At 21 months old now my daughter is starting to recognise the concept of numbers and counting – although she might not always get the numbers in the right order yet! She has definitely started to understand that there are some books all about counting though, and she often picks them out and I see her jabbing items in the pictures with her finger, whilst counting out loud. Kindness Counts 123 is a beautiful example of such a counting book.
Counting down from 10 on each double page, Kindness Counts 123 is full of examples of how children can make the world a kinder place. The delightful illustrations show children helping each other and being compassionate towards how others might be feeling. Learning skills like kindness and empathy are so important and it is wonderful for children to see these as early as possible.
I’m also pleased to say that Kindness 123 is also a very diverse book in terms of the people featured in all the pictures throughout. There is also a lovely flow though them of the child who has received kindness in one picture, being the one who is performing an act of kindness in the next.
The acts of kindness may be relatively simple, but then the best acts of kindness often are. Taking cookies round to a new neighbour, sharing your toys or reading a bedtime story to your brothers. It really does show that you can demonstrate kindness with small acts. I’m guessing it also wasn’t deliberate, but the act of “three short words for Grandma and Grandpa so they don’t feel so far away” was also incredibly poignant during lockdown.
For my daughter though being pushed high on a swing had to be her favourite page. Every time we turn to that page there is utter delight in her voice as she shouts “swing, swing!”
Kindness Counts 123 is published by Highlights and has a RRP of £12.99. It is aimed at children aged 2 to 5 years. ISBN 9781684376520. It is available to buy online *here.
Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of Kindness Counts 123 for the purposes of this review. All opinions remain my own. Any links marked * are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through them I receive a small a mount of commission whilst it costs you no more than if you had gone to the site yourself to make a purchase. Many thanks for all purchases that you make. It is very much appreciated.
