WILL YOU BE THE "I" IN KIND?

In an unusual how-to book, children are instructed in the art of kindness.

A piece of lined paper with a painted face and printed with the word K_nd asks members of a racially diverse group of children if they wish to be the missing “ ‘i’ in Kind.” All the children reply in the affirmative, asking how they can achieve that goal. Each child is given a specific behavior to practice. Smile at everyone, and they will smile at you. Pay attention to people around you; provide help and encouragement when it’s needed. Allow someone to take a turn before you, pick up litter, or just do something unexpected to make someone feel good. The children gladly receive the suggestions and immediately implement them with great success. The intent of the work is to present kindness as an everyday, achievable part of a good life. It works as a vehicle for discussion among parents, teachers, and children. But it is too earnest, with the tone of the instructions becoming preachier and more condescending with each example. A floating paper narrator is hard enough to accept, but there is also a second nonhuman character, in the form of graffiti on a brick wall that proclaims “BE KIND” in giant letters. Just in case readers miss the point, the piece of paper announces that kindness is a “great, big, huge” concept.

Well-intentioned but way over the top in execution.