What Does It Mean To Be Kind?

What Does It Mean To Be Kind?

Picture book
We often ask children to follow some pretty abstract precepts.
Be good. Behave yourself. Santa will know whether you're naughty or
nice. How does that all work out in daily kid life? In her What Does
It Mean To Be Kind? Rana DiOrio makes one of these concepts a lot
easier for little ones to comprehend.
Children (and some pretty awesome purple polka dotted cats) are
shown in everyday school and neighborhood situations. The reader will
see that kindness can be manifested in acts like being friendly to a
new kid in class, giving complements, encouraging, picking up trash,
and caring for those experiencing difficulties. At the end they're
all tied in with a concept a lot of parents would do well to
contemplate.
What I like best about this book is how it shows a complexity of
being in a society that is quick to label kids as say bullies or
victims and not look beyond the labels. In a three page spread the
same child is shown bullying a peer, having another peer see better
qualities in her, and being forgiven by her former victim who offers
her a cookie. Later on a boy makes and learns from a mistake.
If you have young children this book is perfect for family
discussion. Who knows where it can lead you? Maybe to a memory
creating family kindness project.
On a personal note, Katie came home Christmas Eve. It was so precious
to have her sleeping under our roof. Dear Joey cat was over the moon.
A great big shout goes out to Katie, Amber, and Adam--the best grown
kids a mother could love.
jules hathaway


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