"Elegy plus comedy is the only way to express how we live in the world today, says a character in Sigrid Nunez's ninth novel. The Vulnerables offers a meditation on our contemporary era, as a solitary female narrator asks what it means to be alive at this complex moment in history and considers how our present reality affects the way a person looks back on her past. Humor, to be sure, is a priceless refuge. Equally vital is connection with others,...

A slug gets a hug, and passes along the kindness to other animals.

A young boy transforms his neighborhood by performing one good deed for his neighbor, which leads to a chain of kind and helpful actions.

Leo, a quiet kid who is not ready for his first day of kindergarten, ends up having a great day when he makes a kindness pledge and discovers he knows a lot about being kind to others.

"An encounter between a brown mermaid and pirate launches a humorous tale of friendship that shows how kindness and empathy go beyond words."--

"This beautiful picture book looks at how the simple act of being kind, to others and oneself, affects all aspects of a child's life."--

"A new day at the farm! The chickens are laying eggs. The cows are giving milk. And Chick? Chick can do something very special. Hug! Follow along as Chick brightens all the animals' day with a hug. It is a sweet reminder about making time to just be present for each other and doing little things to spread kindness."--Back cover.

When mean and angry Judd, who has never known kindness, takes to drinking and mistreats his dogs, Marty discovers how deep a hurt can go and how long it takes to heal.

On her way home from school Mary picks some blueberries for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, and starts a chain reaction of kindness that multiplies around the world.

When a little girl compliments her teacher about the buttons on her outfit, it starts a chain reaction of goodwill, good deeds, and thoughtfulness throughout the day.