Words Are Not for Hurting / Las palabras no son para lastimar

Help kids use kind words, build empathy, and communicate respectfully with this English-Spanish bilingual picture book.

Words have power—they can hurt or help. Words Are Not for Hurting / Las palabras no son para lastimar is an engaging English-Spanish bilingual picture book that helps children ages 4–7 understand how their words affect others and how to choose respectful, caring language.

Using simple, kid-friendly text and bright, relatable illustrations, this reassuring book teaches children that it’s not okay to insult, tease, name-call, or exclude others. Instead, kids learn positive ways to express feelings, set boundaries, apologize when needed, and speak up respectfully for themselves and others.

Part of the award-winning Best Behavior® series, this book supports social-emotional learning by helping children build communication skills, empathy, and confidence they can use every day at home, in school, and in social settings.

In this book, children will:

• Learn how to use kind, respectful words instead of hurtful language
• Understand the impact of teasing, name-calling, and exclusion
• Practice apologizing and making things right
• Express feelings and set boundaries in healthy ways
• Build empathy and positive communication skills

Perfect for parents, caregivers, educators, and counselors, this book is ideal for classroom read-alouds, conflict resolution, and everyday conversations about kindness and respect.

Includes a helpful adult section in both English and Spanish with tips and strategies for teaching children about communication, tone of voice, and how words affect others.