As the parent of two children, I work hard to instill values of simplicity and minimalism in their lives. The formula is the same as teaching any value we desire to pass on: lead by example, look for teachable moments, and hope for the best. Because ultimately, in the end, they will make their own choices.
But if passing along the value of simplicity to your children is important to you, here are 10 children’s books that will help (arranged by age).
Ten Children’s Books to Inspire Simplicity
A Squash and A Squeeze by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. (Ages: 3-5). When a little old lady can’t stand her tiny house any longer, a wise old man gives her some strange advice asking her to bring the farm animals indoors. Quickly she makes an important realization: her house is not too small, she just needs fewer animals inside it.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister & J Alison James. (Ages: 3-8). This international bestseller has been adapted into an animated television series. But it is best known for its simple story about a beautiful fish who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions.
The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies (Ages: 4-8) and Old Hat New Hat (Ages: 4-6) by Stan Berenstain & Jan Berenstain. Many parents are aware of The Berenstain Bear series. If you are looking for two books out of the series specifically addressing the lesson that happiness cannot be found in consumerism, these two should do the trick.
The Biggest House in the World by Leo Lionni. (Ages: 4-7). A beautiful story about a snail who dreams of a bigger house, but soon realizes there are more important things in life. Not only does this story draw attention to the personal burden of overconsumption, it also highlights the benefit and freedom of owning less.
Too Many Toys by David Shannon. (Ages: 4-8). Spencer has too many toys and they’ve become a hazard to his family. But when his mom tries to help him get rid of a few, Spencer experiences all the emotions you might expect. If your child has a hard time getting rid of unused toys, he or she will quickly identify with the young boy.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko. (Ages: 4-8). Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. But when an unfortunate turn of events requires her to save the prince wearing nothing more than a plain, brown bag, she discovers where true beauty is found. The book is short, cute, and terribly empowering.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. (Ages: 4-8). With his trademark, whimsical characters and classically brilliant rhymes, Dr. Seuss communicates an important, not-so-subtle message, “There is danger in mindless consumption. Not just for the earth, but for ourselves.”
King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte Craft & Kinuko Craft. (Ages: 5-9). Based on the classic story from Greek mythology, the tale of King Midas continues to warn children (and adults) about the dangers of greed and gold, and the reality that what may seem to be a great blessing, may actually be a great danger.
The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau & Gail de Marcken. (Ages: 5-10). A greedy king learns an important lesson from a generous, humble quiltmaker. And in the end, the greatest gift she gives to him may not be what’s expected.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery & Richard Howard. (Ages: 11-13). First published in 1943, The Little Prince is the best-selling children’s book of all time. And while its allegorical story addresses a wide number of life lessons, the emptiness of consumerism is certainly one of them.
If you are looking for a meaningful gift idea during the holiday and/or birthday season, I recommend any of the books above.
You can also find many of them read aloud on YouTube or available at your local library.
For an additional list of book ideas, check out Rachel Jonat’s 10 Great Books to Teach & Inspire Simplicity in Kids.
Hi Joshua
Thanks for these great ideas. Can I also suggest ‘The Grinch‘ by Dr. Seuss. I think it has a wonderful message about the true value of Christmas. A great lesson at this time of year.
Thanks for all of your inspiration in living a simpler life with children. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
The Grinch is the Christmas favourite in our house. We’ve got a copy with the late Rik Mayall reading it – fantastic.
A friend told me her 4 yr old granddaughter (preschool) has so many toys given to her and hard to play with all of them as many were similar. She told me girl’s mother donated some to the foster care program as kids would enjoy them, also like new toy collections for needy kids or drop off in the low income public housing office. Same with children’s clothing still wearable. We are having a coat/jacket collection thru Jan. at fire depts in our city for needy families which many cities do. People have stuff laying around no longer used, incl children’s books and games they can pass on.
David Shannon’s “Too many toys” is the perfect allegory for adults. We hate letting go of stuff. Yet once we experience the freedom of minimalism, we wonder why we held on to all that stuff!
Great list. Thanks for sharing!
I might also suggest “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Great message about the joys of giving unconditionally, and about stuff not leading to happiness, and about not needing much of anything as we get older.
Oh these sounds fantastic! Though we have already bought our “read” gifts for our boys this christmas. We will have to have a good hunt at the library. :)
This is something we work so hard on with our boys- children are amazing at their depth of understanding if given a proper chance. :)
xx
Does anyone have any suggestions for teenagers/young adults? Thanks
Nellie,
I wrote a book for teenagers and young adults a few years back. Though it’s a bit more Christian-specific than my other books: Living With Less: An Unexpected Key to Happiness (Simply for Students)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott! You will be surprised at just how many golden nuggets of life wisdom are tucked away in this treasure of a book. Obviously better suited for girls rather than boys, but it’s a touching tale that helps me keep my priorities in line and is definitely easy enough for adolescents. I’ve read it twice this year!
“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen. An exciting survival story that boys and girls like. Stripped to the basic, what do we really need to survive? One of the most important things — KNOWLEDGE.
Also “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett (who also wrote “The Secret Garden”). A rich girl has almost everything taken from her, but keeps her self-respect and determination to make the most of all circumstances.
Merry Christmas!
Also a veggie tales movie about this on. Littlest Princess.
My kids are 4 and 5 and they love the Berenstain Bears. The book ‘Get the Gimmies’ is great for conversations at that age :)
You’ve missed out the best one of all … Whatever Wanda Wanted by Jude Wisdom
It’s the best !
I was hoping you would include The Quiltmaker’s Gift… Equally as good is The Quiltmaker’s Journey… Just read these to my first grade class and they loved it! The discussion afterward was very enlightening!
My favorite is a children’s book called The Gift of Nothing. It is a sweet story of Mooch (a cat) who wants to give his best friend Earl (a dog) a gift. Mooch decides that this task isn’t easy as Earl has everything he needs…a bowl, a bed and a chewy toy. What do you get someone who has everything? Nothing, of course! This is where Mooch’s search for nothing begins. It’s a beautiful little story!
That book was on my short list, for sure.
Loretta: I was discussing pet gifts with a lady with three dogs and two cats. Like my one cat, they have everything, so give them chewy treats and lots of hugs and kisses! Joshua: I will encourage other retirees I know to “clear out unused stuff” and donate this time of year, going thru each room, then go thru rooms the second time.
Was going to suggest this one as well! Love it!!
Love Mooch and Earl! Just placed this one (and most of the other ones on request at the library.) Thank you Joshua and everyone for the great suggestions.
Thank you so much for this list!! My only child, an autistic 5-year-old, has just learned about consumerism. He tells me every day about the big (expensive) pieces he wants for his train set. I’ve tried to teach him that Santa will bring him one gift, but he has now started drawling stores saying that toys come from Walmart, Target, and Toys “R” Us (because relatives buy him a gift cards for those stores). I’m going to try to find these books at the library and hopefully they will get through to him.
Also Mole had Everything is a good book.
Another great one is The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool, an original fable about the wise use of resources and having only what you need.
In this lovely, dreamy fable, a wise young boy spins clouds into cloth under the stricture “Enough is enough and not one stitch more.” One day a greedy king spies his cloud-woven scarf and wants more, more, more, despite the young boy’s warnings. When the king’s greed dries up the clouds, it’s up to the observant princess and the wise boy to set things right.
Released as Cloth From the Clouds in Britain, this story has a universal appeal for both boys and girls, and works beautifully for a read-aloud. Catchpool employs the stricture from the story, using just enough words to convey the story and “not one [word] more.” Further, he understands the need for key (non-annoying) repetitive phases that keep the story anchored, and delivers his message of conservation in a gentle but effective manner.
Pooh, the Giving Bear walls someone through how erational it is we keep things when we have plenty and can always get more if needed in the future.
Franklin’s Christmas Gift is another one, it’s about Franklin giving his favorite toy to a child in need and although he may miss it he had the good all over feeling of doing the right thing.
Instagram at @cozycolorfulminimalist
I appologize auto correct ruined my post. I need to read it over next time.
I love the lorax :)
Also, the Beatrix Potter books are perfect for young kids and have beautiful illustrations :)
Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk
Check out Mr. King’s Things & Mr. King’s Castle both by Geneviève Côté. Both are a simple story about too much stuff.
Hi! Would you happen to have any recommendations for teenagers to read? My kids are 12, 17 and 21. I’m just waking up to minimalism my self and I would love to have another voice to talk to them, too! Or inspiring movies? Little prince we have ❤
If you have girls, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott! It’s a lifetime favorite of mine.
Some firm favourites in this list and some new ones to discover. I’m off to the library this morning, so will be on the look out for these. Thank you.
I really love this post, Joshua! We’ve been working so hard on ‘explaining’ and ‘teaching’ our 4 year old and probably not enough of letting her learn it through books. I’m saving this list, and some of those recommended in the comments.
Hi Lisa, we were given a copy of “Just Enough and Not Too Much” by Kaethe Zemach and my 2.5 and 4 year old boys really get the simple message. I highly recommend it.
I just wanted to thank you for these invaluable messages! It has enriched my life and has caused me to reflect on the madness and pointlessness of accumulating things.
Joshua this list is just in the nick of time. I was just thinking about books this morning that I could get my 9 year old son. He prefers a more minimalist lifestyle, like myself, but he also loves to read…so hopefully he won’t mind a few items :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
The Paper Bag Princess- what a gem! We loved reading this to our 4 daughters when they were little. Thank you for this list!
I would like some suggestions on electronics. I have a simple cell phone which is all I want or need. I would like to listen to audiobooks while I walk. Have you any suggestions?
Much appreciated
These are great suggestions, Joshua! Thanks.
I also like “Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” by D. B. Johnson, inspired by a passage by Henry David Thoreau. Fantastic picture book for ages 4-8, it shows that there is more than one way to approach life and its challenges; also that money can’t buy everything. In fact, the typical life path (the pursuit of money) may leave no room for wonder, exploration, appreciation, serendipity, joy — and may also leave you feeling tired, frazzled, stressed, and empty.
The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but in particular “The Long Winter”. There is a particularly wonderful chapter about giving and receiving gifts at Christmas that I am often reminded of this time of year.
“The Long Winter” is my favorite Little House book!
I second this series. The Ingalls family lived a full life with just a wagon of goods. I think this series started me on the minimalist journey as a young child.
Great list! If anyone is looking for the message in video form, our kids enjoyed “Madame Blueberry” from the Veggie Tales series. Here’s a summary: Even though Madame Blueberry lives in a nice treehouse, and has lots of friends, she is still upset because she always thinks she needs more “stuff”. When a new Stuff-Mart superstore opens up near her home, she loads up with everything she can, but is still sad. Eventually, Madame Blueberry learns that it’s important to be thankful for what you already have.
Hi Josh,
I’ve been following you for awhile and embrace minimalism in my life also.
I really enjoyed this post. As a children’s book author and publisher you are spot on here.
Thanks!
We also try to read books about people who make things and make do with what they have. The books “I Love Old Clothes” and “I Had a Favorite Dress” have been very helpful in our understanding of clothing. There are also some books about making homemade gifts, like “Crafty Chloe.” There’s also a fun book about a dumpster diver that rescues stuff from the trash and then fixes it.
Our family lived Rabbit’s New Rug by Judy Delton and Marc Brown. Rabbit buys a new rug and then won’t have any friends visit in case they damage it!
A thoughtful and entertaining story for younger readers. It is a good book to read aloud from as well
We love the book Something From Nothing
by Phoebe Gilman!!
Love “Something From Nothing!” One of my kids’ favorite books when they were little (close to 20 years ago).
Really? I hate The Rainbow Fish. I can’t understand its popularity. The fish is vain and has no friends so he buys the ‘friendship’ of all of the other fish with his scales. While a gift from the heart is a beautiful thing, and giving of yourself can be a selfless thing to do, this story is not like that. Octopus tells him to give away his scales (literally parts of himself) and then suddenly all the other fish are crowding around begging for them. There is nothing about this story I support.
I too embrace more of a minimalist life, and its so freeing! May I suggest another one, The World is My Drum by Amber Richards. It is for young children, but the theme is about using what’s around you in creative ways.
Hey,
Thanks so much for sharing this list! These books are all really great choices. I remember reading the Little Prince as a kid, it is a classic!
Best,
Dennis
Material World: A Global Family Portrait by Peter Menzel
Families from around the world have all their possessions in front of their houses.
I am now taking my children to the library once every 2 weeks. Only when I go, I am encouraging them to take books they haven’t read in a long while, to donate so other children can read them.
I am so grateful for all these book ideas on too much! Wonderful. Putting some on hold at the libray tonight!