Give

by Jen Arena, Rahele Jomepour Bell (Illustrator)

A gorgeous and powerful book about how simple acts of kindness can change the world.

Pay It Forward. Random Acts of Kindness. The Golden Rule. Choose Kind.
As parents, teachers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we hope to teach children compassion, kindness, and selflessness.

With a gentle, poignant text by Jen Arena, and colorful, detailed illustrations by Rahele Jomepour Bell, this unforgettable story shows the power of simple acts of kindness and the potential to change other people’s days for the better.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Inspirational, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Juvenile

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

About the author

Jen Arena is lucky to have been surrounded by great children’s books her whole life. As a teenager, she worked at a children’s-only indie bookstore in Pennsylvania, and after graduating from college, she made her way to New York City, where she found a job in children's book publishing. Since then, she’s written many books for kids. She recently left New York and now lives in Florida, surrounded by sunshine, palm trees, and really weird birds.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sentiment expressed in this picture book is one that all readers should take to heart--good deeds are rewarded and will come back to you in some way. (Perhaps cueing Taylor Swift's song "Karma" while reading it would hammer that message home. For many youngsters, it might seem as though small acts of kindness have little significance or effect on the world around them. But as this picture book, sumptuously illustrated with oil paint on paper, then using Photoshop to layer and modify the images, shows, little things mean a lot. The message relies on minimal text and everyday scenes to show how even something as small as replacing a girl's lost ribbon with one wrapped around a present can make all the difference in the world. Several double-page spreads show that this simple act of kindness is passed on as the ribbon's recipient in turn offers her scarf to a classmate who is chilly, and so on and so forth, in a sort of kindness chain. Readers may be surprised when they reach the last double-page spread and discover what was in that big wrapped box seen on the opening pages. While it isn't always the case that there is such a sweet tangible reward for being thoughtful or caring toward others, it's comforting to know that choosing to be kind has positive results.

[Salena Palacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book because it is not so wordy and the story is in the illustrations. The topics of this book are kindness and empathy. In this story some of the children experience small troubles, like something breaking or feeling lonely and are helped by others who give what they have to make things better. This book is appropriate for children ages 4 to 8 years old. In my classroom I would begin with asking students to share experiences when they gave something to someone or received something from someone else. After reading I would ask, what are some things the characters in the book shared and Why is it important to share with others? After students will draw a large tree in a piece of paper and write or draw things they can share with others on the leaves.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and simple book that has a powerful message - be kind. If you see that someone needs something, give it to them. At first I thought this might be a wordless book. It isn't but it almost could be. The illustrations convey the actions that happen with each page turn. It's all about paying attention to what is going on around you and lending a helping hand - or warm scarf - if it is needed.

I think kids will enjoy reading through the book once and then going through it again to notice the details in the illustrations, which are truly lovely.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

With minimal text and gorgeous illustrations, Arena and Bell present a near wordless picture book that celebrates the joy of giving. The reader sees many examples of how to be kind and how giving often pays back. This is a great book for a classroom collection to discuss the importance of thinking about others and practical ideas on how to do that.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with sparse text about showing small kindnesses and paying it forward.

In a way, the illustrations are quite simple, but the illustrator did a wonderful job of conveying emotions through facial expressions and body postures.

I think this would work well in a preschool or lower-elementary storytime.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that gives wonderful ideas of action. This story shows the power of simple acts of kindness and the potential to change the days of those around us for the better. Here are ways we can teach ourselves and our children compassion, kindness, and selflessness.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Preschool+

Sometimes bad things happen, so give what you can. Simple acts of kindness and reassurance spread through a school and community. No new ground is tread with this subject but the oil illustrations are incredible and the subject of paying it forward is always worth revisiting.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that gives wonderful ideas for action. This story shows the power of simple acts of kindness and the potential to change the days of those around us for the better. Here are ways we can teach ourselves, and our children, compassion, kindness, and selflessness.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story about giving a little if you can. It will be especially well received as we enter the holiday season. The oil painting illustrations are gorgeous, but I suspect adult will appreciate them more than children.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 2/2

Generosity

Set in fall, simple, very about giving. The illustrator is from Iran but lives in WA.

[Michael Guillot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't agree!!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations!
I love that this is kind of a 'pass it on' story, as well a partly wordless,
and a circle story.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers see what happens when other share what they have so everyone has what they need. Told with few words and fully detailed illustrations.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, simple story about generosity and the impact it can have on others.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stunning picture book with minimal words and engaging illustrations is a masterpiece!

For those elementary schools teaching students to give kindness, here is first purchase!

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

1/7/2024 ~ Reading the illustrations along with the text is imperative. Read and discuss - one never knows how a bit of kindness will spread.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute papercut art, very few words, sweet message.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arena Attack #8
Bascially a manifesto on being kind and generous - give, which is a great message.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lesson but nearly wordless.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to all the ways we can give. Discuss the example of compassion found in the pictures.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's lives are changed as one child passes on kindness to another in the span of one day. Preschool and up

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because the book is almost wordless, readers/listeners must pay close attention to the illustrations, the same way, in real life, we must pay attention to those around us in order to GIVE.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of few words but filled with emotion and caring. It all starts with giving what you can, and paying it forward when the opportunity presents itself.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the "pay it forward" message of this book, and the bonus is my kids really like it too!

[Cydney Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful message ❤️

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving is more than gifting a present to someone. It's giving and sharing time, supplies, comfort.
The books wraps up with "The good you give comes back to you."

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. According to some impressive sentences, what you give will come back to you.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful circular story that shows how sharing can come back to you. It starts with a boy taking the ribbon off a wrapped gift he is carrying and giving it to a girl who lost her hair ribbon in the wind; the girl gives her scarf to another girl who is cold, and on it goes until kindness comes back to the first person. Great illustrations.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of kindness that pays itself forward.