A Flood of Kindness
What’s inside...
Perfect for all children experiencing loss or grief, A Flood of Kindness gracefully confronts difficult feelings and celebrates the healing power of kindness. 'The night the river jumped its banks, everything changed.' So begins A Flood of Kindness, a poignant picture book that addresses grief and loss and demonstrates how kindness can bring hope. Written in spare prose and told from an intimate first-person point of view, the story follows Charlotte, a young girl who watches floodwaters rise in her home and is forced to evacuate to a shelter with her parents. Kind people she doesn't know give her food, socks and shoes to keep her feet warm, and a place to sleep. As Charlotte adjusts to the shelter—a strange, crowded place that is not home—she grapples with feelings of anger and sadness. But as the days go by, Charlotte starts to realize how grateful she is for the things that she does have—her parents, a cot to sleep on, food to eat—and starts looking for ways to help others in the shelter. All children deal with sadness and loss in some way, whether it stems from a natural disaster, the death of a pet, or moving to a new place. A Flood of Kindness acknowledges those difficult feelings and helps readers process them in a healthy way. Children will be encouraged to be kind to those who need a friend and to help others in whatever way they can, no matter how small.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Charlotte felt when she lost everything in the flood?
Why is kindness important, especially during tough times?
How did the acts of kindness in the story make you feel?
Can you think of a time when someone was kind to you? How did that make you feel?
What are some ways you can show kindness to others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion by sharing a personal story about a time you experienced kindness.
While discussing Charlotte’s feelings, encourage your child to express their emotions and relate to their own experiences.
Highlight the positive outcomes from acts of kindness in the book, and discuss how a small act can make a big difference.
Ask your child to draw a picture or write a story about a time they showed kindness or received kindness from someone else.
Praise your child for thoughtful responses and empathy towards the characters' experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Charlotte, experiences a flood that takes away everything she owns, and through her journey, children learn about understanding and empathizing with others who face difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being compassionate and supportive to friends and classmates who may be going through tough times, helping them feel seen and heard.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: After the flood, Charlotte struggles with her emotions but gradually learns to cope and adapt to her new circumstances. This narrative demonstrates the power of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to stay strong and keep moving forward, even when they face challenges or setbacks in their own lives, such as starting a new school or dealing with a family move.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Community Support
Explanation: As the community comes together to help those affected by the flood, the story highlights how collective efforts can aid in recovery and bring people closer.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value community by participating in group activities and initiatives that aim to help others, whether it’s a school food drive or a neighborhood clean-up.
Example Lesson: Expressing Feelings
Explanation: Charlotte's journey in the story includes moments where she expresses her sadness and frustration, teaching children about the importance of expressing emotions rather than bottling them up.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it’s healthy to talk about their feelings with parents, teachers, or friends, and that expressing emotions is a step towards healing and understanding.