The Power of One, written by Trudy Ludwig and beautifully illustrated by Mike Curato, is an important reminder of how one person’s efforts can change the world for the better. The story begins when one little girl approaches another who is all alone. Her listening ear and thoughtfulness sets off a chain reaction of kindness that affects the entire community.
Why I love The Power of One for the classroom
Building a positive classroom community is so much easier with wonderful books like The Power of One in your read-aloud collection.
My favorite element of the book is that the acts of kindness shown are easy for students to replicate. Being a listening ear for someone who is sad, apologizing for being unkind, or cleaning up a common space are all easy for students to implement in their own communities.
This book serves as a jumping-off point for important conversations about our ability to personally spread kindness in our own lives. Ludwig is a nationally recognized bullying expert with a clear message – “You don’t have to be a superhero with powers to be a real hero in someone else’s eyes”.
“You don’t have to be a superhero with powers to be a real hero in someone else’s eyes”.
Trudy LudwiG – Author
She includes ideas and resources in the back of the book about implementing kindness in our own communities. There is even a helpful picture book list for building out your classroom library with picture and chapter books with related themes! It’s a “one-stop-shop” for teachers looking to instill kindness and empathy in their classrooms.
Discussion Questions for the classroom
- How can being a good listener be an act of kindness?
- How can you help someone who feels invisible feel seen?
- Do you think kindness is contagious? Why or why not?
- What is one small way you can show kindness to a classmate?
- How is planting a seed a metaphor for showing kindness?
Themes
- Kindness
- Community
- Connection
- The Power of One
The Final Word:
This short but impactful book can fit easily into your morning meeting or reading block. Its a perfect companion book for other books about kindness like Jacqueline Woodson’s Each Kindness to Carol McCloud’s Have You Filled A Bucket Today?
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