NEIGHBORLY ACTS OF KINDNESS

A second grade boy and his family become friends with an older neighbor in this picture book.

When Austin and his mother are on a walk one fall day, they discover a small fire burning in a female neighbor’s yard. Austin’s mom calls the fire department and knocks on the woman’s door. It is a strange way to meet the neighbor, but Miss Del brings water so that Austin’s mom can stop the blaze from spreading. Once everyone is safe, Austin thinks about how lonely it must be for Miss Del to live alone. He and his brother embark on a mission to visit her and assist her with chores that are difficult. In this series opener, Pineda presents a scenario that emphasizes both kindness to an older neighbor and safety for a family. The boys never go into Miss Del’s house; their mom always knows where they are; and she also reaches out to the neighbor with offers of help. While the pages are text-dense, the author uses simple sentences and an accessible vocabulary for independent readers, with a few descriptive gems sprinkled throughout: “Austin noticed she had deep lines around her mouth and cheeks, as if she was smiling all the time.” Stewart’s vivid watercolor illustrations are geometrically inspired, and her stylistic choices suggest apt details without burdening the pages. The sympathetic characters are depicted with different skin colors.

A strong tale that encourages young readers to look for opportunities for kindness.