Grow Kind

In their follow-up to Grow Happy and Grow Grateful, the father-daughter authorial team shares Kiko the gardener’s journey to fostering kindness. Bob-haired Kiko sees her garden’s plentiful harvest (“tomatoes and potatoes, radishes and roses, blackberries and broccoli, melons and marigolds”). With the help of her teenage sister, Annie, and the companionship of their dog, Chico, Kiko delivers the produce and flowers around the neighborhood (“Blackberries for Keisha, who loves sweet fruit”). The next day, the girl shares her bounty with a homeless woman, as well as with her own classmates. The didactic tone may dissuade some (“Taking time to be kind to others makes everyone feel good,” Kiko’s narration relays), but textural multimedia artwork by Lyles makes the book feel more engaging than strictly educational. A back matter note to caregivers provides helpful supplementary material with examples on how to encourage “social awareness and relationship skills” in children. Ages 4–8. [em](Mar.) [/em]