5 Sweet Picture Books About Giving and Receiving

The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
It’s embarrassing to admit, but I have yet to get through this book without crying. This masterpiece by Shel Silverstein is truly just that beautiful and heartfelt. This book is the perfect bedtime read to follow up a season of consumerism and gluttony, and it highlights the kind of selflessness and generosity that people of all ages could use a reminder of. The Giving Tree is the story of a boy who loves a tree, and a tree who loves the boy. The tree gives everything she can to the boy, until she is nothing but a stump, and then she still gives some more. A wonderful meditation on nature, and the often selfless dynamic of parent-child relationships, you will get something new out of this story at each age you come back to it, which is the sign of a brilliant work of art.

Give and Take, by Chris Raschka
Most kids master the art of taking pretty quickly, but the art of giving takes a bit more thought. Still, in life there is a balance to strike between give and take—no one can be all give, or all take. In this book we meet two characters named Give and Take and see what happens when a farmer follows all of one’s advice (spoiler: nothing good!) and when he finally sees the value of both (somehow this creates an apple pie, which in my book is a great thing indeed.) The modern brushstroke illustrations make for a visually appealing accompaniment.

Alfie Gives a Hand, by Shirley Hughes
This book is perfect for kids who are a little scared to enter into new situations, like birthday parties, on their own. Alfie ends up taking his old blanket to Bernard’s tea birthday party, but realizes that he can’t participate in all of the fun while holding on to his shabby but comforting safety net. What finally gets him to put the blanket down is when he literally needs to give a hand to Min, who’s having a hard time herself, and bring her into the circle to sing sons and play games with the other children. After that, Alfie forgets all about the blanket and has a fun time eating ice cream and bouncing balloons. Through giving a helping hand others, Alfie ultimately helps himself.

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
This adorable picture book will leave you wanting to give a mouse a cookie, despite where that leads our young overly accommodating protagonist. “If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk,” it begins, and then the story spirals out from there, leading somehow to mopping the floors, creating signed artwork, impromptu haircuts, and circling back once again to giving a mouse a cookie. But no child would want to resist this cute creature, brought to life by the darling illustrations of Felicia Bond. (And, as this book was a #1 New York Times bestseller, apparently no one did resist!) Go ahead, give a mouse a cookie.

Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson
A harmonious and heartwarming collaboration between author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Christian Robinson, this sure to be classic picture book tells the story of a boy, CJ, and his grandma as they take a crosstown bus ride after church. Their destination, a soup kitchen, is just as inspiring as their journey to get there, and proves that there is beauty everywhere, if you just open your eyes and ears. At first CJ is reluctant to take the bus and go to the grittier side of town, but once he’s there, you see how moved he is by his grandmother’s giving spirit and her poetic way of looking at the world around them. This book is especially wonderful for anyone who’s ever had a close and special relationship with a grandparent. (My own grandma is one of my closest confidants and biggest inspirations, and after finishing this book I picked up my phone and gave her a call.)
What other kids’ books encourage sharing and caring?