It feels fitting to focus on kindness in these unfamiliar and unsettling times
I, too, am navigating this situation with two small kids at home. Finding ways to keep things positive, especially for my almost four-year old daughter, has become a daily challenge. I’ve found that taking time each day to slow down and read a few books has been one of the best ways to calm my anxieties and truly connect with my little girl. I hope that these books give you an opportunity to do the same.
Colette’s Lost Pet written and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Isabelle Arsenault is an incredible artist and illustrator. I have long admired her work (check out any of the following books, all featuring her artwork: Just Because by Mac Barnett, Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear and The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall, to name a few). Colette’s Lost Pet is both written and illustrated by Arsenault, and it is fantastic. Colette has just moved to a new neighborhood. She has been begging her parents for a pet, and their refusal has not gone over well. She begins to meet her new neighbors and tells them all about her fictional and lost pet bird. The story of her bird gets exceedingly fantastical and her new friends are rapt, listening to her story and helping her search for her beloved pet. Eventually, it becomes clear that Colette’s bird is imaginary, but her new friends don’t seem to mind. In fact, they can’t wait to play with Colette the next day. Fear can make us do some crazy things, but true friends will be there, playing right along.
The Bagel King by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Sandy Nichols
I LOVE The Bagel King, and honestly, I’m not completely sure why. It is a simple story of a little boy, his grandfather and their mutual love of bagels. Every Sunday Zaida brings Eli a bagel from their favorite bagel shop. Eli doesn’t realize how much he enjoys this tradition until his grandfather falls down and is unable to bring bagels. Each day the next week, Eli brings chicken soup, books, chicken soup and a dog friend to Zaida’s apartment to cheer him up. Then, on Sunday, Eli surprises Zaida and all of his friends with their bagel orders. So often, we take things, and people, for granted, assuming rituals will always stay the same and the people we love will always be around. This book beautifully illustrates the importance of gratitude, respect, kindness and appreciation.
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Francesca Sanna
My Friend Earth is a brand new book that highlights a different kind of kindness — kindness to the Earth. Patricia MacLachlan and Francesca Sanna have created an absolutely stunning children’s book about the beauty of the environment around us. Each page is carefully cut to reveal all of the different kindnesses of our friend, Earth. In the spring, rain falls to revive the plants that have lain dormant through the winter. The warmth of summer is replaced with the beauty of fall leaves and the whisper of falling snow. Just as the Earth takes care of us, we must take care of the Earth. I really can’t say enough about how gorgeous this book is — and perfect for Earth Day. While we’re sheltering inside, doing what we can to take care of each other, we should also be thinking about all the ways we can take care of our planet.
Everybody Bakes Bread by Norah Dooley, illustrated by Peter J. Thornton
Carrie is stuck in her house on a rainy day. Her mother is baking bread, and her little brother is annoying her. As Carrie and her brother fight, her mother sends her out on an errand. She stops at each of her neighbors’ houses and finds that each one is spending the rainy day baking bread, just like her mom. Her neighbors are from all over the world and each has a different bread recipe that they share with Carrie. Everybody Bakes Bread is such a lovely book: warm, simple and beautiful in its message to enjoy, share and connect with our neighbors — something we won’t take for granted after we’re able to emerge from our homes and start spending time together again. As an added bonus, all of the bread recipes are included in this book. This could be a great way to spend an afternoon inside trying something new with your family.
– Margaret Leonard
Margaret Leonard is the owner, along with Jill Heinke Moen, of Dotters Books, an independent bookstore in Eau Claire. The shop, which specializes in books by a diverse range of authors, began as a book club and opened its doors in the fall of 2018. Follow Dotters Books on Instagram and Facebook.