By Jane Nikodem

In this issue of Shareletter, we continue our review of books on kindness from the Quaker Children’s Library located in the lower level of the meetinghouse.  Kids and grownups are encouraged to browse and borrow up to five books for four weeks from our growing collection!

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig.  (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013)

It takes the kindness of a new student, Justin, to draw Brian out of the periphery and into the classroom community.  Lovely illustrations by Patrice Barton. Includes a section with questions for class discussion and recommended reading for grown-ups and children. Ages 5-8

The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack.  (New York: Atheneum, 2000)

Libby’s unvarnished truth-telling causes considerable hurt feelings among her classmates and friends.  It takes one of her “victims”, Miz Tusselberry, to teach Libby that when the truth is “sweetened by love, it is a little easier to swallow.”  Delightfully illustrated by Giselle Potter.   Ages 5-8

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson.  (Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2002)

An astounding number – over 6 billion – acts of kindness result from “ordinary” Mary’s simple, anonymous gift of blueberries.  Illustrated by Fumi Kosaka, the artwork is appealing and inclusive. A word of caution: there is a serious and unfortunate flaw in the text of this otherwise delightful book – (Amara was so impressed that Louise was honest, when money was something she clearly needed…”  This teachable moment is clearly a must when sharing this book with children!  Ages 4-8

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson.  (New York: Penguin Group USA, 2012)

Chloe and her friends learn a difficult lesson in kindness after they fail to befriend a new classmate.  Beautifully illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Ages 7-10