A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul

The authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books (Canfield and Hansen) now team up with the Acts of Kindness authors to bring forth yet another collection of sentimental anecdotes. These stories are grouped into the categories of love, kindness, parents and parenting, teaching and learning, death and dying, gaining perspective and overcoming obstacles. Most are personal experiences illustrating moments of tenderness, justice, self-sacrifice, appreciation, pride or the bonding of people to one another. Some are parables, a few are genuine epiphanies and one or two, as welcome relief, are actually humorous. Following the stories is a section entitled ""Eclectic Wisdom,"" which offers a few poems, and a list of ""101 Gifts to Give All Year Long,"" such as ""smile,"" ""say something nice to someone,"" ""be optimistic,"" and ""use just one parking space."" Readers who loved the first three servings of this fare will not be disappointed in this latest effort. Others may find the soup a bit too sweet. 50,000 first printing; major ad/promo; simultaneous audio; author tour. (Apr.)