Review - When We Are Kind

When We Are Kind
by Monique Gray Smith
illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt
Date: 2020
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a lovely little book for young readers that could help foster discussions around what it means to be kind (and also how we feel when we are kind and others are kind to us). In today's world, these are important messages suitable for all ages.

The illustrations depict mostly Indigenous children, which is nice to see. But that doesn't mean that this book can't be enjoyed, appreciated, and learned from by children of all backgrounds.

While the text and messaging are simple, they're also nice and clear. That makes perfect sense. Kindness shouldn't be difficult.

Overall, this is a nice book, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other readers. It would also make a great classroom read with some follow-up discussion about kindness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5