Human Kindness
True Stories of Compassion and Generosity that Changed the World
Age 8+
Children's & Young Adult: General Non-Fiction History & The Past: General Interest Personal & Social Issues: Self-Awareness & Self-Esteem
Be inspired by incredible stories of kindness from around the world and throughout history.
Join the Planetwalker, John Francis, on an exploration of kindness, great and small. From the kindness John has experienced in his own life to the history of how kindness has helped to shape our laws, morals and communities, read many inspirational stories from around the world.
Over the whole history of humankind, kindness has been key to the survival of our species and to making our world a better place. Learn about Harriet Tubman, who risked her life to help others escape from slavery, the Nomads Clinic, which sends doctors trekking into the Himalayas to tend to patients, The Linda Lindas, a group of young musicians who use their talent to speak up for the rights of others Joshua Coombes, a hairdresser who gives free haircuts to the homeless, and many others. The joyous and awe-inspiring stories in this book will encourage young readers to be kind to others. And being kind, even in small ways, turns out to be healthy for you, yet another reason to be practise kindness every day. It’s our planet to share together – let's be kind.
Creators
John Francis is a campaigner, public speaker and educator who advocates for our planet. He spreads the message that our environment includes the other humans in the world and that we must treat both our earth and our fellow humans with kindness. After witnessing an oil spill and the devastation it caused in San Francisco Bay in 1971, he stopped using motorised transport for 22 years and stopped talking for 17 years in protest. Since then, John has founded the environmental awareness organisation, Planetwalk, given a TED talk (he started talking again in 1990) and published two adult books on his journey.
According to John, 'The environment, actually, is about human rights, civil rights, economic equity, gender equality, and all the ways that humans interact with not only the physical environment but also with one another.'
Josy Bloggs began her initial career as a graphic designer. After graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2009 with a MA in Spatial Design, she went on to work as an interior designer for commercial clients. Josy is based in Yorkshire.
Reviews
Filled with stories of amazing people whose superpower is their compassion towards others – from Harriet Tubman, who saved hundreds of people from a life of slavery, to Joshua Coombes, who gives free haircuts to homeless people – this is a timely and important book and leaves you inspired by the little things we can do to make the world a better place to live in.
BookTrust
Be they large or small, acts of kindness make the world a better place so, with its warm, bright illustrations by Josy Bloggs, this is a book that I’d like to see in primary classrooms and on family bookshelves.
RedReading Hub
This is a gorgeous and clever look at kindness from ‘The Planetwalker’ John Francis … The illustrations by Josy Bloggs are vibrant and diverse. I loved this book very much. Every school and home should own it.
Gardners Magazine
For a school with a values-driven curriculum, this book is a rich source of information and discussion and a useful starting point for some interesting classroom work.
Just Imagine
