When We Are Kind

Product Description
"Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities―and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.”―School Library Journal
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.
Review
“A perfect addition to your bedtime routine, and would make a great gift for every teacher and librarian your child knows, so each school has a copy upon reopening.” ―
them.\n“Simple statements have the resonance of affirmations and establish a clear chain of connectedness…A panoply of Indigenous characters is featured in rich detail. A visual feast for families interested in seeing the Native world through small, kind deeds.” ―
Kirkus Reviews\n“An accessible picture book that will work well as a read-aloud in a group or for quiet reading alone. Whether at home or in the classroom, its pleasing repetition of phrases. such as 'I am kind when' and 'I feel', will appeal to young readers and invite re-reading. Highly Recommended.” ―
CM: Canadian Review of Materials\n“Gentle…Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities―and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.” ―
Publishers Weekly\n★ “Simple, yet powerful...This gentle book is inspiring for children and adults and is highly recommended to have at home and in public and school libraries.” ―
Canadian Children's Book News, Red Leaf Literature selection\n“Visually appealing at every turn and offering up details in clothing and surroundings, there is much to see here. The words inspire questions and memories about being kind in the world, and with family and friends.” ―
Sal's Fiction Addiction\n“Using minimal text, the message of kindness is delivered in illustrations that are beautiful, colorful and detailed. This title is highly recommended for use in preschool and primary or elementary classrooms and libraries.” ―
Must Read Literature\n“Lovely…A gentle message that shows how kindness connects us and reinforces our deep relations.” ―
Toronto Star\n“Thoughtful and beautifully illustrated.” ―
Canadian Teacher Magazine
Book Description
What makes you feel kind?
About the Author
International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota and Scottish ancestry. She wrote When We Are Kind to prompt a dialog among young people, their care providers and educators about kindness and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. Monique's picture book My Heart Fills With Happiness won the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize and was selected as the TD Grade One Giveaway Book for all first-grade students in Canada in 2019. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her family.\nNicole Neidhardt is Diné (Navajo) of the Kiiyaa'áanii Clan and is from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She has a BFA from the University of Victoria and and an MFA at OCAD University in Toronto. Nicole’s Diné identity is the heart of her practice, which encompasses illustration, installation, murals and Indigenous Futurisms.