Vegan Children’s Books can help youngsters nurture their innate compassion for others, including animals. Many of the books in this list are beautifully illustrated picture books that very young children will find engaging. Others are more practical, such as vegan cookbooks for kids that will help them create their own delicious plant-based meals. Request any of these books at your local library or click the link to see the book on Amazon.
Vegan Children’s Books to Nurture Compassion
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Vegan Children's Books
The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig
"When Steve and Derek adopted a mini pig named Esther, they had no idea that she would turn out to be not-so-mini after all. When her new family saw just how big and wonderful Esther really was, they fell in love--and their lives changed forever."
Sprig the Rescue Pig
"Things aren't looking good for Sprig, who is packed into a fast-moving truck with dozens of other pigs. He doesn't know where they're going but his nose knows there's something better out there. So with one dramatic leap, or really more of a tumble, Sprig sets out on a pig-centered adventure that leads him to his new best friend, a girl named Rory. Inspired by true events, this light-hearted tale introduces kids to an intelligent and inquisitive pig who finds his way to a good life."
Gwen the Rescue Hen
"Gwen has spent her whole life in a big egg-laying hen house, so she knows very little about what chickens can do (besides lay eggs, of course). A fateful tornado turns her world upside-down and sideways, landing her in a strange new place that's nothing like the hen house."
Chickpea Runs Away
"Chickpea the cow lives in an overcrowded barn on a large farm. She watches as her friends and family are taken away to an uncertain fate. One day, the farmer leads Chickpea and all the rest of the cows outdoors to a scary-looking truck, and Chickpea knows she shouldn't go. Making a split-second decision, she leaps the fence and escapes into the woods."
Happy Animals: Friends Not Food
"This cheerful and beautifully illustrated children's book provides an entertaining introduction to the meaning and compassion behind the choice to live a vegan lifestyle. Kids will meet six named characters from the animal kingdom and learn fun facts about each so they can see them as the lovable, sentient creatures they are."
Not A Nugget
"Food or friend? Through fun animal facts and charming illustrations, "Not A Nugget" shows children a different way to view animals and their food."
Charlie to the Rescue!
"When Charlie the chicken learns that animal farms are dangerous places, he is determined to rescue the animals from Bradley’s Farm. However, he quickly realizes that freeing his new friends from the farm isn’t enough."
Vegan Family
"In a fun, rhyming poem that utilizes the first letters of VEGAN FAMILY, Randi Seltzer Bonica highlights the conversations and challenges that young vegans might encounter as they learn that not everyone sees the world their way."
Dave Loves Chickens
"This fun, lighthearted book, full of bold colors and friendly illustrations, is ideal for parents who would like to introduce their children to a more compassionate way of treating animals."
That's Why We Don't Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things
"That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals uses colorful artwork and lively text to introduce vegetarianism and veganism to early readers (ages six to ten). Written and illustrated by Ruby Roth, the book features an endearing animal cast of pigs, turkeys, cows, quail, turtles, and dolphins."
Vegan Is Love: Having Heart and Taking Action
"In Vegan Is Love, author-illustrator Ruby Roth introduces young readers to veganism as a lifestyle of compassion and action."
V Is for Vegan: The ABCs of Being Kind
"Introducing three- to seven-year-olds to the "ABCs" of a compassionate lifestyle, V Is for Vegan is a must-have for vegan and vegetarian parents, teachers, and activists!"
Santa's First Vegan Christmas
"Meet Dana, a forthright and fun-loving reindeer who lives in the Arctic. On Christmas Eve, she meets Santa Claus, who has come looking for reindeer to pull his sleigh. Dana gently opens Santa's eyes to how we can be more kind to animals."
I'm a Supervegan: A Confidence-Building Children's Book for Our Littlest Vegans
"Through vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, I'm a Supervegan uses the wonder of childhood imagination to show Elizabeth's journey through self-doubt."
Junebug: No Life Too Small
"In this charming story about respecting the smallest forms of life, June helps her friends see that we should not harm those who have a right to be here just as we do, no matter how tiny they are."
Mindfulness for Vegan Children
"Julia Barcalow's Mindfulness for Vegan Children teaches mindfulness through imagery and breathing techniques that incorporate the five senses. Written with vegan families in mind, the book delivers a message of kindness and compassion toward all beings and the planet we call home."
Steven the Vegan
"Steven and his classmates go on a field trip to a local farm sanctuary. While there Steven's classmates learn that he is a vegan. Steven, along with many of the farm animals, teaches his friends why for him, animals are his friends, not his food."
We All Love: A Book for Compassionate Little Vegans and Vegetarians
“We all Love is a book for tender-hearted kids who want to live a compassionate lifestyle. It explores the earliest stages of empathy where we learn to recognize the things we have in common."
I Am Not Food
"A cute yet powerful, beautifully illustrated children's board book written poetically from the perspective of various animals who explain why they are not food."
What Vegan Kids Eat!
"What Vegan Kids Eat is the first book that celebrates the wide variety of foods that vegan children enjoy. The book debunks the notion that vegan kids suffer from a lack of delicious food options. The truth is quite the opposite! This fun, lighthearted book, full of bold colors and friendly illustrations, is ideal for parents who would like to teach their children that being vegan is not only healthy and good for the animals, but is also delicious and fun."
That's Not My Momma's Milk!
"That's Not My Momma's Milk is a vegan children's board book for the youngest of readers. Through simple, repetitive language, and beautiful illustrations, children are introduced to various animals nursing their young. This book teaches compassion for all living beings and shows the unmistakable bond that all mommas have with their young."
Mommy, What's a Vegan?
"When Sebastian's classmate refuses a cookie at lunchtime, he wonders 'What kind of kid refuses a cookie?'"
What is a Vegan?
"'What is a Vegan?' takes a kind and loving approach to help children understand what it truly means to be vegan."
The Vegan Alphabet Book: Let's Learn the Alphabet - Vegan Style!
"Join Tofu & Tempeh and many other vegan characters as we learn the alphabet… vegan style!"
The Vegan Cookbook for Kids: Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Young Chefs
"Kids in the kitchen know how to have fun―and eat well, too! Have a blast cooking (and devouring) delicious meals with The Vegan Cookbook for Kids. This kids cookbook is packed with easy-to-follow recipes for flavorful vegan food. Now you can create scrumptious vegan meals with your own two hands―and share them with your family and friends!"
Kid Chef Vegan: The Foodie Kid's Vegan Cookbook
"What’s the best way to get kids excited about eating healthier? Involve them in the process! Whether your young chef already loves plant-based dishes, or you just want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their repertoire, Kids Chef Vegan will get them excited about eating more whole foods by teaching them how to create an amazing variety of mouthwatering meat-free, egg-free, and dairy-free meals."
The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids: 60 Easy Plant-Based Recipes Kids Can Make to Stay Healthy and Save the Earth
"Struggling to get your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables? Try letting them help themselves!"
