Tomorrow is the book birthday
For the beautiful and inspiring book below
If you are looking for a book to inspire young activists
Then this is the one
This and its predecessor
Buy them
Read them
Be inspired
And be the change we all so desperately need
“ONE…
One tree can start a forest;
One smile can begin a friendship;
One hand can lift a soul;
One word can frame the goal;
One candle can wipe out darkness;
One laugh can conquer gloom;
One hope can raise your spirits;
One touch can show you care;
One life can make the difference.
Be that one today.”
BJ Gallagher
Do Something For Someone Else by the lovely Loll Kirby and illustrated by Yas Imamura has helped me explain something to my children that I have been trying to tell them for ages. It has given us all the inspiration & motivation that we needed to be part of the change our world so desperately needs. Sometimes the problems in society just seem too big for any one human to begin to tackle alone but we can get involved, we can play our part and we can make a difference. We can do something for someone else & we can do it today and it will make a difference for that someone. Imagine if we all did that?
This amazing book shows children and their grown ups that we can use our talents, our passions, our strengths, our hobbies to help others.
In this book we meet 12 children who are already spreading kindness using their interests & talents. The children at Sant Jordi primary school in Spain have helped older people feel less lonely by working with them to look after an orchard. Havana from the USA is passionate about children being able to see themselves in books. She started a campaign to give out books to black children featuring black characters. She campaigns for equal rights & opportunities for all children. Marie-Astrid is working hard to encourage the next generation of black ballet dancers. Katie Stagliano is growing healthy foods to end hunger. Christophe and Reece are using their passion for swimming to raise awareness of mental health issues.
The book is wonderfully designed. Telling the story of the children’s ideas and campaigns & explaining why they are important, why they are needed. Loll’s passion shines through her writing as does her admiration for the children whose stories she tells.
Since receiving & reading this book my own children have started their own small acts of kindness.
We have donated books and toys to a local preschool, put on a Zoom show for Nanny on her birthday, given away trikes, bikes and garden toys, made gifts for families and friends and we have lots more ideas to do things for others to make them smile and to play our small part in making the world a better place.
One of my favourite ever quotes is
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
I think it is the perfect quote for this wonderful inspiring book.
Do Something For Someone Else is published tomorrow. It is a wonderful book for young activists with a how to help section that inspires young readers to take action at home and at school.
What will you do for someone else today?