The Birdman. Written by Veronika Martenova Charles. Illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko & Stephan Daigle. Tundra Books, 2006. 32 pages. After losing his family to an accident, a Calcutta tailor purchases wild birds at market and sets them free. Based on a true story of compassion detailed in an afterword. KIND Children's Honor book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2-6.

Buddy Unchained. Written by Daisy Bix. Illustrated by Joel Hyatt. Gryphon Press, 2006. 24 pages. Buddy the dog, once lived outside on the end of a chain. Buddy tells how he was rescued and placed with a loving family in this book dedicated to each person who helps to protect animals. KIND Children's Book Award. ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3. For more information about this topic, visit Dogs Deserve Better and Unchain Your Dog.

The Deliverance of Dancing Bears. Written and illustrated by Elizabeth Stanley. Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2004, 1994. 1st American ed. 40 pages. A beautifully told story about a dancing bear who dreams of freedom and the man who makes the dream come true. In a postscript, the author reports that the World Society for the Protection of Animals rescued the bears who inspired her to write the story. ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 2-6.

Grady the Goose. Written by Denise Brennan-Nelson. Illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe. Sleeping Bear Press, 2006. 32 pages. Grady, a young goose, is left behind when her family leaves to fly south. A compassionate farmer finds the lone goose and reunites her with her parents, siblings and flock. The author provides goose facts and vocabulary for readers to refer to. The publisher provides a teacher's guide on their web site. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Here, There and Everywhere: The Story of Sreeeeeeeet the Lorikeet. Written by Mira Tweti. Illustrated by Lisa Brady. With a foreward by Jane Goodall. Parrot Press, 2008. 47 pages. A young Lorikeet is snatched away from his family and brought to America where he is sold in a pet shop. The Lorikeet's guardians, a boy and his parents, soon realize the bird does not belong in captivity so they they return him to his native New Guinea where he is reunited with his family. This captivating story, based on actual events, will help bring much needed awareness to the plight of caged/imprisoned birds. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2 and up.

How to Heal a Broken Wing. Written and illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press, 2008. 40 pages. A pigeon lays injured on a city sidewalk and only one boy notices the bird and stops to help. With tender loving care, the pigeon heals and is able to return to the sky. A simple yet deeply humane book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades Pre S-2. To learn more about pigeons, read ASPCA's Animal Lessons Newsletter In Praise of Pigeons which also provides activities for grades K-8. PIGEONS IN THE CITY from UFT's Humane Education Committee, the ASPCA and HEART is a lesson for Grades: PreK - 1.

Itsy Bitsy & Teeny Weeny. Written by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen. Illustrated by Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen. Sleeping Bear Press, 2009. 48 pages. A wonderful addition to the Hazel Ridge Farm Story Series about a lamb and an orphaned fawn whose lives are saved by a dedicated wildlife rehabilitator. The pair, raised together as siblings develop a strong bond. This passionately told story about love and letting go is complemented by the realistic illustrations. The author and illustrator have once again created an enchanting and inspiring book. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 1-6.

Madeline's Miracle. Written by Loren Spiotta-DiMare. Photography and book design by Jeanne Balsam. J. Pace Publications, 2004. 32 pages. A disabled pony, only able to walk on three legs, Madeline is taken in by Mylestone Equine Rescue in Pohatcong, New Jersey. Hearing of Madeline's plight, local children raise funds for surgery and a brace to restore the young pony's mobility. Nonfiction photo-essay. Interest level: Gr. 2-6.

Monkey for Sale. By Sanna Stanley. Frances Foster Books, 2002. 32 pages. A story about two determined girls who purchase a monkey's freedom at a market through a great deal of bartering and bargaining. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 1-4.

Orville: a Dog Story. Written by Haven Kimmel. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Clarion Books, 2003. 32 pages. A dog lives on the end of a chain until a new neighbor moves in and gives him the loving home that he deserves. KIND Children's Honor Book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr 2-5. For more information about this topic, visit Dogs Deserve Better and Unchain Your Dog.

South. By Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown and Co., 2008. 48 pages. After a long nap, a bird awakens to find his flock has flown south. In this nearly wordless picture book, Mooch the cat (from the popular Mutts cartoon), lends the bird a helping paw. They walk and walk until they find the flock. After a hug goodbye, the little bird rejoins his flock and Mooch returns home for a well earned rest. A simple yet powerful story about compassion. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreK-3.

The Stray Kitten. Written by Judy Waite. Illustrated by Gavin Rowe. Interlink Books, 2000. 32 pages. A poignant story about a kitten who struggles to survive and would not have if it were not for the boy who rescued him when he was too weak to struggle. The kitten learns love through the compassionate action of the boy. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 1-3.

Tenzin's Deer. Written by Barbara Soros. Illustrated by Danuta Mayer. Barefoot Books, 2003. 32 pages. In Tibet, the people pray "May no harm come to us. May we love one another well. May we be kind to all creatures of the earth." Tenzin, known for his tender and loving heart, nurses a wounded deer back to health. And once healed, sets him free. Highly recommended. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 3-6.

Victor, the Vegetarian: Saving Little Lambs. Written by Radha Vignola. Illustrated by Julia Bauer. AVIVA!, 1994. 56 pages. Victor, a boy who lives on a farm with his parents, realizes he doesn't want to eat lamb chops and runs away with his lambs to save their lives. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 1-3.

Lessons in Compassion:

Grades 1, 2 & 3: Dumb Friends League's Choosing compassion with the book, Caesar: On Deaf Ears. Written by Loren Spiotta-DiMare. Illustrated by Kara Lee. The Benefactory, Inc., 1997. 32 pages.

Grades 3-12: Cultivating Compassion: Teachers' Guide and Student Activities is a free downloadable publication produced by Farm Sanctuary offers lesson plans, hand-outs, and activities for teaching that farmed animals have feelings, too.

Grades 4-5: Animal Compassion from the United Federation of Teachers.

Teaching Compassion: A Guide for Humane Educators, Teachers, and Parents. Written by Pamela Raphael, Libby Coleman and Lynn Loar. Latham Foundation for the Promotion of Humane Education, 1999. 130 pages. In addition to providing lesson plans, there is a section devoted to handling disclosures of child and animal abuse.

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