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9 Ways to Spread Kindness Through Books and Reading

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A little kindness goes a long way.  I love when I find books that showcase characters who spread kindness to share with my kids.  Today, I’ve got one of those books along with nine ways families and classes can be kind through literacy activities.

Random acts of kindness ideas for kids and families to spread a love of reading and books.

The Book: The Jelly Donut Difference

Maria Dismondy has been a Growing Book by Book friend from the beginning.  I’ve loved sharing about her books when they are released.  You may remember Chocolate Milk, Por Favor! or Spoonful of Sweetness.  One of her newer books is The Jelly Donut Difference: Sharing Kindness with the World.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0997608501″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Jelly Donut Difference[/easyazon_link] is the story of a brother and sister who don’t always see eye to eye. But, they both notice that an elderly neighbor is a bit lonely and work together to spread kindness to her life.  And, there just might be some jelly donuts involved.

Dismondy delivers a delightful story that will inspire readers to take action in their own lives.  The Jelly Donut Difference along with her other books deliver a character lesson through engaging stories that kids can relate.

Listen to Maria read her book aloud in the video below.

After reading Dismondy’s book, challenge the kids to a literacy-related act of kindness.

Literacy Related Kindness Acts

Try one or more of these ideas to spread kindness in the community.  All of the suggestions are tied to books and reading.  We can do this!

  • Leave a book for someone to find.  Tuck in this little surprise to spread an extra dose of cheer.—>Give a Book and Treat Kindness Challenge
  • Take books you don’t read anymore and drop them off at a Little Free Library, local church, or school.
  • Raise money to donate a literacy organization.  A few of my favorites include Jumpstart and First Book and Read Aloud 15 Minutes.
  • Read to an elderly neighbor.
  • Send kindness postcards to strangers using your own art work.—>Kindness Postcards
  • Bring your favorite librarians a treat.  We like to bring bagels and cream cheese from Panera Bread.
  • Make bookmarks for kids to pick up in the library.
  • Shop at your local library book sale.  You can pick up some new to you books and support the library at the same time.
  • Buy a book to donate to a classroom.

For more books about kindness check out this KINDNESS BOOKLIST.

And, visit Coffee Cups and Crayons for tons of kindness activities and where you can take the 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge.

Read books and spread kindness!

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About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

Comments

  1. Kim says

    I’m a reading teacher at my school. One of my favorite things to do is to sneak into a classroom and leave a book for the teacher or students to find. They love to come and tell me about the book.
    In my town, The little free libraries are the crave! Students and parents love to use these. I know it is a must stop for my 2 daughters when we are out and about for a family walk.

  3. Maura says

    I so appreciate coming to my RSS feeds and seeing a new post like this. Kindness is my most important focus while reading with my preschool-aged boy. Thank you for these great ideas!

  4. Maura says

    I so appreciate coming to my RSS feeds and seeing a new post like this. Kindness is my most important focus while reading with my preschool-aged boy. Thank you for these great ideas!

    (Also, I have no idea why this is in all-caps. I definitely don’t have CAPSLOCK on! It looks like it happened to someone else below, too…weird!)

  7. Velma says

    I love reading your blog. I have gotten so many tips and ideas to work with my toddler grandson who I babysit. Thank you for everything!

  9. Jen says

    this looks like an amazing story to share with my kids in my kindergarten class. Thank you for sharing!

  12. Kati s. says

    Love these book recommendations. I’m a 2nd grade teacher and will need to find these books. They sound like great read alouds.

  15. s.r_prek says

    I am always looking for new books to encourage children to see the best in others. it is difficult in our small town where they have grown up together to understand that others who look different are just as kind as they.

  17. Beverly McIntyre says

    I love your blog. You offer so many resources for every stakeholder in a child’s literacy development. I started an interactive read aloud program at our local library for preschoolers which feature two programs, one for 0-2 yrs. and one for 0-5 years. We use many resources from your blog. Thank you.

  18. MARSHA NIXON says

    Looks like a fun book with a Great meaning. Will look it up at my library! Thank YOU!

  19. Alicia says

    I think i need to get this book and my daughters and i can gift jelly donuts to people for a fun surprise!

  20. Jazmin says

    What a great post! You always have such wonderful sErvice ideas! We will try sOme of these This weekend.

  21. Marcia N. says

    We haven’t Read any books by Maria dismondy but now i am excited to go find some of her books at the library. Thanks for the recommendation!

  22. Jmelea says

    I LOVE YOUR BLOG. WE ARE CURRENTLY FOLLOWING ALONG WITH THE FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB. ALL OF THE BOOKS FOR THE YEAR WERE GIVEN TO OUR FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS… SUCH A FABULOUS GIFT!! WE ARE ALSO ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SPREAD KINDNESS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS AWESOME BOOK.

  23. JmeLea says

    I love your blog. We are currently following along with the family dinner book club. All of the books for the year were given to our family for christmas… such a fabulous gift!! We are also always looking for ways to spread kindness. Thank you for sharing this awesome book.

  24. danielle hammelef says

    I love the little free libraries. Our community has 3 of them and then elementary school near us also does. I love trading books and donating to those. I always shop at the library’s used book section. Anytime I’m invited to a baby shower, I give books as part of the gift. Great ideas you have here!