Diné

When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.

Reviews
“A perfect addition to your bedtime routine, and would make a great gift for every teacher and librarian your child knows, so each school has a copy upon reopening.” — them.

“Simple statements have the resonance of affirmations and establish a clear chain of connectedness…A panoply of Indigenous characters is featured in rich detail. A visual feast for families interested in seeing the Native world through small, kind deeds.” — Kirkus Reviews

“An accessible picture book that will work well as a read-aloud in a group or for quiet reading alone. Whether at home or in the classroom, its pleasing repetition of phrases. such as 'I am kind when' and 'I feel', will appeal to young readers and invite re-reading. Highly Recommended.” — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"When We Are Kind is a poem-like story that celebrates the simple acts of everyday kindness. The story encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. It is an appropriate text for a younger audience, but it also has a relevant reminder message for older children."— The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
This picture book is the dual-language (English and Diné) edition of When We Are Kind. The translator for this work is Mildred Walters. Mildred Walters is Diné (Navajo) from Torreon, New Mexico, in the eastern region of the Navajo Nation. She has a bachelor of arts in linguistics, a master of arts in language, reading, and culture and a master of arts in information resources and library science. She currently works as a librarian for a Public Tribal Library in Sandia Pueblo, New Mexico, and has done so for 11 years. Mildred currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This book is also available in French: Nous sommes gentils

This book is available as a board book in English: When We Are Kind (BB)

Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Themes: Teaching Compassion, Being Kind, Family, Friendship, Gratitude

Simple, pointed text gives examples of how children can be kind to those around them, the different emotions that receiving kindness can make us feel, and how we maintain a connection with one another through acts of kindness within our community.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"