Kindness is very important to me. I went to Catholic school as a child and grew up believing I was expected to be a saint. I think kindness can be life-changing and world-changing. I think it’s one of the most important things we can instill in our children and I think it should be the guiding light to how we live our lives.
I liked the way the teacher in this story used Aesop’s fable of the Lion and the Mouse to encourage her class to discuss kindness. She extended the discussion to a class project–making a Kindness Quilt with pictures they draw of the kind acts they perform.
The illustrations of the characters–all rabbits—are simply charming, made from various patterns and colors of cut paper.
Minna and her classmates have been asked by their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, to work on a Kindness Project. Mrs. Bloom wants them to do and draw and share an act of kindness. Minna and her family do lots of kind things, but Minna can't decide which one is right for her project. Then she starts writing and drawing and cutting-and an idea for a paper quilt picturing many acts of kindness begins to take shape!
Important lessons about being kind to each other are depicted in Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's charming artwork…
Brian feels invisible because he’s never picked by his classmates for teams, is ignored at lunchtime, and isn’t invited to a classmate’s birthday party. I liked the way the illustrator drew Brian in shades of gray rather than full color, like the other characters. When a new child joins the class, Brian shows kindness when other classmates make fun of him.
I liked how the new boy wants to include Brian, and that bit of kindness makes all the difference–turning the illustrations from gray to full color.
A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish, from esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton.
A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend...
Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian…
Many of Jeremy’s classmates get the latest cool shoes, but his family can’t afford them.
I think this is a good discussion topic for kids–not all families’ finances are the same, and that can affect what kids have and how they feel about themselves. But even though he doesn’t have much money, he still finds a way to help out a classmate.
"In this witty, wise picture book, Boelts presents a kid’s-eye view of a consumer fad that rages through school at gale force." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for "want," just "need," when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that…
The classic story of an elephant who discovers a tiny creature and deposits it on a clover where an entire town of creatures live. Despite ridicule, Horton defends his new friends.
I think this is an important topic of discussion with kids–how to continue being kind to some while others are ridiculing you for it. I love the imaginative drawings and the heartfelt message of this book.
When Horton the Elephant hears a tiny voice calling for help from a speck of dust, he is determined to save his new friend.
'A person's a person, no matter how small..'
Horton the elephant sets out to save the inhabitants of a speck of dust, in this classic and hilarious tale about friendship and respect, from the inimitable Dr. Seuss.
As part of a major rebrand programme, HarperCollins is relaunching Dr. Seuss's bestselling books, including such perennial favourites as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and Fox in Socks. In response to consumer demand, the bright…
Here’s another story about a new student, Maya, and how she tries to be friendly to Chloe, the girl she sits next to in class. But Chloe and her classmates whisper about and ignore Maya’s attempts to fit in
I liked the courage and persistence Maya showed even when her classmates refused to accept her. I was surprised by the ending—Maya moves away, and Chloe has to live with regret over all the kindness she never showed her.
WINNER OF A CORETTA SCOTT KING HONOR AND THE JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD!
Each kindness makes the world a little better
This unforgettable book is written and illustrated by the award-winning team that created The Other Side and the Caldecott Honor winner Coming On Home Soon. With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they've put it down.
Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a…
Melissa’s hair always gets compliments, but she wants to be recognized for something she does, not something that grows out of her head. When her neighbor compliments her for being so kind to her children, Melissa decides that’s what she’ll be good at and sets out to be the kindest kid in town.
She helped her parents, shared cookies with a classmate who didn’t have a best friend, helped another study for a test, and wrote her cousin a get-well letter. When she saw a sign requesting hair donations for kids who needed wigs, she didn’t hesitate. In the end, she was not just Melissa with beautiful, beautiful hair, but Melissa with a beautiful, beautiful heart.
