The Story of the Kindness Elves Review & Craft
We’ve got kindness on the brain over here, because we’re busy preparing for National Random Acts of Kindness Day. In an incredible moment of serendipity, a copy of The Story of the Kindness Elves arrived at my home for review, just as I was starting to think about my random acts of kindness posts. The book, from authors Anna Ranson and Benjamin Byrne and illustrator Naomi Berry, is a magical tale of mystical little folks that encourage regular acts of kindness and compassion from it’s readers. The Kindness Elves are adorable creatures that live in the clouds, watching the happenings of the world below them as they paint rainbows in the sky.
Disclosure: Although I received a free copy of the book for review, all opinions are my own.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post (at no additional cost to you), which allows me to continue providing free content on the blog.
Immediately after unwrapping the book, I was first struck by just how sweet and whimsical the illustrative style of the book is. The elves are charming and innocent, and the loose watercolor images throughout the book are bright and colorful enough to engage young listeners during read-a-louds. There’s a bit of a ‘peek-inside’ sort of feeling at points, when the readers are able to peer into the magical world and homes the elves inhabit on the clouds. Readers who love small world and dramatic play will enjoy the illustrations that have an almost dollhouse-like feel at some points, and additionally will likely be enthralled with the houses included with the purchase of a Kindness Elves set. [Seriously, check it out! How adorable is this magical little house?! Not to mention the elves…]
The text is meatier than many average picture books, with a true storyline and multiple suggestions of acts of kindness woven throughout the book. The font is clear, and sized perfectly for newly independent readers looking for something a bit more substantial than early leveled readers. Children can watch as Camelia, William, and the Kindness Elves take on age appropriate gestures of compassion, which will help empower young readers to feel capable of doing the same in their own daily lives. Together the children, inspired by notes from the elves, make simple and actionable steps to spread goodness. They do this through a variety of way, such as playing a board game with an elderly friend and including a lonely child on the playground.
In a sort of ‘Elf On The Shelf gone good’ mentality, the Kindness Elves encourage compassion and kindness through a magical role in the family all year long, not just at Christmas time. Because parents can decide how often their elves have notes to deliver this a much less high pressure endeavor than the typical elf routine. (Which consequently means way less mom-guilt, which is something I am always a fan of!) The Kindness Elves communicate with Camelia and William via postcards. Families will have fun ‘tricking’ the little ones with their own versions of the notes. There’s even a small postcard with the recipe for kindness tucked into a little pocket within the book, furthering the experience of magic for the littles who are reading along.
As a result of the gorgeous illustrations that accompany this sweet story, I was inspired to create our own version of the elves’ magical world in the clouds. I know your family will have as much fun creating it as my family did.
Get Creative!
You will need:
1. Free printable.
2. Watercolor paints, paintbrushes, and water.
3. Mod Podge or other similar glue.
4. Glitter. (Bonus points for hearts and stars!)
We painted our free printable first and let it dry completely. We loosely based our color choices on those found within the book, but there’s no reason to limit yourself. Let your kids paint their cloud worlds in whatever colors they imagine them to be. After the paint was dry, we spread a layer of Mod Podge over the ‘smoke’ from the house, and sprinkled it with glitter to add some extra magic to the scene. We are thrilled with how cute our picture turned out, and hope you will love making yours just as much!
The Kindness Elves book can be purchased here. While you’re there, be sure to check out the elves and other accessories that can make your reading experience truly come alive for your children. Also be sure to check out February’s Kind Words challenge, perfect if you want to do some good but aren’t sure where to start.
Don’t forget! Random Acts of Kindness Day is coming up on February 17th!
Check this out to read about how my family and I are making the day extra special.
More ideas for extension activities inspired by children’s literature can be found here.
Disclosure: Although I received a free copy of the book for review, all opinions are my own.
Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post (at no additional cost to you), which allows me to continue providing free content on the blog.
kirstinalyssa
This is absolutely adorable! Can’t wait to share with my nieces and nephews!
Kate
Thanks so much! It’s seriously the most adorable book.
Shaheen
I love this!…It’s beautiful!!!
Kate
Thanks Shaheen!
Stephanie Lowry
I love that you are spreading kindness! What an adorable book + craft!
Kate
Thanks Stephanie! Gotta spread kindness where ever I can!
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms
I love this! This looks like such an adorable way to introduce kids to the idea of random acts of kindness. The illustrations are so sweet and colorful too!
Kate
I love the cute little elves in this book, they’re so sweet! Thanks for checking it out!
Emily
This book looks so sweet! And bless you for being brave and patient enough to use watercolor paints with your children.
Kate
Thanks Emily! Watercolors really aren’t too bad at our house… It’s when I pull out the permanent markers that I really start to get nervous!
Dearlyndsey
This is so cute. I love how you can read while they do art to go with it.
Kate
Thanks! It’s a great way to help bring what the kids have read to life for them.
Brittany Ferrell
I love this! This would be so perfect for the elementary classroom to build your class norms and establish your community. It looks like there are so many great talking points to discuss how we can all be a little more kind.
Kate
Thanks so much, Brittany! It would be perfect in the class room, especially since writing your own postcards could be another great extension activity, which would encourage independent writing among slightly older kids.
Brittany Ferrell
That is a GREAT idea!
Kate
Thank you!
Nostalgia Seekers
I just love those illustrations! So sweet!
Kate
They are so adorable! Thanks for checking it out!
itsahero
What a cute and creative book!
Kate
It really is such a darling book! Thanks!
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Five for the Road
I need to come to your house and borrow some books!! I am loving this! If I had a word of the year it would be kindness. I am trying to focus it within myself and my family.
Kate
Hahaha, come on over and borrow whatever you’d like!
Meredith from Mommy in Leggings
This book sounds super amazing! This is exactly the kind of book I want to buy my daughter as she grows up!!
Kate
It’s gorgeous to look through, and has such a great lesson for kids. Thanks so much, Meredith!
projectlifewellness
Wow the illustrations of this book alone are enough to make it want it! I love these types of stories that teach a life lesson to our children!
Kate
The illustrations are so colorful, they’re just beautiful and really bring the book to life. Thank you for checking out the post!
Tabitha Shakespeare
I LOVE this idea! The Elf on the Shelf has always given me the heebie jeebies but this is the cutest thing ever!
Kate
Oh, I know so many people who are creeped out by the Elf on the Shelf! These elves are so stinking cute though!
Danielle
I’ve heard great things about this story! That printable is awesome too! Thanks so much! 🙂
Kate
Thanks so much, Danielle, I had a lot of fun creating the printable!
onepeainthepod
How cute! I love watercolors!
Kate
Us too!
Kathy
This book looks wonderful. Perfect for young readers. I love the follow-up activities too!
Kate
Thanks so much, Kathy.
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