November 13th is World Kindness Day, a day to promote goodwill and kindness at home, school or in the workplace. The Random Acts of Kindness website encourages us to make ripples and ‘make kindness the norm.®‘ They have a wonderful range of resources to use at home and at school and we love their kindness calendars.
We believe that kindness should be promoted and celebrated every day. Picture book characters can be powerful role models for promoting kind acts and gestures and it was hard to narrow down our choice of picture books to read and stimulate discussion on World Kindness Day.
*
Kindness Rocks by Sheryl Webster & Robert Garcia
This beautifully illustrated story intertwines themes of self confidence, homelessness and caring for others. It has a wonderful cast of caring animal characters and a fabulous villain!
Kindness Rocks is a great story to stimulate discussions about how we can all be kind and think of others, especially those less fortunate.
*
kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup
Kindness Grows is a beautifully illustrated picture book which uses the analogy of a tree to demonstrate the difference between a crack developing in a relationship when we are unkind and the blossoming of a relationship when we care. In a world that is polluted by selfishness and disrespect the book gives readers, young and old, a reminder that their actions and attitudes towards others can have a huge impact.
*
superheroes always fight back by Kate Thompson & Clare Elsom
Superheroes Always Fight Back…Or Do They? is an empowering, humorous picture book that shows children how kindness can be a superpower. The superheroes in the story all have special strengths and attributes but ultimately it is their kindness that helps stop ‘baddies’ being bad.
*
The Not-So-Wicked Witch by Bethan Stevens
The Not-So-Wicked Witch doesn’t want to be wicked like the other witches! In this beautifully illustrated picture book a battle between kindness and wickedness rages as a group of witches try to educate the littlest witch who just wants to be kind and thoughtful!
This is a wonderful book to stimulate conversation about how to be kind and think of others. In a humorous way it shows that acts of kindness can go a long way 🙂
*
Mr Norton’s New Hat by Huw Lewis Jones & Corey Egbert
Mr Norton’s New Hat is an amusing picture book which celebrates kindness while introducing children to different animals and days of the week.
Horace Norton’s kindness draws animals to him and we love the ways that they join him – cats in his coat, a squirrel in his shoe. But after a while the number of animals becomes a little overwhelming…
*
The Coat by Séverine Vidal & Louis Thomas
The Coat tells the poignant, heartwarming story of Elise and the warm, snuggly red coat that she’s been wishing for. It combines themes of inequality, poverty, homelessness and empathising with others less fortunate and includes a wonderful ending that comes in an unexpected way!
This beautifully illustrated picture book can stimulate discussions about kindness, poverty and compassion for others less fortunate.
*
KID CHRISTMAS of the CLAUS BROTHERS TOY SHOP by David Litchfield
KID CHRISTMAS of the CLAUS BROTHERS TOY SHOP is a heartwarming story of kindness and generosity sprinkled with a big dose of magic and festive cheer.
When Nicky meets a group of orphans who have no toys he comes up with a plan to ensure that all children receive a toy on Christmas Eve. Chimney chaos and a lack of carrots threaten his deliveries until, with the help of his new friends, he ensures that a new Christmas tradition is born…
*
Do you have any favourite picture books that you would recommend reading on World Kindness Day? We’d love to hear your suggestions if you’d like to share them in the comments 🙂
Leave a Reply