Something: One Small Thing Can Make a Difference

by Natalee Creech, Pablo Pino (Illustrator)

Overview

Teach your little ones that their actions have the power to make the world a better place with this empowering illustrated book based on Matthew 25.

This inspiring board book explores themes of compassion and empathy, encouraging children to take positive action when they see a need in the world around them. From big things—like helping to plant a community garden or trying to find a home for an animal in need—to small things—like making a card or welcoming someone new—there is always something we can do! 

The book's lyrical refrain will stick with kids long after the book is closed: "If there’s something that you notice, there is something you can do. Keep your kindness radar working—maybe something starts with you!"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546008378
Publisher:	Worthy
Publication date:	01/14/2025
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.49(d)
Age Range:	1 - 4 Years

About the Author

Natalee Creech is a former teacher and current librarian who enjoys bringing Scripture to life through rhyme. During her twelve years as a teacher in South Korea, she discovered that poetry and songs helped her students learn English. When she couldn't find anything suitable to teach a specific concept, she would write it herself—from igneous rock to ecosystems and amphibians.
 

Editorial Reviews

Told in bouncy rhymes, this upbeat book urges readers to do something—well, various somethings—to demonstrate kindness, helpfulness, compassion, and neighborliness. “Others,” the book suggests, include relatives, friends, neighbors, members of one’s community, and animals. Kids are reminded that tuning in to one’s “kindness radar” doesn’t require being an adult or having money; children can display empathy and goodwill in simple, no-cost ways and by being observant and creative. The old adage “it’s the thought that counts” is the point—provided the empathic thought is backed up with generosity. Easy, doable examples include helping “an older person water plants or get the mail,” welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood, raking leaves, and washing someone’s car. Some examples of kindness aren’t so easily—or credibly—accomplished by children, however: e.g., setting up a sidewalk adoption station for abandoned pets. Adults sharing this cheery volume should encourage youngsters to volunteer ideas for ways they can be helpful. There’s a Christian slant here: An excerpt from the book of Matthew precedes the opening spread, and references to God and Jesus appear within the text, so this title will be welcome in Christian and Sunday school libraries. The colorful, lively illustrations and occasional, playful variations in font are appealing; background characters demonstrate diversity in skin tone, age, and body shape. 

A chipper reminder that something can add up to a whole lot.—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

01/01/2023

PreS-Gr 1—Small things, Creech writes, can make a difference. Written in a rhyming, sing-song tone, this book presents children with situations where doing something small—like watering plants, helping at a food bank, or even sharing an umbrella—has an impact on the lives of those around them. Pino's artwork is fun and colorful, peppering the page with sweet kids, cute animals, and humor. Young readers are invited, in a repeated refrain, to not just be kind, but to look for and be aware of moments that might need a kind act, by using their "kindness radar." That ties the book into Christianity, with references to God and Jesus made in the text and an opening passage from the Bible. VERDICT For collections looking to add religious-based, serviceable picture books, this one might help children identify what kindness can look like and how to practice it in their communities.—Jessica Schriver

School Library Journal

2022-11-29
Children are natural helpers.

Told in bouncy rhymes, this upbeat book urges readers to do something—well, various somethings—to demonstrate kindness, helpfulness, compassion, and neighborliness. “Others,” the book suggests, include relatives, friends, neighbors, members of one’s community, and animals. Kids are reminded that tuning in to one’s “kindness radar” doesn’t require being an adult or having money; children can display empathy and goodwill in simple, no-cost ways and by being observant and creative. The old adage “it’s the thought that counts” is the point—provided the empathic thought is backed up with generosity. Easy, doable examples include helping “an older person water plants or get the mail,” welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood, raking leaves, and washing someone’s car. Some examples of kindness aren’t so easily—or credibly—accomplished by children, however: e.g., setting up a sidewalk adoption station for abandoned pets. Adults sharing this cheery volume should encourage youngsters to volunteer ideas for ways they can be helpful. There’s a Christian slant here: An excerpt from the book of Matthew precedes the opening spread, and references to God and Jesus appear within the text, so this title will be welcome in Christian and Sunday school libraries. The colorful, lively illustrations and occasional, playful variations in font are appealing; background characters demonstrate diversity in skin tone, age, and body shape. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A chipper reminder that something can add up to a whole lot. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews