Reviews
“Inspiration to find—and perhaps spread—acts of kindness in our world.”
—Kirkus, read the full review HERE
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Look in the book...
Start reading The Sound of Kindness HERE.
THE SOUND OF KINDNESS
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
illustrated by Teresa Martínez
Magination Press/American Psychological Association
ISBN-10: 1433841495
ISBN-13: 978-1433841491​
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For Teachers
This heartwarming book touches on the themes of kindness and socio-emotional resonance, and the idea that our words matter.
Follow an adult and child as they explore their neighborhood, listening for the sounds of kindness. Words of friendship, gratitude, support, generosity, and love...we can see and hear them if we try. What will you hear if you take a kindness walk?
Kindness is all around us every day, if we know where to look—and listen!—for it. This book is a gentle and encouraging acknowledgment of how much it matters to be kind...in our families, friendships, and communities.
From the classroom
Upon hearing of a door decorating contest in our school, one of my kindergarteners ran to pick up The Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. She proceeded to describe her vision of handwritten notes capturing kindnesses the class hears. The excitement bubbled out of her, and soon, everyone was on board.
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The kids collected 103 different kindnesses in four days, carefully writing each one and taping them to the door. In the midst of the project, I sent a picture off to Amy who was completely delighted by the students’ work. She sent them an inspiring and hope-filled letter, dubbing them kindness detectives which they still identify as to this day.
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The beauty of this being child-led was incredible…but the impact it had on the attention to kindnesses and the momentum it built to be kind was even more incredible. This book started a kindness movement amongst my students, and it has been a true joy to experience alongside them.
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Mrs. Becca Burk
Greene Central School
Greene, Maine