I received an audiobook arc from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

How do kids show kindness? This book has the answer! It rhymes and makes kindness broken down into parts represented by the acronym KIND. This is a great book for teaching children that they can make a difference. This is also a great book to talk about ways friends should be kind and how to be a friend. A much read for all elementary age kids and people with disabilities.

Excellent book showing children ways to be kind. Colorful illustrations, great phrasing, and cleverly organized. Well done! Perfect for preschool and elementary libraries and home libraries!

To be published May 7, 2024.
Thank you NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Orion Jean shows us you’re never too young to choose kindness.

Race to Kindness is a great book for teachers, parents, and children. It serves as a reminder that kindness is a choice and it’s a worth it to choose. It’s not always easy to be kind throughout your days. Discouragement, trials, and hard times can be a deterrent for everyone. But being kind can remind us all that we’re not alone.

One kind act can brighten someone else’s day. Orion tells us that although we’re all going through something, we all still deserve to be treated with kindness. That’s the message Jean is trying to convey.

“You can’t take care of people if you don’t take care of yourself.” Very wise words from the young Orion Jean.

Race to Kindness
by Orion Jean
Poetic look at the actual things you can do as acts of kindness. The idea that its a race to all the things you can do to enhance your life, and everyone else.
The audio book had an interview with the author. How he began to write, from an essay contest about kindness. The Fact that he was inspired by his teacher Mrs. Massey. The questions also shows how he balances his life, school, and speech presentation about Kindness.

Thank you Netgalley and Zonderkidz for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book is written by Orion Jean who is so young to be so mature. I thoroughly am impressed and astounded.
How can a kid at such an young age tell about how important is kindness. I was left speechless because I did not know. When it came to the author part in the narration then I realised how young Orion Jean is.

Race to kindness is a book every parent, teacher should get for their kids. Definitely highly recommended. What perfect rhyming!!! And yeah I forgot to mention that this is audiobook and he himself has narrated it. I mean how can a kid this young can do it so well? Unbelievable. A must book for every kid out there.

What an incredible children’s book, somehow magnified in its power and positive messaging in the audio format. This would be perfect to listen to as a daily reminder on the way to school in the morning, as part of regular routine. I also loved the interview bonus, which had important lessons and reminders — not just for kids of all ages, but for adults, too. What a brilliant child, wise beyond his years, serving as an example. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

My niece and i absolutely loved this. This book would be perfect for any elementary school library, and i highly encourage teachers to use it. Esepcailly since it's written by a kid!

This is a beautifully narrated book that reads like a mix between an inspiring speech, a pep talk from a friend, and a poem. The author is a kid which is amazing. He writes about how the race to kindness is one everyone wins. It’s a race because the whole world needs kindness. I was so inspired and encouraged by this book because not only was it empowering, but it was practical too.

The audiobook also includes an interview with the author which was very insightful and added a lot to the book. I would love to see the picture book now that I have heard the audio. It is a book that all ages could benefit from!

Listened to this book with my three year old. We both enjoyed the story.

My three year old stated she was going to kinder to all her friends.

I enjoyed seeing different aspects and views of how to be kind. We also enjoyed the cover, it showed a good diversity from all walks of life.

Race to Kindness

By Orion Jean

Book - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
Audio - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

Race to Kindness, written by Orion Jean, was named Time Kid of the Year in 2021. The story is about kindness and follows the acronym “Be Kind”. The story is rhyming and gives examples of how to be kind. Showing that even if you are a smiling face, that’s kindness and can make a difference in someone’s day.

Narration was also done by Orion, there is no better way to describe it than precious. He wrote and narrated the story, since he is a child it will be appealing to young readers. The interview at the end was done between himself and his father and explains him winning the Time kid of the year and some of the things he has done for his community.
Thanks to Netgalley and Zonderkids for this audiobook.

A great book that could be listened to on National Kindness Day on November 13th each year. I also enjoyed the cover of this title because it showed children and their pets working together to promote kindness. The bright colors used on the title were also inviting and I think many readers will pick this book up just because of the artwork. The story encourages kindness through many activities both small and large that children can do for their families and their neighbors. This book is written in a lyrical poem format encouraging children to be kind through thoughtful rhymes. The audio version also read the about the author portion of the book and included an interview with the author that outlined the kindnesses that the author had done in his own life to be an example for other children to be kind and join the race to kindness initiative as well.

This audiobook is a great addition to the book. The narrator does a really good job of conveying the message of the book. It is read like poetry and the flow is very easy and natural and kids can follow along as it rhymes.
Even though it's a short book I think that this can help early readers that read along. The narrator's voice is quite soothing.

The story itself has a great message to younger kids about what being kind is, about what kindness feels like. I really enjoyed it and will purchase it for our younger classrooms.

What a beautifully read book. So many gentle reminders and ideas of how to share kindness and the impact it can leave. It’s easy to understand especially for little ones. I love hearing about the author and the bonus interview at the end of the audiobook.

I absolutely love this audiobook. I was enjoying the book anyway, then I realised the author is just 13 years old! I was blown away by the creativity and the encouraging message.

The second half of the book is about the author, Orion Jean, who was named TIME 2021 Kid of the Year for his outstanding efforts towards spreading kindness through various projects and campaigns.

Orion's "Race to Kindness" - this rhyming story, and the real-life kindness campaign he is driving forward - is inspiring, beautiful, and something we can (and should) all get behind. Great work, Orion.

Race to Kindness is due to be published on 7th May 2024.

I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) of this audiobook from the publisher, Zonderkidz (Zondervan), via NetGalley, for review purposes.

Race to Kindness is a beautifully written book about the best way to live in community. Although it is a children's book it is full of life lessons that adults need daily. I loved this story!! This is one every home should have, and I cannot wait to buy a copy on publication day. The book uses rhythmic verses to demonstrate the many different ways to show kindness, have fun and make a real difference in our neighbor's life. I give this book 5 stars and THANK YOU NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

Loved the audiobook version! I would absolutely purchase the physical book as a gift. I loved the rhyming and the ideas on how to show kindness.

As a children’s book, Race to Kindness is what you’d expect- colorful, positive, and full of rhyming. I found it to be very saccharine and it did not show nuance, but that might not be noticed by other readers. If it were not for the very young age of the author, I’d find this book very middle of the road. Since Orion Jean is in their youth and has done so much along with this book to champion kindness, I think that elevates the accomplishment of this sweet, rhyming story about showing kindness always and no matter what.

This was so sweet.
It is a great read with an important message.
The narration was well done and the interview at the end was also interesting.

A lovely children’s book to introduce how/remind how to be kind to one another.

I look forward to buying the paper copy to share with my class.

This story, Race to Kindness, has such an amazing message! I loved sharing this audiobook with my children. The author, Orion, is such a brilliant young mind, delivering the message of kindness to everyone. The audiobook was well done, and the extra interview with the author was so interesting and enjoyable!

This audiobook should be listened to at 1x speed. No speeding up here! Maybe even slow down a bit for the children to fully absorb.

Thank you NetGalley and Zonderkidz for this advanced audio copy.