January 02, 2021

Quote of the Week

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." - Emilie Buchwald

Top 10 Kindful Kids Books Of 2020

As we conclude one of the most unusual years of our lives, we look back with gratitude at some of the bright lights that kept us inspired through moments of uncertainty, fear, stress and isolation.  The moments that brought us together as a community and reminded us of the goodness in the world.  We are grateful to each of you in the Kindful Kids community for being bright lights to the children in your lives throughout this challenging year. 

We hope you enjoy the Top 10 Kindful Kids Books of 2020 and perhaps even find time to read one or two of them together with your children.  Wishing you a beautiful 2021 ahead! 

With love and gratitude,

Your Kindful Kids Volunteer Editors
(Meghna, Brinda, Deven and Trishna)

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I Am Human
By: Susan Verde
Ages: 4+

"Being human means we are full of possibility. We learn, we dream, we wonder at the world around us. But we also make mistakes and can feel fearful or sad. [...] "I Am Human" affirms that we can make good choices by acting with compassion and having empathy for others and ourselves. When we find common ground, we can feel connected to the great world around us and mindfully strive to be our best selves." - Publishers


I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness
By: Kerascoët
Ages: 4-8

"This simple yet powerful picture book--tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. Inspired by real events, I Walk with Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old." - Publishers


Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln
By: Shari Swanson
Ages: 4-8

"Long before Abraham Lincoln led the nation or signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he was just a barefoot kid running around Knob Creek, Kentucky, setting animals free from traps and snatching frogs out of the jaws of snakes. One day, young Abe found a stray dog with a broken leg and named him Honey. He had no idea that the scruffy pup would find his way into Abe’s heart, become his best friend, and—one fateful day—save his life." -- Publisher


We are the Gardeners
By: Joanna Gaines
Ages: 4-8

"The trials, tribulations, and joys of gardening are brought to light in this entertaining tale of one family's introduction to caring for indoor plants and using that know-how in a garden. [...] Though the family has some trouble with animals eating their produce, they remember that 'every failure or setback teaches us something.'  Packed with useful information in an easy-to-understand format, this will help children, and their adults, who wish to venture into the world of growing some of their own food and flowers."


The Invisible String
By: Patrice Karst
Ages: 4-8 years

"In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they're all connected by an invisible string. "That's impossible!" the children insist, but still they want to know more: "What kind of string?" The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love. [...] This heartwarming picture book for all ages explores questions about the intangible yet unbreakable connections between us, and opens up deeper conversations about love.


A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles
By: Thich Nhat Hanh
Ages: 4-Adult :)

"Pebble meditation is a groundbreaking and completely unique technique to introduce children to the calming practice of meditation. Developed by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, A Handful of Quiet contains complete instructions for pebble meditation designed to involve children in a hands-on and creative way that touches on their interconnection with nature. Whether practiced alone or with the whole family, pebble meditation can help relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude, and can help children deal with difficult emotions." --Publishers


Happy Dreamer
By: Peter H Reynolds
Age: 4+

"In this book, the author brings us a universally poignant celebration of the colorful spectrum of what it means to dream and the many ways to find happy!  While the world tells us to sit still, to follow the rules, and to color inside the lines, Happy Dreamer celebrates all those moments in between when the mind and spirit soar and we are free to become our own true dreamer maximus!  This empowering picture book reminds children of how much their dreams matter, and while life will have ups and downs, he enlists readers to stay true to who they are, to tap into their most creative inner selves, and to never ever forget to dream big!"


Not for Me, Please!: I Choose to Act Green
By: Maria Godsey
Ages: 5-9

"Join Luke on his journey to protect what he loves with this engaging children's picture book about sustainability and acting green. After noticing the damage caused to the environment and animals due to trash and waste, Luke decides to take action. He believes he can have a big impact on the world around him and invites his readers to join him!  Using his phrase, ‘Not for me, please!’ Luke role models how children can harness their inner super-hero and help protect the environment." - Publishers


The Hidden Life of Trees
By: Peter Wohlleben
Ages: Teen-adult

"This fascinating book will intrigue readers who love a walk through the woods. Wohlleben has gathered research from scientists around the world examining how trees communicate and interact with one another. They do so using a variety of methods, including the secretion of scents and sound vibrations to warn neighboring plants of potential attacks by insects and hungry herbivores, drought, and other dangers."


Nonviolent Communication - A Language of Life
By: Marshall B. Rosenberg
For: Adults (with resources to connect with children)

"Through stories, examples and role-plays, this book provides a deep understanding of the core components of the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process and consciousness."

Reading Corner

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Be the Change

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