Each Kindness

5/17/2021

2012, Nancy Paulsen Books, Corretta Scott King Honor Book

"That afternoon, I walked home alone.
When I reached the pond, my throat filled with all the things I wished I would have said to Maya.
Each kindness I had never shown.

I threw small stones into it, over and over.
Watching the way the water rippled out and away.
Out and away."

Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson is a remarkably gifted and recognized author of children's books. Her recent awards include the

2021 NAACP Outstanding Literary Work
2020 MacArthur Fellowship
2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award
2018-19 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

She has written more than 20 novels, as well as more than a dozen children's picture books.

E. B. Lewis

Lewis has written or illustrated more than 70 children's books and also a recipient of numerous awards. In addition to being a five-time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, recent recognition includes the

2016 NYT Best Illustrated Book
2016 Kirkus Review Best Illustrated Book
2016 Golden Kite Award

Lewis' art is displayed in private collections and at numerous art museums.

Book Synopsis

When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how the smallest acts of kindness can ripple out to change the world, she realizes she lost the opportunity to create a friend by her repeated unkindness towards a Maya.

Picture book, 32 pages. Chloe turns away from the new girl at school, Maya, when she repeatedly tries to play. So Maya plays alone and Chloe loses the chance to make a new friend.

Learning Options

Family Read Aloud Time
Each Kindness is a sweet family read aloud. While not preachy nor judgemental, the book is clear that sometimes the results of our actions cannot be repaired.

Classroom Resource
The Anti-Defamation League's Book of the Month Guide for Each Kindness is an excellent resource for teaching about friendship, bullying, kindness and socioeconomic class.

Learning at Home
Kindness is the outward act of empathy -- walking in another person's shoes. The NED Shows has a wonderfully home-school appropriate Keep Kindness Going lesson plan for Each Kindness.