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A review by jeremychiasson
Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
5.0
I really loved this book. Obviously no one can really object to the core message of this book--be kind. However there are umpteen children's books about being kind, and few are as effective in conveying their message as this story is.
Here are a few things this book does to help teach children what it means to be kind.
1. It frames kindness as a conscious act, something that requires thought and effort. Kindness isn't always easy:
"Everyone laughed. I almost did too, but Mom always tells me to be kind, so I tried."
"Sticking up for someone when other kids aren't kind is really hard (and really scary)."
2. Sometimes your first attempt to be kind to someone won't be successful, but that doesn't mean you stop trying, or that you failed:
I don't think it worked. I said "purple is my favourite colour." I thought Tanisha would smile, but she ran into the hall instead.
Later on the boy realizes:
Maybe I can't solve Tanisha's grape juice problem. Maybe all I can do is sit by her in art class. And paint this picture for her. Because I know she likes purple too.
3. Kindness can take many forms, and it requires us to recognize the needs of the situation/person in front of us:
Maybe it's giving: Making cookies for Mr. Rinaldi, who lives alone. Or letting someone with smaller feet have my too-tight shoes.
Maybe it's helping: Putting dirty dishes in the sink. Cleaning up after Otis, our class guinea pig (he's a messy eater).
Maybe it's paying attention: Telling Donald I like his blue boots. Asking the new girl to be my partner. Listening to aunt Franny's stories (even the ones I've head before).
4. There are small, easy ways to be kind, that you can make a habit of: Saying thank you, bless you, using people's names when you speak to them
5. Small acts of kindness matter, and can grow into something bigger and even spread around the world.
This is the perfect book to start a class discussion about kindness: it raises questions, gives suggestions, and frames kindness in a way that kids will understand.
Here are a few things this book does to help teach children what it means to be kind.
1. It frames kindness as a conscious act, something that requires thought and effort. Kindness isn't always easy:
"Everyone laughed. I almost did too, but Mom always tells me to be kind, so I tried."
"Sticking up for someone when other kids aren't kind is really hard (and really scary)."
2. Sometimes your first attempt to be kind to someone won't be successful, but that doesn't mean you stop trying, or that you failed:
I don't think it worked. I said "purple is my favourite colour." I thought Tanisha would smile, but she ran into the hall instead.
Later on the boy realizes:
Maybe I can't solve Tanisha's grape juice problem. Maybe all I can do is sit by her in art class. And paint this picture for her. Because I know she likes purple too.
3. Kindness can take many forms, and it requires us to recognize the needs of the situation/person in front of us:
Maybe it's giving: Making cookies for Mr. Rinaldi, who lives alone. Or letting someone with smaller feet have my too-tight shoes.
Maybe it's helping: Putting dirty dishes in the sink. Cleaning up after Otis, our class guinea pig (he's a messy eater).
Maybe it's paying attention: Telling Donald I like his blue boots. Asking the new girl to be my partner. Listening to aunt Franny's stories (even the ones I've head before).
4. There are small, easy ways to be kind, that you can make a habit of: Saying thank you, bless you, using people's names when you speak to them
5. Small acts of kindness matter, and can grow into something bigger and even spread around the world.
This is the perfect book to start a class discussion about kindness: it raises questions, gives suggestions, and frames kindness in a way that kids will understand.