Finding Kindness

by Deborah Underwood, Irene Chan (Illustrator)

Overview

From New York Times-bestselling author Deborah Underwood comes Finding Kindness, a heartfelt picture book illustrated by Irene Chan.

Celebrate kindness in all its many forms. This is a powerful story of community, compassion, and generosity of spirit—perfect for sharing!

Kindness is sometimes a cup and a card, or a ladder, a truck, and a tree. A scritch and a cuddle. A rake and a yard.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250237897
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	10/29/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	122,363
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD420L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Deborah Underwood grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. She is the author of many books for children, including the New York Times–bestselling The Quiet Book. When she’s not writing, you might find her singing in a chamber choir, playing a ukulele, walking around in Golden Gate Park, baking vegan cookies, or petting any dogs, cats, pigs, or turkeys that happen to be nearby.

Irene Chan is the illustrator of Baby Loves Quarks! and Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering! She is also an art director, designer, artist, and amateur photographer. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Editorial Reviews

07/01/2019

Friends, neighbors, and family members in a variously diverse neighborhood are seen engaging in quiet acts of kindness.A child appears at her window, releasing a ladybug using the cup-and-card trick: “Kindness is sometimes/ a cup and a card.” On the next page, a firefighter rescues a cat from a tree: “or a ladder,/ a truck,/ and a tree.” A boy rakes leaves for an elderly woman, and his kindness is repaid with a cookie. Elsewhere, a woman is seen giving up her train seat to another passenger with a baby; a child leaves a tip for a bear performing on a unicycle; and two children plant trees in a park: “It’s dirt and a shovel,/ petunias and pails,/ it’s trees that will someday give shade.” Chan illustrates in a loose style that captures a feeling of warmth, community, and goodwill. One act of kindness begets another, Underwood gently conveys, including acts of self-care and forgiveness. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Simple acts of kindness that warm the heart." —Kirkus Reviews

"Chan illustrates in a loose style that captures a feeling of warmth, community, and goodwill. One act of kindness begets another, Underwood gently conveys, including acts of self-care and forgiveness." —Publishers Weekly

"Perfect for a shared lapread or classroom story." —The Bulletin

"With its positive message, simple rhymes, and eye-catching art, this is a wonderful choice for a kindness-themed storytime." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

PreS-K—Kindness can be shown in many ways, as demonstrated in this charming picture book. A girl uses a card and a cup to release a ladybug out of her apartment window. As she looks out, she witnesses community helpers and neighbors engaging in different acts of kindness ranging from small gestures, such as offering a seat on the train or holding a door, to more extensive volunteer work, such as helping build a house for someone or planting trees and plants at a community park. The book eventually circles back to the girl from the beginning, and readers learn the card was given to her by her sister, who she thanks with a kiss. Underwood's rhymes are short and sweet with a natural rhythm. The examples offer simple ways in which children and adults can be generous and compassionate toward others. Chan's illustrations are featured on expansive spreads, with bright, bold colors that pop. Depicted is a tight-knit community with members of varying races, ages, ethnicities, and genders. VERDICT With its positive message, simple rhymes, and eye-catching art, this is a wonderful choice for a kindness-themed storytime.—Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2019-06-30
"Kindness is sometimes / a cup and a card." Wait! What?

Yes, kindness is a cup and a card—when someone uses them to gently trap a ladybug inside and release it outside. With a simple rhyming text and softly colored illustrations of community scenes, each page shows neighbors, professionals, and strangers modeling simple acts of kindness toward people and animals. A child rakes leaves for an older neighbor, another brings soup to someone who is "sneezy," and one even shares a book via a clever bucket delivery system. As neighboring businesses, a flower seller swaps a bouquet for peaches with a grocer. A fireman rescues a cat from a tree, park security helps a lost child, and an ice cream vendor gives a cone to a young skater who has fallen. Even strangers act with kindness and return a dropped key, snap a picture for a vacationing family, and adopt a dog that "others ignore." From infants to grandparents, people in this busy and diverse community come together to enjoy one another and their common interests. Illustrations show a girl wearing a hijab, a child in a wheelchair playing badminton with friends, and interracial families.

Simple acts of kindness that warm the heart. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews