Reviews

The Little Things: A Story about Acts of Kindness by Christian Trimmer

antlersantlers's review

4.0

This story is very sweet, but the real star of the show is the illustrations. Kaylani Juanita is so phenomenally talented. ALSO there are two disabled characters who interact with one another! There is a man (not an old man either!) who uses a cane (!!) and does story time (!!!). His cane looks like a goose which is so flippin cool and I want it.

fell4's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Adorable book. I'm planning on reading it to a group of kids to teach them about kindness. 

annsantori's review

5.0

Welp, I started crying two pages in, so obviously it's wonderful.

jodil's review

5.0

After a budding environmentalist schools an old man about the individual impact that stems from small acts of kindness, a ripple effect inspires a young child to help an elderly neighbor, an edgy teen makes lunch for an unhoused neighbor, and a fashionable actor to volunteer his time. I loved this book, I loved the illustrations (the characterizations are amazing), I loved that the edgy teen is also classy, and I loved the young girl's determination and style!

mutuallyinclusive's review

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This wonderful picture book follows several characters, starting with a young black girl (with three gorgeous teal pigtails) who finds tons of starfish have washed ashore after a storm. As she spends her afternoon putting starfish back in the water, a man approaches her to ask her why she bothers — she won’t be able to save all the starfish. The girl acknowledges she won’t be able to save them all, but that she can make a difference for each starfish she saves. This message sticks with the man and inspires him to perform his own act of kindness. He shares the message with his grandson, who spreads it to the next person, and so on and so forth, spreading the message of kindness throughout the community, sparking a larger change in their town.

I loved the illustrations by Kaylani Juanita, who happens to be one of my very favorite illustrators. Fans of When Aiden Became A Brother and Magnificent Homespun Brown will be delighted to see that Kaylani’s character design is as strong as ever. I loved the diversity of the characters in this book, and you can clearly tell how much thought went into each individual.

The Little Things promotes a message of kindness and community action that is incredibly relevant today for readers young and old.

I absolutely adored this book, and it inspired me to write a list of little things we can all do to help the AAPI, Black, and trans communities in the wake of these issues. I have shared it on my blog (link below)for everyone who wants to try some little things that can make a big difference.

Christian Trimmer is an author and editor based in Hillsdale, New York. To learn more about him and his work, please visit his website at christiantrimmer.com.

Kaylani Juanita is an illustrator of inclusive picture books based in Fairfield, California. Please visit her website at kaylanijuanita.com to learn more about her and her work.

Thanks again to Abrams Books For Young Readers for proving me with another amazing book to review. The Little Things was just what I needed to put one foot in front of the other this week, and I hope it helps you and yours spread love and kindness through your community too. Together we can do big things.

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