Sophie's Lovely Locks Hardcover by Erica Pelton Villnave

There are lots of ways to give more than time and money — you can even give when you get a haircut! Sophie loves her long, twirly, fancy hair... until she realizes that her extra-long hair tangles, snarls, and gets in the way of her busy days full of active play. The day she accidentally gets gum in her hair, she decides it's time for a new style — and learns that her hair can provide lovely locks for another child who has none. The final page shows a heartwarming image of an excited child receiving a much-anticipated wig made from Sophie's hair. This charming story includes a list of three different organizations that accept hair donations. For another book with a similar message, check out Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair, also for ages 4 to 8.

The Can Man Paperback, by Laura E Williams

Tim's birthday is just a week away, and more than anything he wants a skateboard. But money is tight, and Tim knows his family cannot afford to buy him a board.

As Tim ponders how he might earn money for a skateboard, he hears The Can Man down the street collecting empty soft drink cans. The clang of the cans in the homeless man's cart gives Tim an idea. He will collect cans too, and cash them in for the redemption money. By the end of the week, Tim has almost reached his goal--until a couple of chance encounters with The Can Man change everything.

Told with honesty and respect, this timely story shines a perceptive light on current social concerns. Readers will be encouraged to think beyond themselves and celebrate the simple acts of kindness and sharing that make a difference in people's lives.

Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier

More than anything, Beatrice longs to be a schoolgirl. But in her small African village, only children who can afford uniforms and books can go to school. Beatrice knows that with six children to care for, her family is much too poor.

But then Beatrice receives a wonderful gift from some people far away -- a goat! Fat and sleek as a ripe mango, Mugisa (which means "luck") gives milk that Beatrice can sell. With Mugisa's help, it looks as if Beatrice's dream may come true after all.

Page McBrier and Lori Lohstoeter beautifully recount this true story about how one child, given the right tools, is able to lift her family out of poverty. Thanks to Heifer Project International -- a charitable organization that donates livestock to poor communities around the world -- other families like Beatrice's will also have a chance to change their lives.

The Littlest Volunteers by Danielle Speckhart

The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills (JLOSH), New Jersey presents The Littlest Volunteers. Created with the help of parents and teachers, this book is a fun and interactive way to introduce children to volunteerism. The benefits of volunteering include: building self-confidence, teaching responsibility and appreciating one's community. The Littlest Volunteers reinforces many important values including compassion, empathy and generosity as children follow the exciting adventure of Annie and her friends. They learn that they too can make a difference: "You have a big heart, and that's a great start!" BONUS CD: The book is read by Raven-Symoné of That's So Raven and Cheetah Girls and features "Come on and Volunteer" performed and written by Ernie and Neal.

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by Dyanne DiSalvo

A gentle and age-appropiate introduction to two key issues of our time—hunger and homelessness—from a kid's point of view. This empathy-building book is good for sharing at home or in a classroom.

“Based on the actual volunteer experience of the author, this picture book provides a look into the soup kitchen without an overly sentimental view of the hungry or a dose of pessimism for the reader. With a note about soup kitchens introducing the story, this is informative and new, but not scary,” praised Booklist.

Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt

Recommended Age: 4 - 9

It's also important to remind Mighty Girls in need can exist close to home as well. Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood and attend the same school, but when Sofia looks for a snack in Maddi's fridge one day, she is shocked to discover that her friend Maddi spends many of her days hungry. Maddi makes Sofia promise not to tell, but it's hard for Sofia to enjoy all the good food on her own family's table when she knows Maddi's family has none. This compassionate look at hunger in local communities also provides some great tips on how even young Mighty Girls can make a difference.

The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen

One snowy day an elderly woman, Sarah, watches children gathering at the bus stop. While they never seem to notice her, she notices them, especially one little boy who has no mittens. That night, Sarah knits the boy a pair of cozy mittens and places them on the blue spruce tree for him to discover. It soon becomes a game, with the children looking for new mittens on the mysterious tree every morning, and Sarah joyfully knitting new ones each night. With its touching message and delightful illustrations, adults and children will enjoy this intergenerational tale for years to come

If Everybody Did by Jo Ann Stover

The hilarious and terrible consequences of everyone doing his own thing are portrayed by author/artist Jo Ann Stover in If Everybody Did. Children and adults alike will enjoy this precautionary tale with its concise rhyming text, and amusing illustrations.

Ernestine's Milky Way by Kerry Madden Lunsford & Emily Sutton

An empowering picture book set in the 1940s about a determined five-year-old girl who embarks on a journey to deliver milk to her neighbors in the holler.

Every morning, Ernestine shouts out her window to the Great Smoky Mountains, "I'm five years old and a big girl!" When Mama asks Ernestine--who helps with chores around the farm while Papa is away at war--to carry two mason jars filled with milk to their neighbor, Ernestine isn't sure she can do it. After all, she'd need to walk through thickets of crabapple and blackberry by the creek, not to mention past vines of climbing bittersweet. But Ernestine is five years old and a big girl, so off she sets. Along the way, one mason jar slips from her arms and rolls down the mountainside into the river, and Ernestine is sure it's lost forever . . . until her neighbor's son shows up with a muddy jar--and there's a surprise inside! With tons of flavor and a can-do spirit, here is a celebration of American history and a plucky girl who knows that helping a family in need is worth the trouble.