RAISE ME WITH EMPATHY
A Must Read Love Letter from a Child to Their Parents
by Amen Kaur ; illustrated by Haley Moss
Children learn how to care about others from their parents in Kaur’s picture book.
A young narrator explains how kids glean kindness, compassion, respect, and more from mothers and fathers: “When you take a mindful moment to relax…you teach me to care for my mind too, not just my body.” The narration notes how children are inspired when a parent has specific goals and how it’s important for children to see adults treat others with respect, as when a dad helps an older person cross the street. It also emphasizes the significance of seeing parents make mistakes and express emotions (“When I watch you cry, I can see, feelings are a human way to be”). Ultimately, the book asserts that the older and younger people can learn much from each other. Kaur, in loose, rhyming verses, uses relatable examples and thoughtful language to illuminate the effects of actions and behaviors. The book includes various ways that parents can cultivate awareness and thus would be an excellent pick for a family read-aloud. Moss’ vibrant color illustrations depict diverse, emotive adults and kids, including a woman cradling a baby while working on a computer. The text appears on textured pastel backgrounds accentuated with simple lotus flowers.
A lovely work that will prompt discussion between generations.