KINDNESS IS MY SUPERPOWER

A young boy confronts a bully and learns the power of kindness.

Benny, a young boy with dark curly hair and a light brown complexion, is enjoying recess when he sees a kid named Sam bullying Benny’s friend Mia. He feels “his tummy twist and turn” and remembers what his teacher, Ms. Rose, has told them: “If you see someone being bullied, be a buddy, not a bystander.” Benny invites Sam “in a friendly voice” to play. Sam reflects on Benny’s words before apologizing to Mia, and the trio runs off and happily spends the rest of recess together. After the story’s conclusion, a sheet of paper with crayons strewn about shows a “hand-drawn” list of advice for dealing with bullies, such as confiding in a trusted adult. Father-and-daughter co-authors Lamar and Liana Golden also include a section for readers to come up with their own ways of dealing with similar situations. Cluer’s illustrations feature vivid colors with minimal shading, as well as diverse skin colors in each of its three characters (Benny appears Latino; Mia is white, and Sam is Black). The authors present thoughtful questions about bullying that are clearly geared toward a very young audience—those searching for solutions to more complex bullying will need to look elsewhere. Whimsical pictures (complete with giant sunflower slides and trampoline flowers) and a straightforward lesson ultimately make for a simple yet uplifting read.

A short, sweet tale that models positive problem-solving skills for very young readers.