KIND

A compilation of many artists’ work benefits an organization that serves refugees.

In his foreword, illustrator Axel Scheffler invites readers to “enjoy exploring this book.” The verb choice acknowledges that this isn’t so much a story as it is a call to reflect on many ways we can offer kindness to one another. He also introduces the British refugee assistance organization Three Peas, which provides context for some interior spreads’ focus on “people…[who’ve] had to leave their homes and their countries because of danger.” The text is written by Scheffler’s longtime editor, and accompanying illustrations are by many different artists. The spread quoted above has a picture by Britta Teckentrup that shows not just people, but anthropomorphic animals crossing wide waters, including one boat with a giraffe accompanying three brown-skinned people. Another spread reads, “Animals need lots of kindness, too”; here, Nicola Kinnear more clearly delineates wild animals from depicted human beings. Unfortunately, given the collaborative, patchwork nature of the effort, there are several places where a conflation of “people” and anthropomorphic animals draws attention away from the heartfelt messages of inclusion, compassion, and kindness. While animals often make for comforting stand-ins for human characters in children’s books, in this case their inclusion risks distancing readers from actual humans in need of empathy and welcome.

Warmhearted, but the uneven approach lessens its impact.