BOOK MARKED
Teaching Kids
to be Kind
In honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week, which starts
on Feb. 16, we partnered with the Random Acts of Kindness
Foundation to share 12 books that offer parents and
teachers an opportunity to explore kindness concepts and
social and emotional learning with children of all ages.

PRESCHOOL ‘A Ball for Daisy’
Masterful wordless artwork captures a
small dog’s roller coaster of emotions as
she loses a beloved toy but unexpectedly
gains both a new toy and a new friend in
this award-winning title.

‘Be a Friend’
By Salina Yoon
A young boy, whose unusual way of commu-
nicating leaves him feeling lonely at school,
finds an understanding new friend in this
quiet story about discovering commonalities
and accepting differences.

‘Dee Dee and Me’
By Amy Schwartz
A little sister grows tired of being bossed
around by her older sister and finds a new
assertive voice in this pitch-perfect offer-
ing that captures authentic everyday sibling
squabbles and reconciliations.

EARLY ELEMENTARY
‘Invisible Boy’
By Trudy Ludwig
Illustrated by Patrice Barton
Inventive illustrations that move from
gray tones to full, bright color capture a
boy’s loneliness and then joy when he finds
friendship among his classmates.

‘A Sick Day for Amos McGee’
By Philip C. Stead
Illustrated by Erin E. Stead
In this Caldecott Medal-winning book, an
exceptionally big-hearted zookeeper finds
his role reversed after he falls ill and is cared
for by his beloved animals.

‘What Does It Mean to Be Kind?’
By Rana DiOrio
Illustrated by Stéphanie Jorisch
After a young girl helps a new student feel
welcome, kindness spreads throughout a
community, one act at a time.

MIDDLE GRADE
‘Absolutely Almost’
By Lisa Graff
A young boy with learning challenges nav-
igates a new school with help from a new
sitter and others in this heartfelt novel.

52 Washington FAMILY FEBRUARY 2020
GETTY IMAGES/E+/PRESCHOOL: NICOLA KATIE; ELEMENTARY: LJUBAPHOTO;
MIDDLE SCHOOL: FANGXIANUO; ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/YOUNG ADULT: ANTONIO_DIAZ
By Chris Raschka