One Good Deed

by Terri Fields, Deborah Melmon (Illustrator)

In this version of 'paying it forward,' one good deed leads to another as people in a multicultural neighborhood, including a Jewish family, change the life of the community.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Epic, Fiction, Storytime

24 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake's one act of kindness causes a series of kind acts to change the very climate of Lancaster Street, the street where he lives. I really liked how his decision to share a basket of fruit with an elderly neighbor leads others to act in kind ways. What's even cooler is that he has no idea how much impact that one action has. The bright, sunny illustrations fit perfectly the notion of doing a mitzvah, a good deed just because it's the kind thing to do.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Good Deed is a children's picture book written by Terri Fields and illustrated by Deborah Melmon, which tells a story about a transformation of a quiet unfriendly neighborhood to one overflowing with generosity and kindness all because of one good deed, which leads to a pay-it-forward chain reaction that irrevocably changed the neighborhood.

Fields' text is simplistic and straightforward, yet captures the innocence of doing a good deed for no reason at all – except that it’s a nice thing to do. I like that the neighborhood is diverse with different ages and ethnicities represented. Melmon's illustrations are beautifully rendered and wonderfully done and captures the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather simple – it's about doing good deeds or mitzvahs and how it could change not just a person, but a neighborhood, and perhaps even the world. It also demonstrates that the catalyst of change doesn't have to be a big or grandiose thing. In this case, it was because of a boy named Jake willing to share his mulberries he collected from his tree in his backyard with his elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson.

All in all, One Good Deed is a wonderful children's book about mitzvahs or doing good deeds and how it can change a world, by just paying-it-forward.

[Annica Duffner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teaches a good lesson. Would be good with a reader response activity

[Jessica Maddox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great moral. Story is well told and illustrated for children to understandwhat "one good deed" can do.

[Hannah Kalberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Christopher Award winner tells the story of a domino effect of 'paying it forward'. Each character does one good deed for another, then that receiver becomes the giver, and so on. The diversity, message, and heartwarming quotes from this book make it a great one for young kids. I would recommend this for any child to emphasize the idea that doing one thing can lead to a bunch of other things, along with the nice idea of paying it forward! It has the possibility of changing other people's worlds.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Good Deed is a book on kindness. Similar to the book How Kind!, it illustrates how one act of kindness spreads because it makes the receiver feel good and loved. This usually inspires the person to do a good turn for another. I also loved how it did rerecap at the end for who did what and how it started. The illustrations are cozy and create a sense of warmth and love:

[Josh Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a clear message that is very easy to understand for pretty much any age. The book tells of a boy who did one good deed that led to all of his neighbors doing good deeds for each other. The boy did one small thing that made his neighborhood change for the better. This story inspires children to do good deeds for people without expecting any compensation.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story about the acts of kindness that one can do for others. I think the kiddos at the library will enjoy this book for story time. Trying to teach my little readers that kindness matters!

[Cheryl Ann Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

One good deed

One good deed + one good deed can ripple through our world. Be kind.
* Used this story for my classroom theme on kindness *

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, here's to lovely, caring thoughts that neighbors have never thought before, thoughts from people who live on Lancaster Street, which used to be dark and gloomy.

Here's to:

* Thoughts of kindness and giving
* Thoughts that become real-life actions, which speak so much louder than words.

In End Matter, After this Inspiring Story

Readers learn how, in Judaism, it is a commandment to do a Mitzvah.

I'd add:
Each of us can help each other regardless of our religion
Including if we have no official religion at all.

* Thank you, Terri Fields, for this beautifully written picture book. I see from the end matter that you're an award-winning teacher as well as a superb picture book writer.

* Thank you, artist Deborah Melmon. How I appreciate the pure simplicity of your illustrations, so warm and refreshingly un-cutesy.

[Sarah Bunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This book is about a little boy who lives in a neighborhood where nobody smiles. He performs a good deed by smiling at his neighbors, and it completely changes the dynamic of his neighborhood.

Personal Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. The illustration helped tell the story really well. The lesson about the power of a good deed is powerful.

In the classroom: I would use this to teach my students about the power of doing acts of kindness. I would create a kindness wall where students would write nice comments and stick them on the wall.

[Ashley Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story for kids teaching them to pay it forward and think of others. We got this book since the author is coming to our school! My students were giggling because there’s an Ashley in the story like me!

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about how good deeds snowball.

[Candis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really sweet book and it had a happy ending. I really liked it! ( by G )

[Brandon Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Culture/Fiction
Ages:3-8
Level M
This story follows that of a young Jewish family living in a multicultural neighborhood. It's a really cute family story.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a supper super book

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, simple story to help young children see the impact of good deeds.

[Audrey Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A variety of people are depicted in this story, which I found pleasantly surprising.

It’s a very non-religious, heartwarming way to introduce the Jewish commandment to do a mitzvah.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

[Ms. Jeane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book all about kindness and how it trickles down. It all starts with one act and then that kind act influences another and another, etc.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with Kindergarten. It will be great for K-3/4. I feel it could be simultaneously used with the bucket-filling books. The kids didn't know what a "good deed" was but when I asked them after reading it they were able to figure it out. It has repetition, but not annoying repetition.

[Alyssa Muzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book involves actions that lead into good deed's to people in a multicultural neighborhood and changing the life of the community. This book teaches readers one act of kindness can change a lot and is portrayed throughout this entire book.

[Stephanie]

Kindness never gets tired or old. Simple just pass it on.

[Serina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pay it forward in the neighborhood. It's okay and a good thing to teach kids.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little repetitive, but wonderful message. Good for teaching cause/effect and talking to kids about the power of kindness.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

that it was always so

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake does a mitzvah for a neighbor and it is paid forward many times.

[Ashley Wesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this picture book about a boy's good deed. Jake does something kind for his neighbor, and that turns the whole community into a place of good deeds. You don't have to be of the Jewish faith to appreciate a story about a mitzvah. Good deeds are a wonderful thing, and this book has a beautiful message to teach everyone!

[Dolly]

This book was selected as one of the books for the February 2018 - Kindness and Generosity discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Sarah Schill]

Genre: Realistic Fiction
This story sends a very positive message to students to go out of their way and do a good deed for someone. It would be a great book to discuss chain reaction.