Each Kindness
“This is what kindness does, Ms. Albert said. Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.” – Jacqueline Woodson, Each Kindness
Whenever I look at a list of ways to help children become kinder or more compassionate, one suggestion is always to read books to them. Books help all of us see ourselves for who we are and who we want to be. The following books are mainly for young children (except Each Kindness), but they pack a powerful message in a way that young ones will understand.
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Jane Dyer; ages 4 and up
In this book Amy Rosenthal uses cookies to explain different character traits such as honesty, cooperation, loyalty, trustworthiness, and compassion. For example: “Trustworthy means, If you ask me to hold your cookie until you come back, when you come back, I will still be holding your cookie.” Because the vocabulary is explained in simple terms of cookies they are easy for young children to understand. It’s a great class read-aloud or a one-on-one read. If you would like to preview the book or can’t get your hands on it, here’s a read aloud video.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee written by Philip Stead; illustrated by Erin Stead; ages 2-7
Every day Amos McGee goes to the zoo to spend time with his animal friends. He plays chess with the elephant, races the tortoise, and reads to the owl. One day when he’s too sick to visit, his friends come to visit him and bring him comfort. This book is a great illustration of seeing someone in need and then doing something to help him. To hear it read aloud, click here.
The Teddy Bear written and illustrated by David McPhail; ages 3-8
A young boy loves his teddy bear more than anything else. He carries it with him everywhere, but one day he accidentally leaves it in a diner. It is thrown in a dumpster where a homeless man finds it and adopts it as his own. Later on the man leaves the bear on a park bench where the young boy finds it claiming it as his own again. Then he hears the older man cry out asking for his bear. The boy returns it to the man. This is a story of such kindness and compassion that you can overlook the fact that it’s hard to believe many children would give up their favorite toy.
Each Kindness written by Jacqueline Woodson; illustrated by E. B. Lewis; ages 5-8
This book reminds me of the chapter book The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. Both tug at my heartstrings, pack a powerful punch, and make me want to be a better person. A new girl arrives in Chloe’s class and though the new girl tries to make friends, she is systematically ignored and called names because of her secondhand clothes. Chloe’s teacher invites the students to see how one small pebble can make many ripples teaching them the lesson that one kindness can reach far and wide. Unfortunately, the new girl’s family has had to move and Chloe doesn’t have the opportunity to befriend the girl. At the end of the book Chloe contemplates the ramifications of lost chances. I think this book would be good to use with older children as well. It presents great opportunities for making inferences and for leading discussions. If you cannot get a copy of the book, there is a read aloud online.
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
