Catching Kindness has a good message, but the delivery is a little odd to me. The book seems to convey crankiness in adult scenarios instead of scenarios relatable to kids. The message to spread kindness and watch it grow is a good one, we just weren't fans of the story.

I also found the font size quite small compared to the pages and illustrations. Hopefully this will be changed in the physical book.

I found this to be a great way to talk about positive attitudes and kindness with kids in a very relatable way. Everyone goes grocery shopping, so it’s easy for kids to understand the concept of cause and effect in the book.

A sweet story with lovely illustrations.

It would not be a first choice for a storytime with Littles, but I can easily imagine having discussions around other ways to show kindness with older children.

This lovely picture book follows a kid at the grocery store where everyone is in a hurry. But part way through, kindness sweeps through the store and people begin to be considerate to each other as they ‘catch’ kindness. It is a great reminder that even small actions can change someone’s day and you can choose kindness.

Sometimes being kind requires a little more oomph.
This is especially true at the grocery store. Especially when the store's only car cart is already taken by a kid in a fancy cowboy outfit. Especially when it seems like everyone else at the store is in a bad mood too. But sometimes kindness can take you by surprise. Suddenly the kid with the car-cart yields his ride, and that small act changes everything.
We need a lot of kind people in the world.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a book about a child in a grocery store who struggles with kindness at first, but one act of kindness towards him sparks the need to show kindness towards others. Soon others are participating in acts of kindness as well. This book would be a good choice for a morning meeting discussion at school, or reading together with your kids at home to discuss the importance of being kind.

A picture book about how to show kindness. Could be used for social emotional learning in grades K-2

Even in the grocery store where many are irritable and hungry, kindness can be spread at the speed of a smile and a nice deed.
The illustrations by the author are imaginative and brilliantly colorful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Magination Press — American Psychological Association via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 07, 2025
#CatchingKindness by @kara_m_mitchell and @maginationpress @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #littlefreelibrary #bekind

Catching Kindness is a well-meaning picture book that delivers a sweet, simple message about the importance of spreading kindness in everyday places — in this case, a grocery store. The story follows a child as small acts of kindness start to catch on, showing how one good deed can ripple through a community.

While the heart of the book is in the right place, the delivery feels a little cheesy at times with its use of contrasting. Overall, Catching Kindness is a pleasant read with a positive message.

Catching Kindness teaches young children that just like cranky feelings, kindness can be contagious. With random acts of friendliness, we can make others' days better, as well as our own. This is an absolutely adorable book that I would love to have in my classroom library.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📚 Ages 5–9
🗓️ Publishing October 7, 2025

Catching Kindness is a sweet and thoughtful picture book that gently explores the idea that just like a cold, moods—both grumpy and kind ones—can be contagious.

In Catching Kindness, we follow a young boy on a grocery store run with his mom. The story unfolds through a series of small, everyday interactions among shoppers. Some are grumpy. But then, someone decides to be kind, and kindness starts to spread like ripples from customer to customer. The book seamlessly weaves these interactions into the main narrative. It’s not just about our young narrator and his experience—it’s about all the people around him and how their choices impact one another. This layered storytelling invites kids to notice the world beyond themselves and consider how their own actions might shape someone else’s day.

The illustrations are full of detail, and give young readers plenty to discover with every page turn. Whether it’s the facial expressions of the shoppers or little visual subplots playing out in the background, there’s always something to point out and talk about.

Catching Kindness is a lovely conversation starter for classrooms and families alike. It encourages empathy and emotional awareness in a way that feels natural and age-appropriate.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Kindness costs nothing, and spreads faster than you know.
This book features around the theme of kindness, and how being a kind person positively contributes to the world around you. The main character is in a grocery store, and witnessing people being 'cranky' because of small inconveniences. They lament that being cranky can be easier in these kinds of settings, but then someone is kind to them. The main character then shares that kindness, and watches as it spread throughout the grocery store.
The message in this story was wonderfully done, in a way that is easily relatable and understandable to readers. The author writes that kindness, while difficult sometimes in moments of anger, is free and can inspire those around you. I really liked the illustrations and how colorful they were; I think that they pair well with the story and don't take away from the message. This book would a great social emotional tool in elementary schools to talk about spreading kindness and managing emotions.

This book has a great theme of spreading kindness. The setting of a grocery store provides a great backdrop for the theme.

This is a beautifully illustrated children's book about being kind in the grocery store. I just love the grocery store setting, and most children will enjoy the familiarity of this setting as well.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Catching Kindness is a beautiful picture book for children about how a small act of kindness can change the mood of many.
The book shows a mother shopping with her child at the supermarket, but everyone is cranky and taking it out on each other. When the child does something kind, the kindness spreads from person to person, changing the mood and the course of the day for many.
This was a simple but impactful book for children to show what just a touch of kindness can do and how important it is to be kind even if those around you aren't being.
The illustrations are cute and help express what the author is trying to portray.

What a wonderful story that teaches us all about kindness and paying it forward. Wonderfully original illustrations.

Sometimes we all need a little reminder to go out and catch some kindness that we can then spread along to others! This book is a wonderful way to teach children simple ways to be kind and then open up that conversation on how we were kind today and also how others were kind to us. This book is perfect for kids ages 3-6.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Catching Kindness by Kara Mitchell is a delightful book to spark conversation about kindness. This book takes place in a grocery store and explores many ways to offer patience while shopping. The illustrations are clever and make the story come alive. I love when the book talks about how sometimes people can be ridiculously cranky while shopping and how important it is to pass out kindness like parade candy. This is a terrific book for all young scholars. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I plan to buy multiple copies and share them with friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute picture book. I like how there are so many examples of how to spread kindness in just one setting. It was a bit confusing to see the child with so many adults - was her there alone? The illustrations will provide some pretty fun talking points when reading it with children. I would definitely add this to my classroom library.

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very cute book. The message, of taking the time to slow down and practice kindness is badly needed in today's world. And the pictures are really adorable!