I Am a Kindness Hero

December 1, 2020
A young child embodies the many facets of kindness in this affirming read. A repetitive mantra of "I am" introduces text that demonstrates how the main character engages in acts of kindness that benefit those around them: "I am a kindness hero. / I am a defender of animals.... / I am helpful. / I am patient." These broad and sometimes-ambiguous proclamations are accompanied by illustrations that provide context and present audience-friendly scenes of generosity toward the Earth, animals, and other humans. The child's community-focused efforts include protecting insects by building them a nesting box, helping an elder cross the street, and confronting a bully on behalf of a smaller child. Turning inward, the main character acknowledges overcoming jealousy and listening sympathetically as internal processes that respond to others with compassion. These accessible examples reassure readers that kindness empowers the enactor through actions both large and small. While these behaviors may lead to positive outcomes, the text inflates the effect of kindness, concluding that "all the people who I meet...will know they are loved." A soothing color palette grounded in muted greens reinforces the gentle, uplifting tone of the book. The main character has black hair, brown skin, and blue eyes. Secondary characters are represented in a variety of skin tones. Sincere but overreaches a bit. (Picture book. 3-7)

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December 14, 2020
The team behind I Am a Warrior Goddess returns for this companion picture book, which utilizes the refrain “I am” while following a dark-haired, brown-skinned child with blue eyes who is kind in all aspects of life. Lemniscates’s textural artwork shows the child respecting flora, fauna, and fellow humans: surveying a vegetable garden ready for harvest (“I am... a guardian of the Earth”), carrying an elderly woman’s groceries across the street (“Heroes are kind to strangers and to friends”), defending a younger kid (“I fight for kindness when I stand up for others”), and more. Through small, individual acts, the child shows compassion and aims to make the world a better place. Though Adams’s text sometimes veers toward the didactic (“I battle my jealousy when I high-five the winner”), the book should still encourage young readers: “If I fight for kindness, then maybe others will too.” Ages 4–8.

February 1, 2021

PreS-K-A follow-up to Adams's I Am a Warrior Goddess, which focuses on empowering girls to be leaders in making the world a better place, this title demonstrates the many paths of kindness, as exhibited by a boy with black hair, a white T-shirt, and deep brown skin. Building a home for bees. Helping an elderly woman cross the street. Tying a little sister's shoes. Standing up to bullies. He demonstrates just some of the numerous ways that a kindness hero shows power and strength by loving, respecting, and helping family, friends, and strangers of all ages. Adams's clear, direct text, paired with the bold style of Lemniscates's papercutlike scenes of kindness in action help allay the didacticism of the messages; the heroics take place in an ordinary neighborhood and in snug domestic scenes. The focus is on encouraging gentleness in boys, but the story is accessible to all children. Paired with Adams's previous book, this may guide parents and caregivers to engage in direct conversations with young children on developing positive character qualities. VERDICT An empowering purchase for public libraries looking for new titles on building character.-Emily Brush, Novi P.L., MI

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