Each year on November 13, we celebrate World Kindness Day, “a day to celebrate and promote positive human interactions.” We focus on showing kindness in ways big and small. Every kindness extended to others spreads goodwill and lightens the load of stress people shoulder as they go about their days.
Need more info and ideas? I found Awareness Days very helpful. I especially like the list of ideas and the #hashtags to use when sharing and talking about World Kindness Day (and kindness in general).
Some things you could do include showing random acts of kindness, volunteering, donating to a charitable cause, and teaching kindness to children and young people.
Not quite two years old, my picture bookBe Kind, Make Friends, helps preschoolers and the younger audience learn about showing kindness and making friends. I’m glad to have this resource to encourage us to celebrate kindness every day! Do you know of any other resources to help promote kindness to the younger crowd? Add them to the comment section so we can all hear about them.
What will you do to celebrate World Kindness Day?
To celebrate World Kindness Day, I’m giving away one copy of Be Kind, Make Friends to someone who comments on this blog post (US only). Let us know how you would use Be Kind, Make Friends with someone in your world. Winner chosen in one week on November 20. Check back next Thursday to see who won!
Happy World Kindness Day! Thank you for being a part of this blog world!
Today is World Kindness Day and the perfect time to consider how I can extend kindness to others. Not just today, I hope, but as a growing habit as I journey through this life with the people around me.
Random acts of kindness are always nice, and I’m thinking that going the extra mile to make that personal connection would really make someone’s day. The day is just beginning, so I’ll have to keep my eyes open for ways to show kindness.
Whenever I hear the word “kind,” I think of the days I was a kindergarten teacher at Harrah Community Christian School. One of the Bible verses we learned together was Ephesians 4:32a. I often combined motions and movement as we practiced our verses, and for this one, we marched around the room, urging each other to “Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32a).” I don’t know about the kindergartners, but every time I see that reference or hear “kind,” our rhythmic rendition pops into my head.
So today, how will you be kind and compassionate to others? I’d love to hear.
Go forth and be kind.
Be Kind, Make Friends is available at WMUstore.com.
Today I’m blessed to have author Laura Sassi stopping by for a visit! She’s going to share about her new book, My Tender Heart Devotions, which is coming out on October 1 from Paraclete Press. Be sure to read to the bottom to learn about your opportunity to win a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions!
Now, let’s get right to it!
Welcome, Laura! I’m so excited to have you visit today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a former teacher and children’s ministry director who is now blessed to be able to spend my days writing books, poems, and other pieces that offer messages of hope, faith and joy for little ones and the grown-ups who love them. My books include Goodnight, Ark, Love is Kind, Little Ewe, Bunny Finds Easter, Happy Birthday Christmas Child and the My Tender Heart series. I live in New Jersey with my husband, two young adult kids and a sweet little cockapoo named Sophie. And, every day, rain or shine, in my living room or on my porch, I write! I also love visiting schools, churches and more with a variety of book-themed programs.
It’s so nice to meet you and learn more about your life.
I did a Book Share on my blog about your last book, My Tender Heart Prayer Book, back in January. Tell us about your newest book, My Tender Heart Devotions. It is gorgeous!
Thank you, Angie. My Tender Heart Devotions is the third in the My Tender Heart series. Clocking in at 112 pages (my longest book yet!), it’s a collection of 52 age-appropriate devotions for little ones. Each fully illustrated devotion includes an opening poem about a fun, kid-friendly topic followed by a short message that includes a Bible passage, a “Heart Moment” activity, and a prayer. It’s the kind of devotional I wish I’d had to read with my own kids when they were small — so I decided to write one!
So amazing! I’m saving My Tender Heart Prayer Book for my new grandbaby, and I think he/she will need My Tender Heart Devotions as well!
My Tender Heart Devotions is published by Paraclete Press. Tell us more about your book series with them and how you connected with Paraclete Press.
The My Tender Heart Series consists of three books. The first to release was My Tender Heart Bible, a collection of 12 rhyming Bible stories that all point to God’s redemptive love. Each is paired with a Scripture citation and a Heart Moment of response. My Tender Heart Prayer Bookserves as a companion but with a focus on prayer. It contains 23 prayers to take a young child through the day and foster conversations with God. Like the Bible each prayer concludes with a Heart Moment of connection and response. That Heart Moment carries through to the Devotions as well because when we encounter God’s love and God’s truth we can’t help but respond with our whole heart!
As for Paraclete Press, I had seen and admired their books for children. And when I read their mission statement, I knew that we shared the same heart for God. It reads:
“In all times, in different branches of the Christian family, there are people who have written or sung or spoken things that encouraged us to give our lives to God and to listen to His voice. At Paraclete Press, we gather and share these treasures.”
I LOVE this! What a beautiful connection!
Laura, I love how My Tender Heart Devotions is going to be the perfect gift for little ones! I have a new grandbaby coming in December, and I know this baby and the parents need a copy! (I’m trying really hard not to say he or she, since the reveal party is AFTER this blog post!) The 52-week schedule is exactly right. Share more about how you decided on this format and what you include in each devotional spread.
Actually, when I started the project, it was for forty devotions, but then as I got rolling, I realized I had enough for fifty. But, then I thought, don’t stop there! Make it fifty-two so that there can be one for each week of the year. But even though there are fifty-two, they are not dated and they can be read and enjoyed in any order. In fact, the book includes a handy topical index at the end so the devotions can be paired with a particular theme or situation in a child’s life.
As for the format for each spread, I thought about what I, as a parent of young children, would want the components to be and went from there. Thus, each devotional spread includes a title, a Bible citation (so children can practice digging directly into Scripture), a fun poem that serves as the spark for the devotion, an anchor verse (so tired parents don’t necessarily have to look up the verse right then and there), a short kid-friendly message that links it all together with God’s Word in an applicable way, and a Heart Moment of response.
Here are two examples from the book:
I really like all you have included with each devotion. Every family should be able to choose and adjust to what their young ones need and can handle at any given time.
Your author voice is just right for this book. And Sandra’s illustrations are a perfect match. How did the two of you hook up? How much feedback do you give Sandra? Did you send art notes? I must say, you make a great team!
Thank you so much. I totally agree about Sandra’s darling illustrations and think they are a lovely match to the text. She is amazing! The team at Paraclete Press paired us together.
In terms of art notes, editors really discourage including art notes in a manuscript unless absolutely necessary. That being said, for the Devotions I did send my editor a couple of photos in the hopes that Sandra might use them for inspiration as she illustrated. The first, to pair with the devotion “Toy Sailboat”, was a photo of me and my sister as children pushing toy sail boats in a city fountain. The second to go with “Clock Trust” was a picture of the lovely nineteenth century steeple clock we have on the mantel in our living room. And she did!
More great connections! You work well together!
My Tender Heart Devotions will be released on October 1. Happy book birthday! Do you have any special plans for your book release day?
I don’t have anything planned yet for the exact release day, but here’s an event that’s almost on release day! If any of y’all live in the Oklahoma City area, please join me for a pajama story time with the Devotions on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 6pm at Best of Books in Edmond, OK.
And please do check my website in the next few weeks for other fall events because I’m building a little book tour as we speak. It will include visits to bookstores, schools and churches.
A pajama party! How fun! If only Oklahoma was not so far from Washington state, I would be there with my jammies on!
What’s next for you, Laura? Any new projects in the works or anything else you want to share?
I’m delighted to share that I have a new picture book releasing in early January. It’s called FAITHFUL FEET. Learn all about it here.
And if you’re curious about the My Tender Heart series, or want to download the free printables that go with each book, head on over to mytenderheartbooks.com.
Congratulations on all of your books and upcoming books! Wow!Thank you, Laura, for stopping by today!
Friends, Laura and Paraclete Press have offered to give a copy of My Tender Heart Devotions to one reader once it is released on October 1. To put your name in the hat, please comment below and give Laura some love! Please make sure to leave your email so I can contact the winner after the drawing.
A winner will be drawn Monday, August 12 (US only).
I’m excited to have my friend and fellow critique partner, Kim Larson, interview me today. Her debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float, will be released Oct. 1 (The Little Press). You can learn more about her at KimALarson.com.
And here’s my guest host, Kim!
Congratulations on your beautiful book, Angie! It has such an important message. I’m thrilled to interview you today so your blog readers can learn more about this amazing book. Please tell me where you got the idea for it?
In January 2023, I was at a WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union) preschool affinity group meeting—a group of leaders who love and teach preschoolers. We discussed what resources the leaders wanted or needed, what they would like to have for their classrooms. The idea of a picture book about friends and kindness came up. The topic of kindness and friendship is evergreen for everyone, especially preschoolers who focus on practicing kindness and skills for making friends every single day. Be Kind, Make Friends came out of that discussion and sharing of ideas.
I should back up a bit and share that the name of the WMU preschool-aged missions discipleship program is called Mission Friends. More on that later.
That is such a fun backstory! I love that you found a need and filled it. Was this always the title for the project?
Be Kind, Make Friends has been the title from early on in the process, with a few tiny variations. I LOVE how Gayle West, our illustrator, turned the comma into a paper heart!
I agree! Gayle did an amazing job on the illustrations. I bet you were thrilled when you saw them. Tell me more about the writing process. Did you go through many revisions of the text?
So. Many. Revisions. From large picture down to tiny word changes. I think as authors, we are pretty hard on ourselves, aiming for the very best manuscript we can write, but also we are so close to the work, we need fresh eyes that haven’t spent nearly every waking minute writing, revising, thinking, and rearranging our manuscripts. It was an important part of my process to involve feedback from others. I had feedback from the preschool team at WMU, critiques from my critique partners, critiques from the 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge community—and all of that was to get it as close to perfect as possible.
And THEN we sent the Be Kind, Make Friends manuscript out to preschool leaders (who would potentially be using the book with preschoolers) and others in the WMU audience, a group of readers who regularly read preschool materials for feedback, preschool writers, and even higher education experts.
Getting fresh eyes on my manuscript was so important and helped me see words and ideas that might not be as clear to others as they were in my mind. Be Kind, Make Friends is nonfiction, so accuracy is vital. I am so thankful to ALL the readers. Writing something like Be Kind, Make Friends really is a team effort. Thank you, team!
For new (or any) writers, sending out our work can make us feel nervous. EEK! But when we have others read and critique our manuscripts and then we carefully choose how to implement the comments, this only makes our work better. But we need to remember that we are the creators of the work, so we do not have to use all of the suggestions, only those that fit with our vision for the work. I did find that if several readers mentioned the same section of the manuscript, then I knew that there was a problem I needed to work on, something to fix so the idea was clear.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the importance of feedback. As one of your critique partners, I’ve appreciated your honest, helpful suggestions and the encouragement you always provide. When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
I knew Be Kind, Make Friends was ready after I went through all of the above steps. Revisions. Critiques. Addressing comments. Rereading. Allowing time for the manuscript to rest. And then a final round of reading by our preschool team. I did not have to submit at that point since the project was already approved. In the kidlit world, Be Kind, Make Friends is called a work-for-hire project, so the process was a bit different. Gayle West was working on the illustrations right along with me as I worked on revisions. After I paginated (this is SO helpful) and made a thumbprint board of what text went on which page, she was ready to go. We came roaring down the finish line together! Ready to go to the printer.
You laid out the steps beautifully, whether it’s a work-for-hire project or otherwise, it takes a team to get a book into print.It sounds like one of your first steps was to find a publisher.How did you connect with the publisher of Be Kind, Make Friends?
About 30 years ago, my husband and I were attending First Baptist Church in Wapato, the church my husband grew up in and we were married in. Our family had grown by two babies, both preschoolers at the time. Wednesday night meetings were great for youth and adults, but there was nothing offered for preschoolers. Our pastor at the time suggested I try Mission Friends, a preschool missions discipleship curriculum. From the get-go I was in love with Mission Friends and the curriculum! Missionaries around the world, international excitement, fun activities, engaging stories, loads of hands-on learning. It was exactly right for us.
I loved the curriculum so much, I cold-queried them! LOL That’s what I’d call it now. Back then, in the dark ages of technology, I sent a typewriter-typed letter introducing myself and asking if I could write for them. I was soon invited to a writer’s conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and I was on my way. I’ve been writing preschool curriculum (stories, activities, session plans), picture books, articles, and other resources since then. I’ve been blessed to have a connection with WMU for many years. When this project came up, I was still (and still am) writing and editing preschool resources for WMU. I was very excited to write Be Kind, Make Friends!
I loved learning about your connection with the Mission Friends organization! I hope that continues. Tell me, what’s next for you?
I will continue writing and editing for WMU. I also write picture books and submit them to publishers and editors. I enjoy penning haiku poems and sharing them on my blog. There are always ideas swirling around in my head. I will have to see what happens next!
You are very creative, Angie, and I look forward to reading your future work. Please let your readers know where they can buy a copy of this beautiful book!
I would love to share where to find Be Kind, Make Friends!
Kim, thank you so much for hosting me today on my blog! You are a truly gifted writer and a special friend and critique partner! I appreciate you. I look forward to interviewing YOU soon about your upcoming debut picture book, Goat’s Boat Won’t Float!
Just look at the joy on these precious faces! They make me smile.
I’m THRILLED to present the cover of my new picture book BE KIND, MAKE FRIENDS! Published by Woman’s Missionary Union, BE KIND, MAKE FRIENDS will be available next month. Coming soon in JUNE!
Sending much thanks and love to the fabulous team at National WMU! You rock!
I was delighted to receive a copy of Sometimes I Am Afraid. Thank you, Joye Smith, Robin McCall, and Woman’s Missionary Union!
If ever there was a perfect time for reading Sometimes I Am Afraid, our current times are it! Though preschoolers may not be aware of the world situation or the political stresses of the world and nation, they can certainly feel the anxiety and fears of the adults and older family members around them. Preschoolers do know about the pandemic and they know life has changed, activities are limited, and if they go out, masks are required. Sometimes I Am Afraid is just what we need to share with the preschoolers in our lives. Truth be told, I also need to read it to myself, since adults are not exempt from fear.
Using examples of universal childhood fears, this story is told in an easy to read manner accompanied by colorful, soothing illustrations. A child encounters something scary (dog, doctor, storm), and then remembers how to deal with the fear-inducing incident, both with a suggestion of how to think about the scary event and how to recall what the Bible says and how God will care for us in scary times. Each situation is reinforced with an appropriate Bible thought. The overall feel of Sometimes I Am Afraid is one of encouragement, combined with gentle reminders to pray and trust God to be right beside us no matter what is happening.
If your child struggles with fearful situations, this lovely picture book is just what the doctor ordered!
I was delighted to receive a copy of One Little Child. Thank you, Joye Smith and Woman’s Missionary Union!
Written by Joye Smith, preschool consultant and Preschool Resource Team Leader for Woman’s Missionary Union, this lovely picture book shares ways even the smallest child can help others around the world. Gayle West filled the pages with wonderful full-spread illustrations featuring preschoolers, families, and people in need of some of the most basic necessities. I love the combination of text and illustrations that share the stories and inspire readers to get involved in helping others.
Clothing, housing, food, access to medical care, clean drinking water, and protection from weather are just a few of the needs and situations preschoolers read about in One Little Child. While the subject matter is heavy and serious, the delicate handling of such tough issues provides hope and strategies for young readers to care, pray, and help in their own way. This book is well-written using words and emotions perfect for the preschool audience and their families.
Blurb from the Back Cover:
Through images of children from around the world, One Little Child encourages preschoolers’ care for others and teaches that they have a place in helping others as part of God’s plan.
Happy book birthday to Kindergarten Hat (June 9, 2020)! As a former kindergarten and preschool teacher, I love any book that helps young students conquer their anxiety and make that leap into going to school. I enjoyed reading about Carlos, his mother, and his new teacher with the giant hat! Janet Lawler is spot on with this lovely, colorful book.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Janet! Don’t forget, everyone, to help Janet celebrate her delayed book birthday on Tuesday, July 28, at 10 AM (Connecticut time). See more info below and mark your calendar.
Without further delay, here’s Janet!
Welcome, Janet! Tell us a little about yourself.
I started writing picture books as a second career after practicing law for more than a decade. Both careers require that you communicate clearly and simply. But writing for children is a joyful passion that gives me deep satisfaction and peace. I love how words make music, and I marvel at the way illustrators add detail and layers to my stories. Each book is a new adventure! I have had over twenty-five books published and have several more in the pipeline.
What was your inspiration for KINDERGARTEN HAT?
My son and daughter had the same terrific kindergarten teacher, 9 years apart, at our neighborhood grammar school. Judy Baccei always wore a huge flowered hat on the first day, so her students could find her easily. That hat inspired my story.
What was the writing journey you took as you wrote this book?
My writing journey for this story started over thirteen years ago! I went through many revisions before starting to submit the story to various publishers. I did some submissions on my own and more than once put the manuscript in the “back drawer” as I worked on other stories.
Mirabel’s Missing Valentines was acquired by Brett Duquette at Sterling in 2017. Brett and I really connected throughout the editing process. So I asked my agent to submit KINDERGARTEN HAT to Brett after he’d moved to Little Bee. After one round of pre-acquisition editing, to add depth to Carlos’s emotional journey, the manuscript was acquired. Thereafter, I did another round of revisions, as well as several additional “tweaks” to get the story just right.
Everything is different right now with COVID-19, but how did you celebrate the book birthday of KINDERGARTEN HAT?
The pandemic certainly changed my plans for promoting this book! I had planned for a large launch event on May 30th that was canceled. I did a book birthday posting on my Facebook page, and both my publisher and my agency spread the word via Twitter and Instagram. I e-mailed and messaged indie bookstores and friends, fans, and family all over the country. I have recorded a virtual story time that will post live on the Kids Place of the Farmington CT Public Library on Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m. That will be my delayed “book birthday” launch! Anyone can visit that day or thereafter, to hear more detail about the book and listen to my full reading of the story. https://www.facebook.com/flkidsplace/
Surprise us! What else would you like to share?
I have had a 2nd book released this summer—Good Night, Little Engine. , The classic tale by Watty Piper, The Little Engine That Could, celebrates its 90th Anniversary in 2020! Grosset & Dunlap asked me to write a rhyming bedtime story as part of the celebration. Good Night, Little Engine is beautifully illustrated by Jill Howarth. I hope that both KINDERGARTEN HAT and Good Night, Little Engine will help comfort and encourage kids during uncertain times.
Congratulations, Janet! I look forward to reading more of your books!
Amazon Blurb:
“A practically perfect first-experience story, especially for anxious hearts and gentle spirits.” Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Carlos Abredo is scared to start kindergarten, but a special teacher with an amazing hat helps give him the confidence to start the school year with a smile.
Carlos Abredo loves building forts, playing soccer, vrooming cars, and gardening. But after moving to a new town, he’s nervous to start his first day of kindergarten. What if the bus gets lost? What if he can’t make friends? What if he can’t find his teacher?! Starting school can be intimidating for anyone, but when you’re also the new kid, it can be downright scary.
When Carlos gets a letter from his new teacher, he starts to feel a little better. He picks out a gift for her, and after a much-needed hug from Mom, he sets off for his first day. But when his present is accidentally ruined, will Carlos be able to salvage his first day of school?
From Janet:
Carlos is new to town and his anxieties grow as he prepares for the first day of school and travels on the bus with a special flower for his teacher’s hat. This floral take on the starting-school theme was inspired by Janet’s son and daughter’s wonderful kindergarten teacher. She always wore a huge flowered hat on the first day, so that kids coming off the buses could find her.
It is likely that little ones starting school this fall following the corona virus crisis may be struggling with messy feelings and worries. Hopefully, the humor and heart of KINDERGARTEN HAT will make them feel less alone and help each of them start their first day with a great big kindergarten smile.
First, congratulations are in order to announce the winner of Baby’s First Nativity by Nomar Perez (Little Bee Books).
The winner is: Melissa!
Watch your mailbox, Melissa. I hope you enjoy this adorable Christmas board book. Merry Christmas!
And now, on to the book report.
All Colors
Written and illustrated by Amalia Hoffman
Schiffer Publishing, 2019
I won a copy of All Colors from Kathy Tremean’s blog Writing and Illustrating and Amalia Hoffman. You can read more about Amalia Hoffman here. Thank you to Kathy and Amalia!
Why I Love This Book:
~ The colors! I’ve seen colors represented in books many times, but usually the colors are introduced on a white background. It’s very interesting to see them on black.
~ The friendship theme (spoiler alert). We need books about being friends with others even if they are different than we are.
~ The board book. This is one durable book. Nice and sturdy for lots of use.
~ Kid-friendly. I read this one to my two youngest grands, and one immediately said, “Again!”
~ The art approach. I know this book can be used to help young readers feel confident in drawing pictures (instead of just coloring them). Each step is easy to replicate, no matter the age.
Amazon Blurb:
This board book introduces children to colors, textures, and parts of the body while conveying a message about friendship, celebrating diversity, and inclusion. As the reader turns the pages, colors are added one by one, creating the image of a boy. Different strokes and textures make up each body part, and at the end the boy joins his friends, all made of different combinations. All Colors shows that all people are made up of the same pieces, yet are all unique and full of color!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!
Need a fun board book that teaches colors AND how to draw a simple person? Check out ALL COLORS by Amalia Hoffman. #boardbooks #picturebooks #kidlit
Miss Autumn has been birthday princess for the last week. Minnie Mouse visited her birthday through cake, wrappings, and gifts. Cool balloon Minnie greetings floated in helium bliss and adorned Autumn’s wrist and bedroom.
Birthday girl has been hauling around a beloved Minnie balloon. Inside and outside. Can you see where this is going?
Yesterday, held free-hand instead of tied, the favorite balloon escaped and slipped from Autumn’s clasped fist. Helium filled Minnie quickly ascended to travel blue skies. The lesson of what happens to all free floating helium-filled balloons became reality.
Sobbing tears, this heart-broken nearly 3-year-old announced to the nearby world how upset she was with this loss.
Despite mama loves, the sobbing continued. And was quickly added to when big brother Donavyn began sobbing and came to mommy. With puppy Ginger tangled around her feet and two sobbing children, mommy Jamie staggered in the house to try and restore order and figure out why Big Brother was crying.
A Minnie cake by Gramma Schlenker, a sweater hand-me-down from Auntie Chelsie (who is 28!)
And what a caring boy to cry and sob.
Big Brother Donavyn was crushed for his sister and her balloon loss. We thought something had happened to him (bee, fall, scrape) but he was sympathizing with sissy. Such a sweetheart to take on and share the feelings of his little sister!
Are you a sympathetic cryer? I have my moments when I just can’t help myself and cry right along in sympathy (or empathy, if the occasion for tears is truly a shared experience). Shared tears offers comfort.
Good job, Donavyn, for helping Sister feel better.
Autumn is happy, just not sure how to smile at the camera AND show her card.
Love, Laughter, and Life 