November Book Nook

Kindness Makes us Strong

by Sophie Beer

Kindness is a friendly hello. A roaring cheer. A quick boost. Kindness is what makes us strong! Follow a group of children as they extend kindness in all sorts of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime and on a neighborhood street. This sweet board book shows how kindness helps build friendship and community.

The Nice Book

by David Ezra Stein, illustrated by David Ezra Stein

From cuddling koalas to friendly penguins, an array of animals illustrates fun, sweet and silly examples of “how to be nice,” showing simple ways young children can show they care for those around them. The lyrical text, funny illustrations and upbeat friendship message make this a great gift and a wonderful introduction to manners.

ABCs of Kindness

by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan

Starting with A and ending with Z, this beautifully illustrated book will show young readers the many ways they can make the world a kinder place.

A diverse cast of children shows everyday acts of kindness and generosity through thoughtful and vibrant illustrations. Whether it be donating blankets to the animal shelter, helping with chores or standing up for what’s right, this is the perfect book to spark conversations at home or in the classroom about the concepts of empathy and compassion. Featuring durable cardstock pages and approachable language, this book will encourage children to be their best selves wherever they go.

Baby Be Kind

by Jane Cowen-Fletcher

What are some easy ways to be kind? Say hi to your friend. Be nice to your puppy. If you see someone fall down, maybe you can help them up! How about sharing your cookies or crackers? Or giving a tired someone a ride in your little wagon? From taking turns to saying you’re sorry, trying not to be angry to giving a big hug, these simplest of gestures, rendered in Jane Cowen-Fletcher’s adorable style, show that being kind feels so good that even a baby will want to try it.

Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners

by Laurie Keller (PreK-2)

Mr. Rabbit’s new neighbors are Otters.  OTTERS!  But he doesn’t know anything about otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends? Just treat otters the same way you’d like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl.  In her smart, playful style Laurie Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor—simply follow the Golden Rule! This title has Common Core connections.

Here We Are-Notes for Living on Planet Earth   

by Oliver Jeffers

Insightfully sweet, with a gentle humor and poignancy, here is Oliver Jeffers’ user’s guide to life on Earth. He created it specially for his son, yet with a universality that embraces all children and their parents. Be it a complex view of our planet’s terrain (bumpy, sharp, wet), a deep look at our place in space (it’s big) or a guide to all of humanity (don’t be fooled, we are all people), Oliver’s signature wit and humor combine with a value system of kindness and tolerance to create a must-have book for parents.

I Walk with Vanessa – A Picture Book Story About a Simple Act of Kindness

by Kerascoët

Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. By choosing only pictures to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.

Buckets, Dippers, and Lids: Secrets to Your Happiness   

by Carol McCloud, illustrated by Glen Zimmer

This bridge book release in the bestselling Bucket Fillers line takes the concept of bucket filling one step further by adding the idea that we also have an invisible lid. We “use our lid” to protect and keep the happiness inside our bucket. Offering charming illustrations with personified buckets, dippers and lids, readers learn what gives happiness, what takes it away and what protects it. This concrete concept helps children of all ages grow in understanding, kindness, self-control, resilience, empathy and forgiveness. A valuable teaching tool for home, school and life, this is a stand-alone or companion book to the other award-winning books by Bucket Fillers, Inc.

Kindness Snippet Jar   

by Diane Alber

A fun and creative way to teach children KINDNESS! Kindness snippet jar is a story about a little snippet who wants desperately to live in a kindness jar because he learns that it brings kindness to the world, but can’t figure out the right words to help spread kindness. He asks several other snippets how they find their words and he soon discovers he has to do something kind for his words to appear! It takes him a while to figure out what to do, but when he finally gets his words it turns out pretty amazing!

What makes this book so unique is that it inspires children to make their own kindness snippet jar! There are directions in the back of the book to make your very own jar and some inspiration for the kindness snippets too!

Count Me In 

by Varsha Bajaj

Karina Chopra had no interest in becoming friends with Chris, but when her grandpa starts tutoring him she realizes he is nothing at all like the mean boys he hangs out with. One day, while her grandpa walks them home from school, a stranger assaults the group because of the way Karina and her Indian-American grandfather look. Determined not to let hate win, Karina posts photos on social media that go viral and brings the community together as others post their own images that celebrate the beauty of diversity.

Wonder 

by R. J. Palacio

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

Restart

by Gordon Korman

Chase’s memory just went out the window. Chase doesn’t remember falling off the roof. He doesn’t remember hitting his head. He doesn’t, in fact, remember anything. He wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly has to learn his whole life all over again . . . starting with his own name. He knows he’s Chase. But who is Chase? When he gets back to school, he sees that different kids have very different reactions to his return. Some kids treat him like a hero. Some kids are clearly afraid of him. One girl in particular is so angry with him that she pours her frozen yogurt on his head the first chance she gets. Pretty soon, it’s not only a question of who Chase is–it’s a question of who he was . . . and who he’s going to be. From the #1 bestselling author of Swindle and Slacker, Restart is the spectacular story of a kid with a messy past who has to figure out what it means to get a clean start.