If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.


 

Anyone, no matter how young, can help make the world a better place through their thoughtful actions. It’s never too early to set a good example for children by modeling simple acts of kindness. When children are encouraged to see things from another’s point of view and be shown how their actions can help uplift others, they often grow up to be more caring, responsible, and compassionate members of a global community. Books can teach children that they don’t have to perform a heroic act to make the world a better place because even the smallest acts of kindness ripple across the world in ways that no one could imagine.

Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade

Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler
Mrs. Ruler is an unconventional teacher who decides to teach her unruly students that kindness is cool. Each kindergartner must perform five acts of kindness, and while most of the kids catch on, there is one student who needs a rescue of the class gerbils to get in a last-minute act of kindness. Parents and teachers will appreciate the list of 100 acts of kindness at the back of the book to inspire kids with ways to put kindness into action.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor?

Written with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues Stick and Stone with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.

Second & Third Grade

The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
The children in this book are inspired by Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse after their teacher, Mrs. Bloom, reads the story in class. She then instructs each student to perform an act of kindness and present it to the class. Minna cannot choose just one and decides to make a quilt with all of them. Other classmates add theirs to the quilt, and it soon takes over the school. The unique cut-paper illustrations present a variety of ways in which the important lesson of kindness can be shared, and displayed.

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, so her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe in England! And so the good feelings that started with Amelia’s smile make their way around the world, from a goodwill recital in Israel to an impromptu rumba concert in Paris, to a long-awaited marriage proposal in Italy, to a knitted scarf for a beloved niece back in New York. Putting a unique spin on “What goes around comes around,” David Ezra Stein’s charmingly illustrated story reminds us that adding even a small dose of kindness into the world is sure to spur more and more kindness, which could eventually make its way back to you!

Fourth & Fifth Grade 

El Deafo by Cece Bell
After a serious illness at the age of four, CeCe discovers that she’s no longer able to hear. Hearing aids and lip-reading involve unexpected challenges, and as she goes out into the wider world she realizes how little people understand what it’s like to live with hearing loss. To succeed in school, she gets a bulky device called a Phonic Ear that allows her to hear her teachers—even when they forget she’s listening. This delightful autobiographical graphic novel provides an uplifting and humorous glimpse into the life of a hard-of-hearing child. A great novel for raising awareness and promoting understanding.

New Kid by Jerry Kraft
A wonderful choice by the 2020 Newberry Award committee as the first graphic novel to win the prestigious award. Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. Instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds. Jordan is not really fitting into either one. This book allows readers to learn about different sides of the tensions that children and adults face every single day, yet have few opportunities to really discuss.

Middle School

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories by Amanda Li
From surviving a plane crash in the jungle to striking against climate change, you won’t believe the incredible stories of the challenges these brave kids from around the world have overcome! This book features 29 tales of amazing young girls and boys who have achieved the unimaginable. The stories range from triumphing over illness and injury to overcoming bullying. Entries include Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, whose youth climate activism sparked a global movement, and Pakistan’s Ayesha Farooq, who became Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot at age 25. Each section gives advice on how young people can participate in activities similar to the ones in the accompanying biography.

Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition by Catherine Ryan Hyde
A moving and uplifting novel about Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy in a small California town who accepts his teacher’s challenge to earn extra credit by coming up with a plan to change the world. Trevor’s idea is simple: do a good deed for three people, and instead of asking them to return the favor, ask them to “pay it forward” to three others who need help. A heart-melting story of a boy who shows how each of us can make a difference. If your family enjoys this book, watch the movie together afterward.

Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California. 

Over the past few months, theatre camps all over the country have had thousands of kids come through their doors to rehearse and perform a summer musical. They arrive day one with no knowledge of the script or characters, and, two or three weeks later, they are in costume under stage lights singing and dancing their hearts out. 

Years ago, when I used to direct these shows, I would look at the kids on their first day, their eager eyes looking up at me, and tell them, “You are about to embark on an adventure that most adults would NEVER EVER be able to do. In fact, if I were to tell a group of adults that, in 11 days, they would be presenting an entire musical fully memorized and fully choreographed, they would run out of the room screaming. But you guys, you can do it! You have the power to see that it is possible…possible with the power of teamwork.” 

And then they do it. They rehearse the show, memorize their lines, create their characters and, as a group, tell a story. 

I can’t help but think about the skills that we are looking for in our modern workforce. Let’s look at a couple of the big employers in my home of the SF Bay Area:

Google: ”If you’re looking for a place that values your curiosity, passion, and desire to learn, if you’re seeking colleagues who are big thinkers eager to take on fresh challenges as a team, then you’re a future Googler.”

Apple: “This is where some of the world’s most passionate people create the world’s most innovative products and experiences.”

Want to know what the “job description” looks like for the kids in theatre camp? 

“Wanted: An employee with a positive, can-do spirit of optimism. Strong teamwork skills required. Looking for passionate commitment to projects. Job requires creative thinking and attention to detail. Self-starters encouraged to apply. Public speaking and quick learning is a regular part of this position. Excellent communication skills a plus and the ability to think outside the box encouraged.”

Who doesn’t want that employee? 

 

 

This post originally appeared on Piedmont Post.

Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).  

   

The Wiggles are celebrating a major milestone. With 30 years of magical music behind them, the band is looking towards the future with a new “Greatest Hits” album, featuring the awesomely inclusive song “We’re All Fruit Salad.”

Fans of the kiddo version of the fab four can get moving to the 40-track album. Available right now, the “Greatest Hits” compilation features songs spanning the crib-rock band’s three decades of music-making.

The 30-year anniversary compilation includes faves such as “Hot Potato,” “Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga Big Red Car,” “Do the Propeller!,” Rock-A-Bye Your Bear,” “Fruit Salad” and so much more!

Along with the OG (that is “Original Guys”), the “Greatest Hits” album also includes a diverse cast of guests, such as James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Lou Diamond Phillips, Robert Rakete, Taylor Symone Jackson and Victor Valdes. Not only do the guests perform with the “Guys” on the album, but they also appear in an all-new Wiggles video for the track “We’re All Fruit Salad.”

Lucky fans down under can check out the band in a new tour. The Wiggles have already pre-sold 41,000 tickets in New Zealand as part of their Australian tour. Even though the band hasn’t announced U.S. dates, according to a press release, “As soon as it’s safe, the Wiggles plan to greet their legions of fans across North America in person.”

While you wait for the Wiggles to come to this side of the globe on tour, watch their new music video for “We’re All Fruit Salad” here and download the album here.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: The Wiggles

 

RELATED STORIES

The Wiggles Are Bringing Their Concerts to Your Home

Get Your Wiggle on with a New Song Celebrating Diversity

The Wiggles to Launch Brand New Series & New Studio Album This Week

Children’s musician Laurie Berkner has been busy. Not only is she getting ready to drop her 14th album, but she’s also gearing up for a special Valentine’s Day concert!

Airing on Feb. 14, Berkner will host two Valentine’s Day Live Virtual Family Concerts at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST on her website. Not only that, a family ticket will grant you admission to one or both livestreams!

photo: Courtesy of Laurie Berkner

“I can’t wait to perform my first Virtual Family Concerts of 2021!” says Laurie Berkner. “I’m so happy to have the chance to celebrate love and family on Valentine’s Day with everyone who watches, and I think it’s a perfect theme to kick off our concerts for this new year.”

To gear up for the show, Berkner encourages everyone to decorate their homes and to wear something fun in the spirit of Valentine’s Day. While you wait for the show to start, kids can enjoy a virtual lobby with pre-show music and videos, heart-decorating activity and Valentine’s Day games.

As for the show, get ready to sing along with tons of Berkner’s songs centering on love and family. You’ll hear tunes like “A Hug From My Mama,” “I Love You Daddy,” and “Blow A Kiss, in addition to some of her greatest hits. You can find all the info you need regarding family tickets and even special Meet-and-Greet options at laurieberkner.com.

––Karly Wood

 

RELATED STORIES

Children’s Musician Laurie Berkner Is about to Drop Her 14th Album

“Frozen’s” Idina Menzel Just Launched a Brand-New YouTube Show for Kids

Season 2 of “Gigantosaurus” Drops on Jan. 4th

Dust off your tutu. Disney+ announced that the complete original six-part docu-series On Pointe will premiere exclusively on the service. On Pointe captures a season in New York City’s world renowned School of American Ballet (SAB).

On Pointe

Featuring unprecedented access to one of the top youth ballet institutions in the world, the series follows the lives of the students ages 8 to 18 pursuing their dreams to become ballet dancers. While older students from all over the country rigorously train for professional careers, younger students from New York City are put through their paces as they rehearse and perform in New York City Ballet’s holiday classic George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker onstage at Lincoln Center.

On Pointe is produced by Imagine Documentaries and DCTV, with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes executive producing from Imagine Entertainment; Matthew O’Neill serves as executive producer from DCTV. Directed and produced by Larissa Bills, On Pointe premieres Fri., Dec. 18, with all episodes streaming only on Disney+.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney+

RELATED STORIES

Disney Junior’s “Puppy Dog Pals” Pay Homage to Mister Rogers in a Brand-New Episode

Disney+ Releases Music Video for Christina Aguliera’s “Loyal Brave True” from Mulan

Disney+ Original Docu-Series “Becoming” Chronicles the Lives of Celebrities

Disney+ Releases New Trailer for “The One and Only Ivan”

 

Enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas in a whole new way. The new Funkoverse Strategy Game combines your favorite characters in a head-to-head race for points. This edition include four unique playable characters including Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Dr. Finkelstein from the beloved Disney classic.

Funkoverse: Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas
During each turn players select one of their characters and perform two actions. Each character has access to basic actions like moving and challenges as well as several unique abilities that may be performed only by spending ability tokens. 

Funkoverse: Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas

Funkoverse uses an innovative “cooldown” system—the more powerful the ability, the longer it will take for the ability token to become available again. Players have to spend their ability tokens wisely. 

Funkoverse: Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas

Each character in Funkoverse is unique, so players are encouraged to try out different combinations of characters and items in order to discover their favorite synergies and powerful strategies for the different game scenarios. 

Funkoverse: Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you own other Funkoverse Strategy Games you can combine them to create an ultimate battle of epic proportions. 

Funkoverse: Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas is best suited for ages 10 and up. It is available on Amazon for $39.99. 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Funko

RELATED STORIES

This “Nightmare Before Christmas” Zero Nighlight Will Light Up Your Life

Build-A-Bear Just Introduced an Oogie Boogie Plush & He Sings

This Oogie Boogie Inflatable from Home Depot Stands Over 10 Feet Tall

We are anxiously awaiting the premiere of the new live-action Mulan. Disney+ just released the music video for the original song “Loyal Brave True” performed by Christina Aguliera. This is quite fitting as Aguliera sang the title song, “Reflection” from the original animated film. 

In addition to “Loyal Brave True,” Aguilera will also perform a newly-recorded “Reflection (2020).”  

Both songs will be featured in the film and on the Walt Disney Records soundtrack, with score composed and conducted by Harry Gregson-Williams, set for release on Sept. 4, 2020. You will be able to stream Mulan on Sept. 4 exclusively on Disney+ with Premier Access (Disney+ subscription and additional fee required).

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Disney

RELATED STORIES

Christina Aguilera & Her Daughter Have a Too-Cute Disneyland Reunion with Mulan

Disney Drops the First Full-Length Trailer for “Mulan”

Disney Reveals Stunning First Look at Live-Action “Mulan” Star in Costume

Gamers rejoice! In celebration of Pac-Man’s 40th Anniversary, fans will be able to enjoy this new version of a Hasbro classic game. Relieve some of their favorite gaming experiences with the Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man Game.

Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man Game

In the Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man board game players can play Pac-Man on the retro banking and arcade unit and can also use it to buy, sell, or steal Levels and perform various other actions. 

Watch out for the Ghost as you race around the board to buy Levels and earn points. Each time a player passes “Go” they get to play a mini game of Pac-Man. Rack up the points while everything is tracked in the banking and arcade unit, with no money changing hands. The player with the most points wins.

Monopoly Arcade Pac-Man Game is available online at Walmart, Target and Amazon beginning Aug. 1 and retails for $29.99.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Hasbro

RELATED STORIES

The “Stranger Things” Monopoly Game Is Here & Will Hold You Over Until Season 4

These Etch A Sketch Mashups Are Amazing & We Want Them All

This Swarovski Crystal Encrusted Monopoly Game Board Exists & You Can Preorder it Now!

Apple TV+’s season of Fraggle Rock: Rock On! is about to come to a close, but it won’t go off without a bang! The final two-mini episodes are studded with plenty of award-winning musicians and special guests.

In the two-part finale, the Fraggles will team up with celebs to share more songs and stories, the first of which is “Wembley and Gobo’s Mrazmerizing Adventure!” As the name implies, you’ll get to see plenty of Grammy-award winner Jason Mraz on his own farm. This episode is already available for streaming!

photo: Courtesy of Apple TV+

In next week’s episode, Jason Mraz returns and teams up with Alanis Morissette, Common, Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffany Haddish, and Ziggy Marley. The Fraggle rock gang and special guest group will come together to perform a new version of the classic theme song, “Dance Your Cares Away.”

The mini-episode will debut for free on Apple TV+ on Tues. May 26.

––Karly Wood

 

RELATED STORIES

Apple Brings Back the Fraggles & You Can Watch for Free

Cody and The Helpsters Team Up for Apple’s “Helpsters Help You”

“Muppets Now” to Premiere July 31 on Disney+

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is temporarily closed due to coronavirus concerns. The Museum will present two of its most popular programs starting this week. They will bring their weekly Songwriter Sessions and its flagship education program, Words & Music, to Instagram Live.

guitar

On Tuesday evenings, the museum will stream new Songwriter Sessions. On Thursday afternoons, the museum will host Words & Music, which provides insights for aspiring songwriters of all ages.

“Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” said Lisa Purcell, the museum’s senior vice president, education, development and community engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular songwriting programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.”

Starting Tues., Apr.14, the museum will host weekly Songwriter Sessions, in which audiences interact with the talents behind country music’s biggest hits. Viewers will be encouraged to pose questions via Instagram. The Songwriter Sessions, presented by SunTrust, will start at 8 p.m. CT. Abi Tapia, the museum’s director of public programs, will host. The artists will perform while sheltered in place. The initial lineup is below.

April 14         

Laura Veltz, whose compositions include “Bones” (Maren Morris), “Speechless” (Dan + Shay) and “What If I Never Get Over You” (Lady Antebellum).

April 21         

Luke Laird, whose compositions include “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney) and “Space Cowboy” (Kacey Musgraves).

April 28         

Caitlyn Smith, whose compositions include “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend), “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Country Music Hall of Fame members Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) and her own single “Long Time Coming.”

May 5 

Eric Paslay, whose compositions include “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band) and his own hit “Friday Night.”

May 12           

Brandy Clark, whose compositions include her singles “Bigger Boat,” which features Randy Newman, “Hold My Hand” and “Who You Thought I Was.”

May 19

Charlie Worsham, whose compositions include “Love You To The Moon” (Kip Moore) and his own singles “Mississippi In July” and “Old Time’s Sake.”

Words & Music at Home, an extension of the education program Words & Music, begins at 2 p.m. CT Thurs., Apr. 16. Singer, songwriter and Sony/RCA recording artist Tenille Townes will perform and participate in a conversation about songwriting with host Adam Ollendorff, the museum’s outreach and music programs manager.

As with the original Words & Music, Words & Music at Home provides a variety of resources that offer insights into writing lyrics. The virtual program, for aspiring songwriters of all ages, includes:

Viewers can visit the museum’s website for more information and are encouraged to share their lyrics and completed songs on social media, using #WordsandMusicatHome.

In addition to these new Instagram Live programs, country music fans can explore past museum programs on our website, where they can hear interviews, great music and insightful commentary.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: negativespace via Pexels

RELATED STORIES

Some Restaurant Chains Announcing Free Delivery Amid Dining Room Closures

Yoga and Exercise Videos That Will Get Your Kids on Their Feet

Travel Plans Cancelled? Take a Virtual Vacation