I Could Use a Hug Right Now

Kind
Written by Alison Green, with a foreword by Axel Scheffler
Published April 4, 2019

The struggle is real. Be kind.

Kind. Simple, straightforward, and to-the-point, it’s the title and topic of this bighearted book. We all have lovely books on our shelves that guide our children to be kind. They remind them to share their toys, be sensitive to each other’s feelings, and make room for everyone at the lunch table. But this unique and beautifully executed book goes far beyond that, gently opening children’s eyes to the sometimes harsh reality of the human experience.

In an age-appropriate and approachable way, Kind addresses the topic of refugees. The book eases in by beginning with everyday acts of kindness that we are already familiar with. Midway, it deftly shifts to acts directed towards making newcomers feel welcome, valued, and supported. Differences are celebrated and cultures are shared, with similarities also pointed out to show the ways that we are all the same no matter where we come from.

“Sometimes people say we don’t have enough to share, and there’s no room for anyone more. But maybe you can say, ‘There’s plenty of room! Come on in!’ ”

This book is built on a cause, and the collective effort that brought it to life is inspiring. 38 of the world’s top illustrators contributed their artwork for free, resulting in an exciting and varied array of styles that achieve cohesion due to the book’s tight, singular theme. A portion of the book’s sales go to Three Peas, a charity that provides vital support to refugees and asylum seekers.

We all want our children to grow up to be kind, and for their world to be a better place than ours is now. That requires a world full of people who have empathy, and who care about the planet, its people, and all living things. This wonderfully ambitious book is a tool to encourage our children to build that world, one kind person and one kind act at a time.