Hallie's Big Heart

Hallie’s Big Heart

Hallie loves going to school. She treasures her teacher, her classmates, and the small, meaningful moments that fill each day. But when she begins to notice friends feeling sad, left out, or hurt, Hallie starts to wonder how she can help.

When her teacher, Miss Rhonda, introduces a brand-new word—empathy—Hallie discovers that it means understanding and caring about how other people feel. Through everyday experiences in the classroom and on the playground, Hallie learns that empathy can be as simple as asking a friend if they are okay, sharing a snack, cheering someone on, or offering comfort after a fall.

Written by New York City psychotherapist Beth Phillips, LMSW, and illustrated by Noah Pasternak, Hallie’s Big Heart is a warm and thoughtfully told picture book that introduces empathy in a way young children can easily understand. With gentle storytelling and relatable school-day moments, this illustrated children’s book helps early readers recognize feelings—their own and others’—and see how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Ideal for families, classrooms, counselors, and educators, Hallie’s Big Heart serves as both a heartfelt story and a practical conversation starter about emotional awareness, kindness, and social development. It encourages children to listen, share, and care—reminding them that having a “big heart” is something they can practice every day.

Discover how one simple word can open a child’s heart and help nurture empathy that lasts a lifetime.

Excerpt from the book

Hallie enjoys going to school.

Sheloves her teacher and classmates.

Hallie sees that her friend Ella looks sad.

Hallies asks her if she is doing ok.

Ella smiles.

Hallies cares about Ella's feelings.

It is time for recess.Itay plays on the monkey bars.

Hallie lets Eve go infront of her.

Hallie thinks of her friend first.

Hersh, Levi and Jude race.

They are running fast.

Hersh reaches the finish line first.

Levi congratulates Hersh and tells Jude it is nice to be happy for Hersh.

Hallie observes taht Levi cares about his friends feelings.

Hallie plays hopscotch with Sloane and Sadie.

Sloane trips and falls down.

The bell rings and recess time is over.

Hallie stays behind to comfort and help Sloane.