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ValueTales Series
The Value of Kindness: The Story of Elizabeth Fry
Discusses the work of the English woman whose pioneering efforts in improving the lot of prisoners were based on the premise that prisoners' behaviour would improve if they were treated more kindly.
62 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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About the author
Spencer Johnson
122 books2,363 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Patrick Spencer Johnson was an American writer. He was known for the ValueTales series of children's books, and for his 1998 self-help book Who Moved My Cheese?, which recurred on the New York Times Bestseller list, on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover nonfiction list. Johnson was the chairman of Spencer Johnson Partners.
Patrick Spencer Johnson was an American writer. He was known for the ValueTales series of children's books, and for his 1998 self-help book Who Moved My Cheese?, which recurred on the New York Times Bestseller list, on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover nonfiction list. Johnson was the chairman of Spencer Johnson Partners.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 7, 2013
We had this series when I was younger, I'm trying to remember them all. Who knows others?
June 8, 2013
I loved this series as a kid. I kept taking this book and the tale of Nellie Bly out of the local library. What I loved then was the tales of unlikely heroes. What interests me now is the concept of using real life heroes to teach values and questioning the ideas presented by the world.
May 14, 2014
You will never teach people to be good by being bad to them!
August 17, 2008
The books in this series are being reprinted. They are a fun way to introduce biography to younger kids. Akos (almost 6) very much enjoyed the ones we read. Very old fashioned though, but still good!
February 14, 2014
Read to Kiah.
October 31, 2018
We read this as part of our focus on kindness. It is a great story of Elizabeth Fry's compassion and kindness to others.
June 28, 2022
The Value of Kindness: The Story of Elizabeth Fry (ValueTale Series) by Spencer Johnson, Illustrator -
Steve Pileggi- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Elizabeth Fry, an English Quacker woman (1790-1848) who was informed that condition of male and female prisoners was bad in New Gate Prison. They had no food, clothes, no access to schools, no access to learn work which could get them money & no medicine for their ailments. The was no arrangement for Christian education. Argument of the people was that rude behaviour of prisoners towards society cannot improve. She discussed the issue with her friends that they could visit the woman Quarter of the New Gate prison with food, clothes, medicine, Bible and meet them. Her friends disagreed. With two baskets of food, clothes and Bible, she went alone to the New Gate Prison. All guards of the prison are called Turn Key because they turn the key in the locked gate to open the gate. The Guard initially resisted but allowed her to enter the prison alone. Elizabeth saw that the condition of women and children was pathetic. It was winter. The children did not have clothes to wear and food to eat. They all were fighting with one another. First Elizabeth gave clothes of a naked child to wear. Now, the woman inmates were ready to talk to her. She gave them food and clothes and recited the Bible to them. She enquired what she can do for their betterment. They replied – (1) books for children, pencil, note book, (2) teach us sewing so that they can prepare quilts and other daily use garments which can be sold in the market for their income. Elizabeth informed about the success of her visit to her friends who were prepared to visit the prison with her with the required food, clothes, books, pencils, needles and cloth for stitching clothes and winter quilts. They read the Bible to them. Elizabeth’s premise was that if we treat the prisoners kindly, they will behave well with us. They passed the message to all that “God loves all prison mates.” She helped to establish two schools, help the sick and needy. She advocated free education for children and abolition of death penalty. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.
Steve Pileggi- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of Elizabeth Fry, an English Quacker woman (1790-1848) who was informed that condition of male and female prisoners was bad in New Gate Prison. They had no food, clothes, no access to schools, no access to learn work which could get them money & no medicine for their ailments. The was no arrangement for Christian education. Argument of the people was that rude behaviour of prisoners towards society cannot improve. She discussed the issue with her friends that they could visit the woman Quarter of the New Gate prison with food, clothes, medicine, Bible and meet them. Her friends disagreed. With two baskets of food, clothes and Bible, she went alone to the New Gate Prison. All guards of the prison are called Turn Key because they turn the key in the locked gate to open the gate. The Guard initially resisted but allowed her to enter the prison alone. Elizabeth saw that the condition of women and children was pathetic. It was winter. The children did not have clothes to wear and food to eat. They all were fighting with one another. First Elizabeth gave clothes of a naked child to wear. Now, the woman inmates were ready to talk to her. She gave them food and clothes and recited the Bible to them. She enquired what she can do for their betterment. They replied – (1) books for children, pencil, note book, (2) teach us sewing so that they can prepare quilts and other daily use garments which can be sold in the market for their income. Elizabeth informed about the success of her visit to her friends who were prepared to visit the prison with her with the required food, clothes, books, pencils, needles and cloth for stitching clothes and winter quilts. They read the Bible to them. Elizabeth’s premise was that if we treat the prisoners kindly, they will behave well with us. They passed the message to all that “God loves all prison mates.” She helped to establish two schools, help the sick and needy. She advocated free education for children and abolition of death penalty. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.
July 16, 2024
How thankful we all are that Elizabeth Fry cared enough about others, cared enough about society that she set up schools in prisons. The world is still influenced for the better by her courage, foresight and love!
Zander, my 9-year-old, has fallen in love with the series and would rather me read him these biographies than other fun books that we get from the library. Thank you Spencer Johnson and Ann Donegan Johnson for creating such an amazing series!
Zander, my 9-year-old, has fallen in love with the series and would rather me read him these biographies than other fun books that we get from the library. Thank you Spencer Johnson and Ann Donegan Johnson for creating such an amazing series!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews