Grow Kind

Kiko grows and cultivates her garden, harvesting and sharing the fruits and veggies with her friends, neighbors, and family. This delightful tale serves as a metaphor of nurturing relationships and community, while sharing kindness with others.

Grow Kind is a gentle narrative based on positive psychology and choice theory, essentially about cultivating kindness.

Sage Foster-Lasser is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she studies psychology and American studies. Grow Grateful is a follow-up to Grow Happy, her first children's book which she also coauthored with Jon Lasser. 

Jon Lasser, PhD, is a psychologist, school psychologist, and Regents' Professor at Texas State University. His children's books include Grow Happy, Grow Grateful, Grow Kind, and What Boys Do. Follow him on Instagram.opens in new window

Christopher Lyles has illustrated numerous books for children, including When You Look Out the Window, Grow Happy and Grow Grateful. Inspired by vintage graphics and antique surfaces, he uses collage and mixed media applications to create his art. He lives in Simsbury, CT. Visit his websiteopens in new window and follow him on Instagramopens in new window.

Children are learning very early that the world is a tough place in which to grow up. Giving kids the tools to get it done will be a tremendous boost. And these three books contribute to that effort in a delightful way.
—Children’s Books Heal

Grow Kind is a wonderful book that helps teach children the importance of kindness and how small acts of kindness make a difference for others.
—Talking About Books for Kids

An uplifting book about how to show kindness through abundant giving… Kiko's gentle adventures encourage children to think of others' needs and feelings… Lyles' colorful, collagelike illustrations are as inviting and charming as Kiko's narration… This positive, diverse book about kindness can be used in a variety of teaching and learning spaces.
—Kirkus Reviews

With the theme of positivity, empathy, kindness, sharing, this book shows diversity and acceptance among neighbors. I can see adults using this book to emphasize kindness and giving to others.
—Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center

In their follow-up to Grow Happy and Grow Grateful, the father-daughter authorial team shares Kiko the gardener's journey to fostering kindness…. Engaging.
—Publishers Weekly

• Everyday Kindness: Strategies to Help Your Young Child Build Social and Emotional Skills (PDF, 665KB)opens in new window
  Read an excerpt from the Note to Parents and Other Caregivers.
• Watch the author read Grow Kindopens in new window. Interested in this book? Purchase a copy to continue (or start) the conversation with the children in your life.