Here are 100 books that Fast Friends fans have personally recommended if you like Fast Friends. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Color Monster: A Story about Emotions

Jacquelyn Stagg Author Of Kindness Starts with You - At School

From my list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wholeheartedly believe that kindness is the single most powerful thing that we can teach our children. One of the best ways to instil kindness in children is by talking to them about it, and one of the most effective ways to start the conversation is through stories that highlight kindness. These stories don’t just get kids talking—they also help shape the values of the next generation.

Jacquelyn's book list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy

Jacquelyn Stagg Why Jacquelyn loves this book

This book has been such a hit in our house! My kids love the colorful characters and how each emotion is represented by a different color. It’s such a great tool for teaching young kids emotional awareness, and that is most definitely needed in this day and age! 

By Anna Llenas ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Color Monster as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Unpack feelings with color in this international bestseller that helps young readers identify emotions and feel more in control.
 

One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Everyone will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple,…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of I'm NOT just a Scribble...

Jacquelyn Stagg Author Of Kindness Starts with You - At School

From my list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wholeheartedly believe that kindness is the single most powerful thing that we can teach our children. One of the best ways to instil kindness in children is by talking to them about it, and one of the most effective ways to start the conversation is through stories that highlight kindness. These stories don’t just get kids talking—they also help shape the values of the next generation.

Jacquelyn's book list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy

Jacquelyn Stagg Why Jacquelyn loves this book

This was such a blast to read with my kids! I loved how interactive it was and the creative rhyming used. It didn’t just keep their attention, but it also included a fun activity to do together afterward with stickers (included in the book), which made the experience even more fun for us to do together!

The illustrations are playful and unique, really bringing the story to life in a way that keeps everyone engaged. Even after five years of having it on our shelf, it’s still my go-to book for storytime.

By Diane Alber ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I'm NOT just a Scribble... as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?


A story about kindness and inclusion.

Scribble, the book's main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn't look like everyone else, Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art.

This book not only has illustrations that any child can personally recognize but it also addresses inclusion without boundaries so that anyone can relate to it. Each book comes with 100 stickers so that children can create their very own Scribble. They will be able to…


Book cover of Our Class is a Family

Jacquelyn Stagg Author Of Kindness Starts with You - At School

From my list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wholeheartedly believe that kindness is the single most powerful thing that we can teach our children. One of the best ways to instil kindness in children is by talking to them about it, and one of the most effective ways to start the conversation is through stories that highlight kindness. These stories don’t just get kids talking—they also help shape the values of the next generation.

Jacquelyn's book list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy

Jacquelyn Stagg Why Jacquelyn loves this book

This has been such a wonderful book to read with my kids! It was first introduced to us through my daughter's school. It’s not only a sweet story but also helps teach important lessons about kindness, community, and friendship.

It is great for prompting conversations about feelings, and the illustrations are incredibly well done, making it even more enjoyable!

By Shannon Olsen , Sandie Sonke (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Our Class is a Family as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 6, 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved.

With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure…


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Book cover of Murder and Malice

Murder and Malice by Hugh Greene,

Dr. Power is promoted to a chair of forensic psychiatry at Allminster University and selected by the Vice Chancellor for a key task which stokes the jealousy of the Deans, and he is plunged into a precariously dangerous situation when there is a series of deaths and the deputy Vice…

Book cover of Dear Girl,

Jacquelyn Stagg Author Of Kindness Starts with You - At School

From my list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wholeheartedly believe that kindness is the single most powerful thing that we can teach our children. One of the best ways to instil kindness in children is by talking to them about it, and one of the most effective ways to start the conversation is through stories that highlight kindness. These stories don’t just get kids talking—they also help shape the values of the next generation.

Jacquelyn's book list on children's books for teaching kindness and empathy

Jacquelyn Stagg Why Jacquelyn loves this book

This is such a fantastic read. It offers little reminders to reinforce how special and unique each and every one of us are. From thanking your freckles to not being invited to the party—the book will leave you feeling proud of who you are.

This book has been an especially useful tool while raising my two daughters to help teach confidence, individuality, and kindness to yourself and others. 

By Amy Krouse Rosenthal , Paris Rosenthal , Holly Hatam (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dear Girl, as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The #1 New York Times bestseller that Today showco-anchor Hoda Kotb calls “a beautiful, beautiful book.”

The bestselling author of I Wish You More, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and her daughter Paris Rosenthal collaborate to bring you the heartwarming and inspiring Dear Girl,

Dear Girl, is a love letter written for the special girl in your life; a gentle reminder that she’s powerful, strong, and holds a valuable place in the world.

Through Amy and Paris’s charming text and Holly Hatam’s stunning illustrations, any girl reading this book will feel that she's great just the way she is—whether she enjoys jumping…


Book cover of The Boy with Flowers in His Hair

Tim Warnes Author Of Dangerous!

From my list on for teaching kids empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a writer, illustrator, and champion of children’s books, with approximately 90 titles published over the last 25 years. I use this experience to guide parents to quality picture books via my blog, Stories Worth Sharing, which aims to help parents nurture and connect with their kids through stories. I can trace this passion back to my childhood. Snuggled in my father’s arms, we’d explore fantastic places together – like One Hundred Acre Wood, Busy Town, and Zuckerman’s barn. Picture books are foundational in developing young minds. These selected titles put your child in someone else’s shoes and teach them to empathise with others.

Tim's book list on for teaching kids empathy

Tim Warnes Why Tim loves this book

This beautiful book blows me away. It’s an exquisite example of a picture book, where words and pictures work hand in hand to tell the story. Everyone loves David, the boy with the flowers in his hair. He’s the life and soul of the class. Until one day, something happens. Now David – quiet and withdrawn – is losing his flowers, petal by petal…

The Boy With Flowers in His Hair speaks to me on a personal level – I’ve overcome depression and recognise that feeling of losing your joie de vivre. Over the years, I’ve also examined the ideas of what it means to be masculine. On both fronts, this book is affirming. And it reminds me to be thankful for faithful friends.

By Jarvis ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Boy with Flowers in His Hair as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A warm and powerful story that brings to life a pure and poignant friendship that children will never forget.

David is the boy with flowers in his hair. He's sweet and gentle, just like his petals. But when David's flowers begin to fall - a single petal at first, then every last blossom - his best friend never leaves his side. And through kindness and creativity, he even finds a way to give David his colour back... Beautifully illustrated, this story is about being there for someone when they're at their most vulnerable.


Book cover of Be the Difference: 40+ ideas for kids to create positive change using empathy, kindness, equality and environmental awareness

Dawn Wynne Author Of Midnight Mission: An Eco Avengers Series

From my list on educate and inspire kids about the environment.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been an educator for over 20 years teaching elementary-aged children. The environment is a passion of mine. After reading the book Plastic Ocean and meeting the author Charles Moore, I realized that the issues facing our environment are going to be best solved by the upcoming generation of children. They understand how important it is to preserve our planet. Combining my love of writing with my education background, I started writing books to teach children about the environment and inspire them to make lasting changes. I love recommending books that have the same mission. Small actions equal great changes! 

Dawn's book list on educate and inspire kids about the environment

Dawn Wynne Why Dawn loves this book

We’re all looking for ways to teach our children to care for each other as well as our planet. This is a wonderful way to engage kids and get them thinking about the greater good. Filled with fun ideas, children are empowered to make a difference. I love the discussion questions to prompt thinking and the place for children to write down their own ideas. 

By Jayneen Sanders , Cherie Zamazing (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Be the Difference as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 6, 7, 8, and 9.

What is this book about?

This engaging book provides over 40 powerful ideas on how kids and the people who love them can make a difference. Using kid-friendly text and beautiful illustrations, the focus is on three key areas: empathy and kindness, racial and gender equality, and caring for the environment. We know from research that ‘doing good is good for you’. The participant benefits both mentally and physically. Encouraging a mindset of giving and being part of positive change when a child is young, benefits both the child and their future. The aim of this book is to introduce kids to the many positive…


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Book cover of The Whale Surfaces: Prequel to Escaping The Whale

The Whale Surfaces by Ruth Rotkowitz,

The Whale Surfaces follows a daughter of Holocaust survivors who tries to deal with trans-generational trauma.

From the age of eleven to 22, she struggles to be ‘normal’ and to conceal the demons haunting her. Her sensitivity to her parents’ past and to injustices everywhere prevents her from enjoying life.…

Book cover of The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World

Matthew D. Luttig Author Of The Closed Partisan Mind: A New Psychology of American Polarization

From my list on open your mind reduce political polarization.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an Associate Professor of political science at Colgate University. I grew up in a home with tremendous ideological diversity and rigorous political disputes, which caused my interest in learning more about why and how people become their political selves. This interest developed into an academic background in the field of political psychology, which uses psychological theories to understand the origins and nature of political attitudes. Out of this scholarship, I developed a theory about the relationship between closed minds and partisan polarization, which I examine in my book. Now I am looking for ways to create open minds and foster a less polarized community.

Matthew's book list on open your mind reduce political polarization

Matthew D. Luttig Why Matthew loves this book

Jamil Zaki’s investigations into the psychology of empathy suggest it may be an important resource to combat rising levels of political polarization. Zaki makes a strong case that empathy is a malleable characteristic—that it can be grown or expanded.

He suggests that we can train our minds to empathize beyond our narrow ingroups. Collectively, these findings, and others, lead me to believe that a more empathic community may be a more open one.

By Jamil Zaki ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The War for Kindness as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“In this masterpiece, Jamil Zaki weaves together the very latest science with stories that will stay in your heart forever.”—Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

Don’t miss Jamil Zaki’s TED Talk, “We’re experiencing an empathy shortage, but we can fix it together,” online now.

Empathy is in short supply. We struggle to understand people who aren’t like us, but find it easy to hate them. Studies show that we are less caring than we were even thirty years ago. In 2006, Barack Obama said that the United States was suffering from an “empathy deficit.” Since then, things seem to have only…


Book cover of The Kindness Book

Rana DiOrio Author Of What Does It Mean to Be Kind?

From my list on foster kindness in kids and their caring adults.

Why am I passionate about this?

My interest in kindness was renewed when I became a mother. I realized the best gift I could give my children was raising them to be kind. So, I founded a children’s media company (now sold), Little Pickle Press, dedicated to fostering kindness in children. It was a Certified B Corporation, so we prioritized our people and the planet over profit. And we brought to life many stories from diverse voices that showed children and their caring adults the power of kindness. Today, I sit on the Board and serve as Treasurer of Kindness.org, a non-profit researching the science of kindness and developing programs to apply it in classrooms, corporations, and homes. 

Rana's book list on foster kindness in kids and their caring adults

Rana DiOrio Why Rana loves this book

I love this introduction to kindness, especially for younger children, because it is so accessible and relatable. Todd Parr’s insightful prose and whimsical illustrations capture the essence of kindness and spark curiosity in readers about how they can be kind—to themselves, to others, and to their communities.

By Todd Parr ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Kindness Book as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

With his trademark bright colours and bold lines, Todd Parr takes on a topic more important than ever: being kind to each other. This idea is both a perfect fit for Todd's cheerful, child-friendly positivity and incredibly close to Todd's own heart. No matter what other people choose to do, you can always choose to be kind -- and what a wonderful thing to be! Today's parents and teachers are looking for ways to instil empathy and kindness in children at a young age - this book is the perfect introduction to a timely and timeless topic.


Book cover of I Like You

Sarah Williamson Author Of Elevator Bird

From my list on teaching kids kindness.

Why am I passionate about this?

Of all the lessons that we should be teaching kids, I think kindness should be at the top of everyone’s list. If people treated every human and sentient being with kindness and compassion the world would be a better place, which is something we all want. The more we can illustrate this for children the better so that they can understand that we are all in this together and that everyone deserves respect.

Sarah's book list on teaching kids kindness

Sarah Williamson Why Sarah loves this book

I love this charming book about the kindness that comes with friendship. Pen drawings accompany the text, which is at certain times silly, other times fun, and at the best of times poignant. Point in case:

“And I like you because

When I am feeling sad you don’t always cheer me up right away

Sometimes it is better to be sad."

I’m not sure every child would understand the significance of that sentence. But the words at some point in their lives will come back around. The book lists reasons why we like our friends, namely because they offer us kindness and empathy when we are down. And when we are up, they take pleasure in the moment right alongside us – a valuable lesson for kids.

By Sandol Stoddard Warburg , Jacqueline Chwast (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Like You as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This classic and funny hardcover picture book is the perfect way to say I like you.

A deeply affectionate celebration of all the reasons we like each other, here is the book that Romeo would have given Juliet, Charlie Brown would have given Snoopy, and you can give to some very special friend.

This book expresses the true meaning of friendship in a long list of ways with charming accompanying illustrations by Jacqueline Chwast. For example: I like you because you know where I'm ticklish, and you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes!

Whether for…


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Book cover of The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More: A Great Wharf Novel

The Year Mrs. Cooper Got Out More by Meredith Marple,

The coastal tourist town of Great Wharf, Maine, boasts a crime rate so low you might suspect someone’s lying.

Nevertheless, jobless empty nester Mallory Cooper has become increasingly reclusive and fearful. Careful to keep the red wine handy and loath to leave the house, Mallory misses her happier self—and so…

Book cover of Applied Empathy: The New Language of Leadership

Minter Dial Author Of Heartificial Empathy: Putting Heart into Business and Artificial Intelligence

From my list on artificial intelligence, emotions, and empathy.

Why am I passionate about this?

Having studied literature at university and been a closet nerd, coding at night in a dank basement room, I've always been intrigued by the interface between human and machine. Then, as a senior executive in a large multinational, I was acutely aware of the value of empathy as a leadership skill. In a world that is increasingly divided and divisive, I’ve become an empathy activist. I believe that the business world can be a force for positive change, but as a society we will need to engage in a much more meaningful and rigorous debate about the ethics involved in the opportunities offered by using artificial intelligence and robots in the workplace. 

Minter's book list on artificial intelligence, emotions, and empathy

Minter Dial Why Minter loves this book

With business conditions and prospects looking so difficult, we will need to be ever more strategic in the use of our resources. In this light, Michael Ventura’s practical approach to inserting empathy into leadership and how businesses should function with a higher degree of empathy is a tremendous read. Ventura uses a host of case studies based on the work he’s done with his company, Sub Rosa. As such, the material is real life and the book is packed with a host of great and practical exercises. While it’s all about empathy in business, the book is also a good reminder of how empathy can be useful in our private lives, our intimate relationships and in society in general. 

By Michael Ventura ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Applied Empathy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Michael Ventura, entrepreneur and CEO of award-winning strategy and design practice Sub Rosa, shares how empathy - the ability to see the world through someone else's eyes - could be what your business needs to innovate, connect, and grow.

Having built his career working with iconic brands and institutions such as Google and Nike, and also The United Nations and the Obama Administration, Michael Ventura offers entrepreneurs and executives a radical new business book and way forward.

Empathy is not about being nice. It's not about pity or sympathy either. It's about understanding - your consumers, your colleagues, and yourself…


Book cover of The Color Monster: A Story about Emotions
Book cover of I'm NOT just a Scribble...
Book cover of Our Class is a Family

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