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Can you recommend some Buddhist books for kids?
Below is a list of a few of the many Buddhist books available for children. I hope you’ll find it helpful.
For 3 to 6 year olds
- Franklin is Bossy by Paulette Bourgeois, Kids Can Press 2011
- Mouse Says “Sorry” by Michael Dahl, Picture Window Books 2011
- The Colour Monster: a Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas, Little, Brown Books 2018
- The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, North-South Books 1999
- Mindfully Me Series by Louise Shanagher, Lilliput Press 2018
- Sitting Still Like a Frog by Eline Snel, Shambhala Pub Inc 2014
- Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy by Bob Sornson, Love and Logic Press 2013
- Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard, Sounds True Inc 2019
- Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey, Rodale Kids 2017
For 7 to 12 year olds
- My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook, National Center for Youth Issues 2008
- Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses by James Dean, HarperCollins 2013
- Ready, Set, Happy by Denise Flora, FDCW 2008
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Harper and Row 1964
- I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde, Abrams Books 2018
- I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde, Abrams Books 2019
- The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz & Steve Adams, Barefoot Books 2012
Here is a link to a few materials for children available from FPMT [Foundation of the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition].
Finally, here is the Happy Toolbox for Kids which is a collection of games and activities for exploring inner values with children.

Venerable Tenzin Tsepal met Venerable Thubten Chodron, founder of Sravasti Abbey, in Seattle and studied Buddhism with her from 1995 to 1999. During that time, Venerable Tsepal attended the Life as a Western Buddhist Nun conference in Bodhgaya, India in 1996 as a lay supporter. An interest in ordination surfaced after she completed a three-month meditation retreat in 1998. She lived in India for two years while continuing to explore monastic life. In 2001, she received sramanerika (novice) ordination from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
While Venerable Tsepal was in India, some Australians friends introduced her to the 5 year Buddhist Studies Program at Chenrezig Institute (CI) north of Brisbane, Queensland, where she subsequently lived and engaged in intensive residential study from 2002-2015. As the Western Teacher at CI, she tutored weekend teachings and retreats, and taught the Discovering Buddhism courses.
Prior to ordaining, Venerable Tsepal completed a degree in Dental Hygiene, and then pursued graduate school in hospital administration at the University of Washington. Not finding happiness in 60 hour work weeks, she was self-employed for 10 years as a Reiki teacher and practitioner.
Now a member of the resident community at Sravasti Abbey, Venerable Tsepal is compiling and editing the many years of Venerable Chodron’s teachings on monastic training as well as leading a review on the Buddhist philosophical tenets for the residents.
[…] Ask A Buddhist: Books for Children – October 1, 2020 […]