Maya, the new girl, arrives at school and makes many efforts to befriend her classmates. However, Chloe and her friends reject Maya...whisper about her second-hand clothes. Maya ends up playing alone and eventually doesn’t return to school. Chloe's teacher gives the class a lesson about how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference. This leaves a strong impression on Chloe and she wishes she had been kind to Maya. Chloe's remorse at this lost opportunity is a potent life lesson learned on the importance of being kind.

In this long-form picture book we meet Maya, a new girl at school whose desk is next to that of our narrator, Chloe. From the moment she arrives Maya is friendly and enthusiastic, inviting Chloe and her friends to play jacks and frequently attempting to initiate conversation. But Chloe notices Maya wears hand-me-down clothing and she brings unusual food for lunch; she even goes so far as coming up with a mean nickname for Maya.

Then one day their teacher gives them a lesson about kindness. "Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world," Ms. Albert says. The lesson completely re-frames Chloe's perspective on how she's been treating her new classmate - but is it too late?

I LOVE the message of this book, as I always try my best to act with kindness. I recommend this book to everyone, really, though it's also a wonderful book for early to upper elementary kids because it stresses the importance of kindness.

I stumbled upon this picture book while looking for books for my three young daughters ages 6 years and younger. The illustrations drew me in as well as the title/subject matter. It was a sad book to read to my kids and the ending left us all feeling empty.

I don't recommend this for children under 8 years. I think there are much better ways to teach the great importance of kindness.

This picture book breaks my heart, but not entirely in a bad way. Like a good cry, it cleanses the soul in preparation for new action. This is a beautiful story of friendship and empathy and regret. Never didactic. So real. A great choice for a read-aloud to a class of elementary school kids up through about fifth grade. I love picture books for older kids, and this is one of the best.

This story is a great tool for illustrating the concept of kindness at the beginning of the school year. I like the emphasis it places on the little acts of kindness we can show each day. Small acts of kindness are doable for kids. The ending isn't ideal, though clearly shows how important opportunities can be lost if we don't act upon them, or exclude others.

Well, gosh, that's sniffle inducing. But also lovely and worthwhile!

This book reminded me of The One Hundred Dresses https://cml.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1001514105_the_hundred_dresses. The theme is the same - remembering to show kindness. This is a good book for discussions on empathy and remorse. The watercolor illustrations by E. B. White are beautiful.

While a bit didactic, this is still a lovely story about grasping opportunities to show kindness to those around you.

After their teacher Ms. Albert gives a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong -- they've been relentlessly cruel to new student Maya, making fun of her shabby clothes and refusing to play with her. But has Chloe learned her lesson too late? This gorgeously illustrated, quiet, and realistically melancholy story delivers its message gently yet indelibly, bringing home the full emotional impact of having missed one's final chance to make up for hurting someone else. For another honest look at relationship dynamics between kids, check out Mary Ann Rodman's My Best Friend, also illustrated by Earl B. Lewis.

Picture books newsletter September 2014

I highly recommend this book, but with a caution. This awesome book demonstrates the value of showing kindness to others, regardless of the kind of peer pressure that encourages youth to shun those who they perceive to be different than them. Part of the value of the book is that it demonstrates that there isn’t always a “happily ever after” ending to each story, as we don’t always get a 2nd chance. My caution is to read and evaluate this book before reading it to/with any child who is shy or feeling shunned or bullied. I unknowingly read it to my extremely shy 5 year old granddaughter (who also has a speech disorder) & she was sad for the rest of the day. Unfortunately for her, the book reinforced all the fears she had about being brave and trying to reach out and talk to others in an attempt to make friends, as she immediately related to the young girl in the book who was being shunned.