The Sound of Kindness

This heartwarming book touches on the themes of kindness and socio-emotional resonance, and the idea that our words matter.

Follow an adult and child as they explore their neighborhood, listening for the sounds of kindness. Words of friendship, gratitude, support, generosity, and love...we can see and hear them if we try. What will you hear if you take a kindness walk?

Kindness is all around us every day, if we know where to look—and listen!—for it. This book is a gentle and encouraging acknowledgment of how much it matters to be kind...in our families, friendships, and communities.

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has taught writing for over twenty years. Her children’s books have received accolades from the Junior Library Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Council of Teachers of English. Amy blogs for students and teachers at The Poem Farm and Sharing Our Notebooks.

She lives in Holland, NY. Visit her onlineopens in new window and at The Poet Farmopens in new window.

Teresa Martinez is a children’s book illustrator who grew up in Mexico. She studied graphic design in Arte AC and took painting courses in Italy to learn different techniques.

She currently lives in Puerto Vallarta, a small beach town full of kindness that inspires her work. Follow her on Instagramopens in new window.

A parent and child go for a walk in their neighborhood, finding examples of kindness in the dialogue they hear… Martínez’s illustrations effectively highlight the parent and child and the people interacting in each spread… Inspiration to find—and perhaps spread—acts of kindness in our world.
—Kirkus

• The Sound of Kindness Educator’s Guide (PDF, 5390KB)opens in new window
• Watch the author read The Sound of Kindnessopens in new window. Interested in this book? Purchase a copy to continue (or start) the conversation with the children in your life.
• Sing along with author, artist, musician and teacher Barry Lane performing his version of The Sound of Kindness.opens in new window