The book Each Kindness is a heartfelt yet sad story. In the beginning a new student named Maya joins Chloe's class and Chloe is not happy about it. The first day Maya is there she turns and smiles at Chloe, but Chloe ignores her. Then at recess Chloe and her friends are sharing secrets when Maya comes up to them and asks them if they wanted to play, but they decline the offer and gossip about Maya's clothes and how ugly she is. Each day Maya smiles at Chloe and asks her to play, and each day Chloe and her friends say no, then whisper about Maya. One day Maya shows up to school wearing a beautiful dress and pretty shoes, but they looked used. That day Maya doesn't smile at anyone or ask to play with anyone. At recess she just takes out a jump rope and all she does is jump... jump... jump. The next day Maya doesn't come to school. She doesn't come the next day either. Or the next day. Then Chloe's teacher announces that Maya won't be coming back. It is then that Chloe realizes all the things she should of said to Maya, but she knows Maya will never come back.
I think that the author of Each Kindness, Jacqueline Woodson, used the characters of Chloe and Maya to portray something that happens everyday in schools across the world; bullying. It's a big problem internationally, but we are working together to make a difference. Usually when we get new students in my class everyone takes them under their wing and shows them the ropes. I don't exactly understand why Chloe didn't do that with Maya, but I know that Chloe is still a good person. I believe that everyone is a good person in the bottom of their heart and that there no such thing as a bully, only bullying.
I would recommend this book for the ages 8 plus because it is more of a mature picture book. I would say that the theme of Each Kindness is Self Control because of how Chloe was acting towards Maya. Chloe and her friends should of had self control by making Maya feel welcome and being nice to her. Chloe and her friends should have followed the golden rule; treat people how you want to be treated.
Here is some additional media information about Each Kindness:
This is a picture of the cover of Each Kindness
This is a picture of Chloe's schools"s principal introducing Maya to her new class. Notice how Maya's clothes look used, old, and tattered.
Here Maya is trying to share her game with Chloe and her friends.
CLICK HERE to watch a video of some second graders discussing Each Kindness.
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