance and understanding.

The story encourages kids to celebrate diversity and value friendship despite differences.

Price: $11.69 on Amazon, $18.99 on Barnes and Noble

4. The Golden Rule – by Ilene Cooper

The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is closely tied to respect. It encourages people to consider others’ feelings, needs, and perspectives, which makes it a core principle in teaching children about respectful behavior. This book introduces children to the timeless concept as a grandfather explains the golden rule to his grandson.

The story’s intergenerational dialogue adds a meaningful layer to its timeless message.

Price: $17.99 on Amazon, $19.99 on Barnes and Noble

5. Respect and Take Care of Things — by Cheri Meiners

This straightforward and engaging book is perfect for young children learning the basics of respect. It emphasizes the importance of taking care of personal belongings, shared spaces, and the environment. This read-aloud book also provides tips, discussion questions, and games for adults to engage with children.

The book’s practical approach makes it an ideal resource for both classroom and home learning.

Price: $10.79 on Amazon, $11.99 on Barnes and Noble

6. Don't Touch My Hair! — by Sharee Miller

In this empowering story, Aria experiences the challenge of people constantly touching her hair without permission. By reading this book, children can learn about personal boundaries and the importance of respecting others’ space. The colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand dialogue make it a delightful and educational read for young people.

Don’t Touch My Hair is an excellent tool for sparking conversations about consent and respect for individuality.

Price: $10.72 on Amazon, $8.99 on Barnes and Noble

7. A Little Respectful SPOT — by Diane Alber

This book is part of Diane Alber’s popular “SPOT” series and teaches children about respect through relatable scenarios and bright illustrations. The story provides actionable examples of respectful behavior, which makes it easy for kids to understand and practice. It’s a valuable resource for parents and educators.

The relatable “SPOT” character helps kids easily connect with the lessons learned.

Price: $11.99 on Amazon

8. "Rude Cakes" — by Rowboat Watkins

With its humorous storyline, "Rude Cakes" teaches children the importance of good manners and respect for others. The rude cake learns to appreciate kindness and politeness after an unexpected encounter with a cyclops. 

The quirky characters and clever humor keep kids entertained. It’s a lighthearted yet impactful story about the value of courtesy. The unexpected twists make its lesson about respect both fun and unforgettable.

Price: $8.99 on Amazon, $16.99 on Barnes and Noble

9. What If Everybody Did That? — by Ellen Javernick

This engaging book uses playful scenarios to show kids how their actions impact others. By imagining a world where everyone ignores rules, children can see why respectful behavior is essential for a harmonious community.

The relatable examples make the lessons easy to understand. It’s an entertaining way to highlight the importance of accountability and respect. The lighthearted tone, when paired with the powerful message makes the book a hit with people of all ages.

Price: $7.14 on Amazon, $12.99 on Barnes and Noble

10. "My Mouth Is a Volcano!" by Julia Cook

In this book, Louis has the habit of interrupting others, which is why his mouth is described as similar to a volcano. This story helps children understand the importance of listening and respecting others in conversations.

Through relatable situations, it teaches young readers how to control interruptions and wait their turn to speak. Because of the humorous storytelling, kids will learn valuable communication skills while laughing along the way. Its playful approach to teaching self-control makes it both educational and entertaining.

Price: $8.40 on Amazon, $10.95 on Barnes and Noble

The Bottom Line

Respect isn't just about how we treat people—it extends to respecting rules, nature, and even oneself. When children learn to respect their environment, follow the rules, and value their own boundaries and capabilities, they build a foundation for personal growth and responsible citizenship.

Reading books about respect for kids is a fantastic way to introduce essential values such as acceptance, consideration, accountability, and responsibility. Respect can also be shown by listening attentively, using kind and polite language, recognizing boundaries, and appreciating differences. These stories provide relatable scenarios that help children grasp the importance of treating others with dignity and compassion.

For additional resources, explore respect activities for kids to reinforce these lessons through fun, hands-on experiences. If you’re noticing signs your child doesn't respect you, these activities and stories can be helpful tools to guide them toward positive behavior and stronger relationships.

Feel free to explore our character education posters for engaging resources about respect and other important character traits.

References:

• Malti T, Peplak J, Zhang L. The Development of Respect in Children and Adolescents. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 2020 Sep;85(3):7-99. doi: 10.1111/mono.12417. PMID: 32779237.
• Li W, Zhou L, Ai P, Kim GR. Reading prosocial content in books and adolescents' prosocial behavior: A moderated mediation model with evidence from China. Front Psychol. 2022 Sep 15;13:973481. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.973481. PMID: 36186355; PMCID: PMC9521314.