Words by Smiley Team
It’s well known that books can help us develop our empathy and compassion, which is why one woman is on a mission to maximise the potential of reading for kids.
The Kind Kids Book Club is the UK's first children's book subscription service dedicated to nurturing social conscience in little people, and highlighting the importance of kindness.
It’s designed for those aged from the tiniest tots to 10-years-old and above, and features carefully-curated and age-appropriate packs, designed to engage, empower and educate.
Devised during lockdown by Amie, a busy mum of three from rural Wales, the book club is committed to shaking up children's bookshelves by bringing stories full of empathy to the table.
(Read more about the doorstep libraries bringing big smiles to kids)
“We all love reading but for a long time, when it came to children’s books, if it wasn’t on a supermarket shelf, I wasn’t buying it," said the founder, Amie. "But I realised that wasn’t doing us any favours when it came to talking about, and understanding, the world around us, and how we can contribute to it positively with kindness and action.
“My children see themselves in the pages of the books we read regularly. They are knights on horseback, dinosaur keepers, doctors, pilots, friends to all manner of woodland animals and heroes. They are at the heart of the story. They are the story.
“But what about everyone and everything else? What about different cultures and different countries, strong girls and women, families that aren’t 2.4 children and people with disabilities? And not just tokenism. Central protagonists, one and all.
“How can I really teach my children to be kind – to show empathy and understanding for the world around them and the people they meet wherever their lives might take them - if they aren’t seeing it right now in the stories we read together?”
(Read more about Bookshop’s project which will develop diverse voices)
Amie began researching more inclusive books, which were full of empathy and kindness, and different experiences and places. That’s how the Kind Kids Book Club was born.
“Everything we do here at Kind Kids Book Club - from selecting beautiful books to crafting activities and materials to help explore more - is all about your kind kids," she said.
“We want them to understand their feelings, walk in other shoes, see themselves and others represented, use their voice, take action, follow their passions and bring kindness along wherever they go.
“We are committed to delivering everything you need to nurture social conscience in your little leaders of the future."
SUPPORT KINDNESS: You can sign up to the Kind Kids Book Club here.
DONATE: Want to make a difference with kindness? Donate to the Be Kind Movement.
PLEDGE AND VOLUNTEER: At Kindness UK, you can pledge an act of kindness. Find out how.
