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The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts
One small act of kindness can change the world. From esteemed bullying expert and author of The Invisible Boy , Trudy Ludwig and Little Elliot illustrator Mike Curato comes a tale as simple--and simply inspiring--as the golden rule.
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community. One kind act begets another, small good deeds make way for bigger ones, and eventually the whole neighborhood comes together to build something much greater than the sum of its parts.
From acclaimed bullying expert Trudy Ludwig, The Power of One not only conveys a message of kindness, it offers concrete steps that kids can take to make a difference in their own communities.
As Trudy says in the final line of the "Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE."
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community. One kind act begets another, small good deeds make way for bigger ones, and eventually the whole neighborhood comes together to build something much greater than the sum of its parts.
From acclaimed bullying expert Trudy Ludwig, The Power of One not only conveys a message of kindness, it offers concrete steps that kids can take to make a difference in their own communities.
As Trudy says in the final line of the "Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE."
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2020
5 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Trudy Ludwig
22 books121 followersTrudy Ludwig is a nationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author who specializes in writing children's books that help kids connect and engage with their peers in kind, caring ways. She has received rave reviews from educators, experts, organizations, and parents for her passion and compassion in addressing friendship, bullying, and cyberbullying issues at schools and conferences around the country.
An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy collaborates with leading US experts and organizations and has been profiled on national/regional media outlets. She has also served as content advisor for Sesame Workshop's "Good Birds Club" TV episode and as an expert panel member on Sesame Workshop's video series on bullying.
Trudy's books have won the Victoria Soto Legacy Award, NAPPA Gold Award, Mom's Choice Gold Awards, the Moonbeam Children's Books Gold Award and are included in Kids'Indie Next Selection,the Cooperative Children's Book Center's Best of the Year Selection,and NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People Selection. the Junior Library Guild Selection, the School Library Journal Best Picture Books Selection, and more.
For more information or to book Trudy for a speaking engagement, visit www.trudyludwig.com
An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy collaborates with leading US experts and organizations and has been profiled on national/regional media outlets. She has also served as content advisor for Sesame Workshop's "Good Birds Club" TV episode and as an expert panel member on Sesame Workshop's video series on bullying.
Trudy's books have won the Victoria Soto Legacy Award, NAPPA Gold Award, Mom's Choice Gold Awards, the Moonbeam Children's Books Gold Award and are included in Kids'Indie Next Selection,the Cooperative Children's Book Center's Best of the Year Selection,and NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People Selection. the Junior Library Guild Selection, the School Library Journal Best Picture Books Selection, and more.
For more information or to book Trudy for a speaking engagement, visit www.trudyludwig.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 18, 2022
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Some messages just need to be brought front and center at every opportunity.
The author and illustrator present just such a moment for me and mine today. We highly recommend!
Some messages just need to be brought front and center at every opportunity.
The author and illustrator present just such a moment for me and mine today. We highly recommend!
June 11, 2023
A young girl is the target of unkind words in this picture-book from author/artist team Trudy Ludwig and Mike Curato, and her resultant hurt and distress is seen by one of her peers, who offers comfort. This one act of kindness sets off a series of other acts, eventually leading to great things. A junkyard is cleaned up and made into a community garden; a group of friends grow, harvest and eat the bounty of this garden; and the young man whose actions sparked the initial distress, makes his sincere apology. In the end, the narrative demonstrates to us that one act can be very powerful indeed...
Having enjoyed other titles from both Ludwig and Curato - Ludwig's The Invisible Boy , Curato's Little Elliot series - I picked up The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts with some anticipation. Although I did not find it as emotionally involving as I had expected to do, given how terribly poignant The Invisible Boy was, I did appreciate the theme of the story, and the inclusion of the author's note at the rear, about building kindness in one's own community. Judged on narrative alone, this would have been a solid three stars - a worthy theme and a good message, but not brilliantly done. That said, the artwork from Curato is so gorgeous, that my reading pleasure was significantly increased. The lovely color palette, the beautifully expressive characters, the way the scenes move from grayish to more colorful, depending upon the emotional register - I really enjoyed these illustrations! Overall, a worthwhile read, one I would recommend to picture-book audiences looking for stories about kindness. It could be paired with Kerascoët's I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness , or Pat Zietlow Miller's Be Kind .
Having enjoyed other titles from both Ludwig and Curato - Ludwig's The Invisible Boy , Curato's Little Elliot series - I picked up The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts with some anticipation. Although I did not find it as emotionally involving as I had expected to do, given how terribly poignant The Invisible Boy was, I did appreciate the theme of the story, and the inclusion of the author's note at the rear, about building kindness in one's own community. Judged on narrative alone, this would have been a solid three stars - a worthy theme and a good message, but not brilliantly done. That said, the artwork from Curato is so gorgeous, that my reading pleasure was significantly increased. The lovely color palette, the beautifully expressive characters, the way the scenes move from grayish to more colorful, depending upon the emotional register - I really enjoyed these illustrations! Overall, a worthwhile read, one I would recommend to picture-book audiences looking for stories about kindness. It could be paired with Kerascoët's I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness , or Pat Zietlow Miller's Be Kind .
August 29, 2020
The Power of One is a simple book about small acts of kindness. All it takes is one person to create a change and start something wonderful. One person to show a little kindness, apologize, forgive, or cultivate something new.
The message of this one is simple, but needed now more than ever. As the author reminds us in the notes, humans are social beings and we need connection for our wellbeing. This book is a sweet reminder of that.
Quotable moment:
The message of this one is simple, but needed now more than ever. As the author reminds us in the notes, humans are social beings and we need connection for our wellbeing. This book is a sweet reminder of that.
Quotable moment:
October 29, 2020
This picture book with its lovely illustrations, created with pencil, colored pencil, gouache, watercolor, collage and digitally coloring, truly sums up my life philosophy and one I hope to pass down to my students. While there are those who say that words can't hurt someone, that is clearly not the case as demonstrated in this moving picture book. Cruel words are hurled by one boy at a female classmate. She is mortified and hurt by what he says while another girl looks on from the background. The words are not included in the text or the word balloon containing his comments, but readers can easily fill in the blanks with any insults that have hurt them in the past. While the girl curls in upon herself in anguish, the other girl reaches out to comfort and befriend her. Her kindness leads to others joining the two of them, and the boy who spoke so harshly even apologizes. While readers might think that one person can't make much difference in the world, that is wrong. One person can help someone heal, and one seed can sprout and blossom into a nourishing food or flower. This picture book with its tips for how to plant seeds of kindness, one by one, around us would be a good title to share on the first day of class. There is a list of books on kindness as well as suggested websites to check out for those who aren't sure how to begin. One person can make all the difference in the world, for good or for bad.
September 26, 2020
A truly lovely picture book about the way kindness can transform a community. Using the metaphor of growing a garden, Ludwig (The Invisible Boy) and Curato (Little Elliot) beautifully demonstrate how one seed of kindness can grow a bountiful feast.
January 20, 2021
LOVE this story!
July 15, 2024
Beautiful message and beautiful art.
I particularly loved the use of photography collage juxtaposed within some of art pages. Good contrast and they helped enhance the reality of the situation depicted simply by their authenticity.
Update, July 2024: I just purchased a copy and was able to get the illustrator Mike Curato to sign it. Wonderful.
I particularly loved the use of photography collage juxtaposed within some of art pages. Good contrast and they helped enhance the reality of the situation depicted simply by their authenticity.
Update, July 2024: I just purchased a copy and was able to get the illustrator Mike Curato to sign it. Wonderful.
March 19, 2021
Lovely and gentle, if a bit idealized. However, the emotional tone is important and the resources in back matter is very valuable.
September 25, 2021
Simple yet powerful, especially the illustration telling a story of it's own
October 22, 2020
Use for launching community work or action projects.
June 21, 2020
The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Mike Curato. PICTURE BOOK. Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9781524771584
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When someone is down, small acts of kindness turn into a neighborhood feast. It starts with a kind word and a planted seed and turns from that into a harvest that is cooked and served, joining others at a table in the shape of one.
I really want to love a book whose entire message is that one person can make a difference, but nothing about this book came together for me. I didn’t feel engaged or moved while reading it and it was always unclear how planting a seed was an act of kindness originally to the girl who was sad.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When someone is down, small acts of kindness turn into a neighborhood feast. It starts with a kind word and a planted seed and turns from that into a harvest that is cooked and served, joining others at a table in the shape of one.
I really want to love a book whose entire message is that one person can make a difference, but nothing about this book came together for me. I didn’t feel engaged or moved while reading it and it was always unclear how planting a seed was an act of kindness originally to the girl who was sad.
Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
September 17, 2020
A great one for teachers doing units on bullying, as this one focuses more on what everyone can do to help bring positivity rather than negativity to their school community. Lovely that it shows the kid who was yelling in the beginning coming around and apologizing. Great for building a healthy community of kids.
October 1, 2020
"Sometimes One can feel like a small and lonely number. But don't let this little number fool you. One is a lot bigger and more powerful than you think."
It may not seem like it at times, but one person can have a big impact on the world around them. And it can start with the smallest of gestures.
Includes an extensive bibliography of books and websites for additional reading.
It may not seem like it at times, but one person can have a big impact on the world around them. And it can start with the smallest of gestures.
Includes an extensive bibliography of books and websites for additional reading.
August 3, 2020
How to plant seeds of kindness.
November 2, 2020
Do you know Trudy Ludwig's books? You might remember that we LOVE her books Sorry! and The Invisible Boy. So, when Trudy Ludwig reached out to me to see if my family would like her newest book, The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts, you can bet I jumped on that offer!
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Before the title page even comes, we experience a young boy yelling something unknown at a girl, with a second girl (one in the middle of a crowd) watching in shock. Though we don't know exactly what she says, we watch the second girl cautiously approach the first and offer words of love (represented by a heart). And we read:
"Sometimes One can feel like a small and lonely number. But don't let this little number food you. One is a lot bigger and more powerful than you think."
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From there, we go on a journey, but literally and metaphorically, through various ways that One can make an impact. From one drop of rain starting a puddle, one flower blooming in a trashed, run-down park, and one apology to heal past hurts, we see both a beautiful park and a close-knit community grow. As the story closes with the community coming together for a feast in the bountiful garden, gathered around a table (conveniently) shaped like the number "1," Ludwig reminds us that "acts and words of kindness do count... And it all starts with One."
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While Ludwigs words are impactful, Curato's illustrations add deeper levels of meaning, reminding us of the various ways that One, be it a person, a plant, an idea, or a community, can positively impact the world around it. He's also illustrated the community to be inclusive and diverse. Parents and teachers, be sure to read Ludwig's note of "Planting Seeds of Kindness in Your Community" and share it with your children. Too often, we think we have to do something extraordinary to make a difference, but Ludwig reminds us that we all have the power to effect change. Ludwig also includes a list of recommended picture books and websites to help foster kindness, service, and love in children.
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If you liked this, you might also like: Speak Up The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed Good People Everywhere
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Before the title page even comes, we experience a young boy yelling something unknown at a girl, with a second girl (one in the middle of a crowd) watching in shock. Though we don't know exactly what she says, we watch the second girl cautiously approach the first and offer words of love (represented by a heart). And we read:
"Sometimes One can feel like a small and lonely number. But don't let this little number food you. One is a lot bigger and more powerful than you think."
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
From there, we go on a journey, but literally and metaphorically, through various ways that One can make an impact. From one drop of rain starting a puddle, one flower blooming in a trashed, run-down park, and one apology to heal past hurts, we see both a beautiful park and a close-knit community grow. As the story closes with the community coming together for a feast in the bountiful garden, gathered around a table (conveniently) shaped like the number "1," Ludwig reminds us that "acts and words of kindness do count... And it all starts with One."
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While Ludwigs words are impactful, Curato's illustrations add deeper levels of meaning, reminding us of the various ways that One, be it a person, a plant, an idea, or a community, can positively impact the world around it. He's also illustrated the community to be inclusive and diverse. Parents and teachers, be sure to read Ludwig's note of "Planting Seeds of Kindness in Your Community" and share it with your children. Too often, we think we have to do something extraordinary to make a difference, but Ludwig reminds us that we all have the power to effect change. Ludwig also includes a list of recommended picture books and websites to help foster kindness, service, and love in children.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you liked this, you might also like: Speak Up The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed Good People Everywhere
August 19, 2021
Picture book. This book strikes the rare balance of successfully imparting a social emotional learning message while also being very readable. The action starts before the title page where a young boy is shouting mean words at a young girl. Another girl watches from the crowd and slowly makes her way over to comfort the girl who is now crying. We are told about the power of one-- "one good listener can make even the smallest voice heard. One shy smile can lead to a friendship" and the illustrations show the two girls watching a seed sprout into a flower. Soon other members of the community come around the flower and clean up the space. The boy from the beginning makes an apology and the community turns the clean space into a garden.
This book works because the message does relate to the text, it's not overly abstract. The characters reappearing throughout lend a bit of a storyline, which again keeps it grounded. This is a book that young kids could understand and having meaningful discussions about. Generous back matter includes tips on planting kindness, recommended books and websites.
This book works because the message does relate to the text, it's not overly abstract. The characters reappearing throughout lend a bit of a storyline, which again keeps it grounded. This is a book that young kids could understand and having meaningful discussions about. Generous back matter includes tips on planting kindness, recommended books and websites.
August 1, 2021
The title tells you this book will have a message, which is usually a kiss of death for me--move right on. (If you read the author’s note at the end, she explains why this matters, but she isn't heavy-handed with this, especially in the story itself.) But this book surprised me because of its minimal text and evocative storyline, showing how kindness and attunement to another person can work wonders. I think she and her illustrator successfully achieved an emotionally compelling narrative that will ground young readers and fortify older ones. And the final illustration makes it a continuing story rather than tied off. The visual style had the opportunity to lean toward the cute, but thankfully avoided that temptation and mistake. And the choice and size of FF Meta Pro Regular in a slightly transparent gray for the text font hits the perfect resonance for the other elements.
April 7, 2021
This thought-provoking title plants the seeds for taking action in one’s community. With simple sentences and wordless pages, this title conveys the message that every act of kindness counts, or one person can make a difference in the world.
The end of the book contains a larger message to the reader(s) about acts of kindness that are simple and straightforward. Additionally, the author suggests other books and websites explore the idea of kindness. This title would be great for a Girl Scout daisy leader introducing her troop to take action projects.
The end of the book contains a larger message to the reader(s) about acts of kindness that are simple and straightforward. Additionally, the author suggests other books and websites explore the idea of kindness. This title would be great for a Girl Scout daisy leader introducing her troop to take action projects.
July 3, 2023
Well-written and illustrated children's books have the ability to explore deep ideas in a simple, yet beautiful manner.
I was in the library searching for picture books that could do this as a supplement for my communication class. My objective was to find books about listening skills, but I came across this one and had to check it out.
If you want a simple way to get people of any age to think about community engagement, this could be it. In a simple way, this book could lead to discussions and brainstorming sessions on how to get involved in improving our communities.
I was in the library searching for picture books that could do this as a supplement for my communication class. My objective was to find books about listening skills, but I came across this one and had to check it out.
If you want a simple way to get people of any age to think about community engagement, this could be it. In a simple way, this book could lead to discussions and brainstorming sessions on how to get involved in improving our communities.
December 11, 2020
Focusing on how simple acts like hugs, smiles, and sincere apologies from one person can make a big difference to another person and to a community, this beautifully illustrated book is perfect for a lesson on kindness and how one person can make a difference in someone else's life.
I used it with my self contained SpEd class, asking them afterwards what one thing they could do to show kindness to others.
I used it with my self contained SpEd class, asking them afterwards what one thing they could do to show kindness to others.
May 1, 2022
This book shows its readers that everyone can make a difference in the world. It shows that your acts can be very meaningful to others, and you alone could make someone's day a whole lot better. It tells us that each of our kind acts count, and nothing gets overlooked, even if it may seem that way at the time. This would be a great book to use in the classroom, especially when teaching about the importance of being kind to one another!
December 5, 2020
I like the message that this book tries to get across to the reader. I love the message of being kind to everyone and how it is a chain reaction. The story is about one act of kindness that leads to another act of kindness and continues on among people. It could go along with a lesson about filling each others bucket.
December 9, 2020
Beautiful and important message, but it feels strikingly similar to the book ONE by Kathryn Otoshi. The illustrations in this book are more beautiful than ONE, but in ONE, the text is more clever and powerful. I would use both of these books to emphasize the importance of one person being able to make a difference.
June 3, 2021
This book is perfect for children to read to learn that every act of kindness counts. It does not matter if this act is small or big it will always mean something to someone else. If one person is kind this may lead to other children or people to show acts of kindness. I love how this book says that one hug can make a big difference in someone's day. Super cute book that all kids should read!
September 21, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. The focus is on a little girl who has an argument with a boy. The boy appears to yell at her and she begins to cry. Another girl sees what's going on and tries to comfort her. The illustrations speak volumes. This is a beautifully illustrated book and will definitely make an impression on its readers. Highly recommended for Grades K-5.
Read
November 29, 2023This book shows how one small act of kindness can change everything. When a student
reaches out to a classmate who seems rather lonely, she begins noticing other acts of
kindness throughout her school and community. This book can show younger children
that though they are small they can make a lasting impact
November 12, 2024
Important message, beautifully told. No matter how scary the new leaders tyrants are, we will always have the power to be one kind person, committing one kind act at a time, making a difference in at least one other being's life.
I will look for more by Curato, and I highly recommend this book.
I will look for more by Curato, and I highly recommend this book.
October 31, 2020
A simple but powerful reminder of how important one person...one act of kindness...one small gesture...one small seed...can be in changing the world. A great springboard in talking to children about how important each of them, and the choices they make every day, are to the people around them.
November 11, 2020
All it takes is one person to make someone's life better just by being there for them. Kindness creates a ripple effect and wonderful things get done in a community. From the author of "The Invisible Boy".
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