"When We Are Kind" by Monique Gray Smith and illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt. The book details some of the ways that families and children in particular can be kind. The opportunities for kindness to themselves, others around them and even the planet are plentiful and encouraged throughout the book.

I enjoyed the premise of the book and really loved the cultural infusion. Some of the concepts hail from a different background than my own, but are so important and meaningful. I really liked that aspect of the book. The book seemed a little repetitive to me and not in an enjoyable way. I do understand that children will benefit from the repetition, but there was something about the phrasing that was slightly off putting. Other than that, I enjoyed the book and the content is excellent!
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

TREMENDOUS! I absolutely love Monique Gray Smith's picture books. She distills such complicated ideas into wonderful text perfect for even the youngest readers. The text is beautifully assisted by the fantastic illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt. The pictures depict specifically Native people, but also broadly focus on how we're all part of a larger community. I genuinely cannot wait to read this to children during story time. I think I might even request we buy it for our desk reference collection so I can have it on hand all the time! I like this book SO MUCH!!

I loved this book so, so much. It encourages so many positive things such as diversity, kindness, healthy eating, patience, love, respect.. and I could go on. These huge topics are covered in such a simple, easy way for children to understand and implement in their everyday life. I love that so many diverse people are represented in this short book and I believe everyone could benefit from reading it. 5/5 for me

This is a lovely book on ways to be kind. I really like that it also explores how we feel when people are kind to us and gives examples on both sides. Illustrations are simple but engaging.

When We Are Kind
By: Monique Gray Smith and Nicole Neidhardt
4.5 / 5.0


This picture book is one that should be read to every child before bed. It shows emotions and how we are all connected. The pictures are beautiful and the colors pop off the page. The characters look more realistic than cartoons which is a nice change. The story does involve Native Americans since Neidhardt is part Navajo, but the book isn’t overwhelmed with Native American references. It shows that we are one with the Earth and we have to be kind to it so it can be kind to us.

This book can be used for many things. It can be used as a way to show how we are part of the Earth's ecosystem or it can be used to show emotions/being kind. This is a very teachable book. I will make sure to keep this book in mind when customers are asking for a book about emotions.



Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Kind-Niháádaahwiin%C3%ADtı̨̨̨̨̨̨̨̨̨́įgo-English-Navaho/dp/1459827538/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=When+we+are+kind&qid=1591468932&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-are-kind-monique-gray-smith/1136451249?ean=9781459827530


This review will appear on my blog on October 13, 2020.

This book is a must have for classrooms. There are many beautiful illustrations depicting simple acts of kindness. This will be a wonderful teaching tool for educators to use to promote kindness and peace education.

"When We Are Kind" by Monique Gray Smith is a book we need in this world today. A diverse group of children and adults show the need for kindness in the world around them. The book teaches students various feelings as students see how kindness can make a person feel. The book provides multiple examples of how to show kindness and can be a conversation starter at home or in the classroom. A good pick for social emotional learning with readers from preschool to 2nd grade.

When we are Kind helps children explore everyday kindnesses, both giving and recieving them. It highlights the importance of kindness with our friends, classmates, family, the earth, and ourselves.

This is the newest picture book from Monique Gray Smith, and like My Heart Fills With Happiness, and You Hold Me Up, it's a beautiful book to share with children.

Thank you to Netgally and Orca Book Publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book for an honest review.

A simple children's story to setting an important foundation illustrating the importance of being kind to both yourself and others.

As always, Monique Gray Smith has written a book that children need in this time of unrest and turmoil.

"When We Are Kind" is a good reminder of what it means to be gentle - with ourselves, other people (children and adults), and with the earth. Simple but beautiful illustrations complement the words on each page and remind us of the ways we can respect and care for one another.

This is a book I will be reading with small children to help reinforce what respectful, caring relationships look like. (It's a quick refresher on respect for adults too!)

I don’t usually read children’s picture books but I’m trying to read literature outside my norm. I enjoyed the premise and that the pictures seem to include a diverse set of families. The format though viewing it electronically wasn’t good though - it would split pages and picture in half and didn’t keep the book in order (for example the author/illustrator page was in the middle of the book). I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had been able to read it as the author and illustrator probably intended it to be.

When We Are Kind is a beautifully illustrated children's book that is profound in its seeming simplicity. Each page provides lessons and moments of reflection for young children, as well as the adults reading with them. I loved the calming nature of this book, and the illustrations reflect what people in the world actually look like. I really appreciated the parts of the book that make the reader reflect on being kind to themselves, and how acts of kindness can have other positive effects, such as feeling comforted and happy.

Would definitely recommend adding this beautiful book to any young child's book collection or any library collection!

When are we kind? When do we feel kindness from others? Beautiful illustrations with Native Peoples representation in the illustrations and through the text invite us to take a few moments and reflect on kindness, helpfulness, love and respect for ourselves, our friends, family, elders and nature.

The kids and I absolutely loved this book! The pages were slightly off reading via kindle, but was an easy fix and the girls didn't get distracted. Perfect length for little ones. I read this to my daughters who are eight and four and both eagerly approved of this one. I can't wait to add it to our bookshelf! Thank you so much for this opportunity and sharing a bit of kindness with us so we can pass it to others.

Kindness is something you show yourself, others, and your world because the world is a better place when we practice kindness. Featuring Native children and families this beautiful picture book is a must-have for classrooms and libraries and can spark discussions on ways we can show kindness in our world.
#WhenWeAreKind #NetGalley

Quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The simplicity, but deep leaning is so lovely. I love the illustrations and that every child can relate. Also opens up the door to some vocabulary some may not be familiar with.

I received an electronic ARC from Orca Book Publishers through NetGalley.
Simple text for younger readers to follow and plenty of meaning for older ones to reflect on. Gray Smith takes readers through various scenarios where people should be kind to others. The author also pulls in other emotions that can be triggered by being kind. Love how the emphasis switches in the middle to ways to be kind to yourself too. Each page offers a simple statement that families can discuss and build on. The illustrations are representative of what our world actually looks like.
Looking forward to sharing this one with young families.

I thought this book was too simplistic at first....but actually its heart lies in its simplicity.

This calming, clean-cut book describes ways kids can be kind (to others and themselves) and the emotions they feel when they receive kindness.

A great intro to kindness and reminder of the ways, emotional benefits and reasons to be kind.

A good story to read with young listeners about how it feels to do kind things for others and to have kind things done to you as well. Simple, short text will be effective and impactful to the youngest readers in my school. The illustrations were very eye-catching.

What a thoughtful, gentle book! The illustrations are beautiful and comforting. I love the examples that help us to remember to be kind to the earth, our elders, our families, our pets, and ourselves, and the give-and-take that is illustrated through powerful words and imagery. I am always trying to teach kindness in my classroom, and this will help demonstrate to students how to be kind to one another, as well as the impact of kindness. Thank you for a lovely story!