I am thinking of these words from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.”
I've loved other books, other tales, other inspiration from Irene Latham before. A granddaughter visiting this week asked to read "that cat book" again, meaning The Cat Man of Aleppo. Then we searched about him on the web, finally discovering those who are helping pets to survive in different places in Ukraine. She will be eleven in a few weeks, knows all the news, and it felt good to show her how people all over the world are showing kindness, for animals and people!
Irene's most recent book is 12 Days of Kindness, follows the well-known song "Twelve Days of Christmas" with a myriad of children and adults showing varied ways we can be kind.
Each part of the verse shows a new act of kindness; hugs and smiles, greetings and thank-you notes fill people's worlds and bring smiles from them, too. All kinds of people are there in the color-filled illustrations by Junghwa Park. There are family members, school workers, and recess buddies. Kindness wraps the day from the top to the sweetest ending I would hope for every child. The left side demonstrates the kindnesses as the right side fills up page by page as those "12 days" pass.
In these recent weeks, it feels as if a kindness given will lift friends, family members, and strangers, too. We all need it! I know this would be a book to share in my classroom if I were still teaching. Thanks, Irene, for your own kindness shared by writing this wonderful book.
Irene is such a delight, as a person and an author!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda, how KIND of you to share about this book! We can all use an encouraging word, yes? Or even better, 8 of them: you are a kind, loving person I admire! xo
ReplyDeleteIrene and all her books are inspiring. I love the Cat Man if Aleppo. Thanks for showing us this one, Linda!
ReplyDeleteLinda, it is so wonderful that your young granddaughter is socially aware. I love the research you two did leading to Irene's book on kindness. Her book is meant for these times when kindness seems to be forgotten. I tweeted about your short review of Irene's book just now. Thanks for sharing the book with your readers. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I share your appreciation of Irene's writing. We need books like hers to inspire kindness the world over. I a so glad you are sharing them with your granddaughter. I think I'm going to get a bunch of her books from the library the next time I go...I'm sure they'll have a few titles! Thanks for highlighting these two. (I love cats!)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you and your granddaughter I like "The Cat Man of Aleppo" too, and glad to hear about more empathy out there! Thanks for sharing Irene's new book, I think we need an ongoing flood of kindness to spread around.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for coming by, for your book, Irene, & for the rest of you, hope you can read this special book soon!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see Irene's newest book. It is so...HER! Love that you and your grand found the good in the world.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful excerpt--I like the layering effect on the right-hand page. And also I keep asking myself, (it hurts to say it) is kindness enough in this time? How many people believe they are kind because they open doors, salute and share with "everyone"--everyone they perceive to be like themselves? I look forward to seeing the whole book soon! Thanks for featuring, Linda!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so looking forward to this book! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this glimpse into Irene's new book - what a wonderful book to enjoy with your granddaughter. Enjoy your visit!
ReplyDeleteYour kindness in sharing Irene's Kindness book here (and "that cat book" with your granddaughter - and in turn expanding her knowledge of kindness happening in the worst of situations) keeps hope alive. We all need hope and kindness. Thank you for sharing yours, Linda...always. :)
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