I love sharing new releases and today’s is extra special!
Take a look at this beautiful cover. Doesn’t it make you want to go outside and fly a kite?
The story inside is beautiful, too.
KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: The Uplifting Power of Empathy
By Michelle Schaub (author) and Claire LaForte (illustrator)
Cardinal Rule Press April, 2021
Picture Book for ages 4-8 but will be enjoyed by all ages
Setting: home and community
Themes: Kindness, empathy, friendship, community
The story begins…
Hug a special someone
When you greet the morning light.
Kindness is like sunshine.
It starts the day off right.
In this timeless story, a young boy begins his day with a hug. This simple act of kindness spreads throughout the day as others pass kindness along. The story begins at home but becomes a journey as kindness spreads from person to person at school, a senior’s home, the neighborhood, and eventually connects the entire community. Written as a poem using similes and metaphors, each verse shines a light on ways to be kind and shows how each affects others. The joyful illustrations fill the pages with diverse groups of children and adults helping one another.
KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: The Uplifting Power of Empathy is a gentle reminder of how simple actions can make a great difference.
Why you need to add KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: The Uplifting Power of Empathy to your shelves –
- The lyrical, poetic text is a delight to read aloud.
- The colorful illustrations depict the diversity of families, schools, and communities. Children will enjoy repeated readings as they discover new details on each page.
- Each act of kindness is something that children can easily do such as opening doors, sharing books, visiting seniors, and showing forgiveness.
- The book includes pre-reading questions and thoughtful back matter explaining how writers use similes and metaphors.
- The world needs kindness and the message of this book is that it begins with each of us.
There is a wonderful teacher’s guide that accompanies KINDNESS IS A KITE STRING: The Uplifting Power of Empathy. Click on this link found on author Michelle Schaub’s website.
I love this page from the kindness journal included in the guide:
Patricia Tilton says
What a delightful story about sharing kindness all day long! I love the joyful cover and illustrations! It just tugs at your heart. Thanks for sharing!
Claire Annette Noland says
It is such an uplifting book!
Tina Cho says
Great book and analogy!
Claire Annette Noland says
Hi Tina, I think your students would love this book with kindness being shown through similes and metaphors.