Race to Kindness

Jean makes a motivational debut, urging kindness via perky, idea-filled rhymes in this acrostic-style picture book that constructs the word kind. While K “reminds you to keep your eyes open.../ for deeds to be done/ or kind words to be spoken,” I signals inclusion, N suggests that “nothing is too small/ to make a big mark./ Those small acts of kindness/ will still light a spark,” and D urges readers to “do something about it.” Supporting lines emphasize how friendliness can feel while offering myriad examples of gestures that might make a difference in someone’s life—from sharing food to calling a loved one. Employing jewel-tone coloring, Varma depicts people of various abilities and skin tones in jubilant scenes of generosity in action. Ages 4–8. (May)