Sometimes kids learn good behavior more easily through watching those around them than they do through be told what how to act. Here are three precious picture books that provide wonderful models of compassion, caring, and kindness.

1. Hug Machine by Scott Campbell

Hug Machine has super powers! His hugs can brighten anyone's day. He hugs and hugs and hugs until he can hug no more. He only takes breaks for pizza and a hug from his own mom.

2. I Love You Sun, I Love You Moon by Karen Pandell with pictures by Tomie dePaola

We have so many of Tomie dePaola's books on our shelves. He is truly one of the best and most hard working producers of children's books around today. From his work documenting tradition folk tales to his treasured tale Strega Nona, his fun and fluid writing style pairs so well with his plump, friendly people in his illustrations. I Love You, Sun. I Love You, Moon. combines the sweet, simple story teaching respect for all of the Earth's creatures from the moon to birds to rocks to water written by Karen Pandell with the warm and gentle pictures we have come to know and love from Tomie dePaola. This is a great book for ages 0-3.

3. Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell

Patrick McDonnell is the creator of Mutts, a comic strip running since 1994 that has received a lot of praise including Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schultz, who called the strip "the best comic strip running". In Hug Time, McDonnell's Mutts character, a kitten named Jules, embarks on a quest to spread love across the world. He wants to hug as many creatures as he can. He sails on ocean liners, walks long distances, and travels far and wide, distributing hugs to all manner of animals - tigers, fish, even a polar bear in the lonely arctic.