LITTLE BOOK OF CARING

Evidence that the best advice is the simple, straightforward variety, modeled by a caring pig.

“It’s easy to show you care….” In this uncredited translation from Dutch, small acts of ordinary kindness have their moment to shine in the sun. A line-drawn piggy in a sharp yellow sweater embodies this sound advice. Whether it’s tidying up at the end of the day, listening to others, or even looking after a sick friend, such recommendations go down a bit smoother when accompanied by cheerful, occasionally meditative images. Some admonishments fall into the realm of platitudes (“Care for the little things…and they’ll grow big”). Others (“Practice self-care,” accompanying our piggy protagonist looking particularly disheveled) come as pleasant surprises. Though in some cases the advice is strong, the images go in questionable directions (“Think of someone else’s feelings” is followed by an image of the pig dumping a goldfish into a fountain; “Say I’m sorry” is paired with an illustration of the pig kissing the foot of a turtle they trod on while in a hurry). Yet there’s no denying the tone’s ineffable quality, charming even as it instructs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, and this piggy makes these words of wisdom worth returning to.