Children’s Books on Giving, Sharing, and Generosity

A Kid’s Guide to Giving by Freddie Zeller (2006)
Written by a kid for kids, this book offers a comprehensible guide to giving money, volunteering, donating goods, and organizing charity events. It makes it easy for kids to get involved with the organizations that mean the most to them.

All You Ever Need by Max Lucado (2001)
This poignant tale and its rich illustrations uniquely capture the wonder of God's amazing grace.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (2012)
A monochrome town gets a change of color and attitude with the help of a box of yarn and a girl named Annabelle. From the seemingly endless box of Extra Yarn, Annabelle knits clothing for everyone around her, tempering the ill-tempered, and creating beautifully patterned warmth for people, animals, and objects, alike. When a greedy clothes-loving archduke tries to buy--then steal--the box for himself, he discovers that ill-gotten gains bear no fruit--or in this case, yarn.

Me First by Helen Lester (1995)
Being first isn't always best, as Pinkerton Pig finds out after an encounter with a mean Sand Witch. As always, Helen Lester's wonderfully offbeat humor and Lynn Munsinger's whimsical illustrations result in a hilarious lesson about piggishness.

One Hen by Katie Smith Milway (2008)
Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana, who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank. One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference.

The Berenstain Bears Learn to Share by Stan & Jan Berenstain (2010)
So, sharing's fun. It's good to do, and lots of times--- it's easy, too. And if you share, it's also true your fellow bear will share with you! What's more fun than spending alone time? Spending time with friends and family! Share in Sister Bear's joy as she learns that God has blessed her with great friends and lots of time and toys to share.

The Case of Stuart’s Ship: A Lesson in Stewardship by Stan Toler, Debra White Smith, and Chad Thompson (2005)
Join Stuart and Sam as they uncover what it means to be true stewards of God's gifts. Through good detective work and vivid imaginations, they realize how to please God by taking care of their toys, their time, and their bodies. This delightful and practical book will help children of all ages understand the principles of stewardship in a fun and interesting way!

The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola (1978)
In this retelling of the old French legend, a juggler offers the Christ Child the only Christmas gift he has.

The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition by Ray Buckley (1999)
The Native American tradition of the give-away takes a new form in this engaging dialogue between the Whooping Crane, the Snow Goose, Old Beaver, Grandmother Turtle, the Wind, the Ancient One, and the Creator as well as others. Children of all ages will learn that giving is more than just gifting; it is denying oneself so that another may have a better way.

The Mitten Tree by Candance Christiansen (1995)
One snowy day, an elderly woman, Sarah, watches children gathering at the bus stop. While they never seem to notice her, she notices them, especially one little boy who has no mittens. That night, Sarah knits the boy a pair of cozy mittens and places them on the blue spruce tree for him to discover.

The QuiltMaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeaur (2001)
A quiltmaker helps a selfish king learn that giving is the true secret to happiness. The heartwarming, strongly moral tale supports important values; and the detailed illustrations, featuring dozens of lovingly rendered quilt patterns, offer hours of delight.

Those Shoes by Noah Jones and Maribeth Boelts (2009)
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for "want," just "need." When his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes -- even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Too Many Toys by David Shannon (2008)
Spencer has too many toys! His father trips over them, his mother falls over them, and the house is overflowing with junk. Now it’s time to give some of the mountain of goodies away, but Spencer finds it hard. In the end, he fills a box, but decides the one toy he can't part with is the box!

VIDEO

VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
When Junior Asparagus and his Veggie friends learn that Laura Carrot’s dad has lost his job on Christmas Eve, Bob the Tomato decides to tell the kids a very special story about giving. Using a big storybook and a little imagination, they all travel back to ancient Greece to meet Saint Nicholas — the world’s greatest giver.