Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday, my friends!
We have such a beautiful book today – one that I think the whole world could benefit from right now!
This book was written and illustrated by the very talented Phyllis Harris, whom you may remember from her Tuesday Debut with THE GIFT SHOP BEAR and a previous Perfect Picture Book Friday with CLAUDE. This book is special in its own way.
Oh, but first, real quick, the winner of Nathan Christopher’s giveaway last week! Nathan offered a signed copy of his delightful book, WHEN THE WITCH WROTE BACK, and the winner is. . .
RYANN JONES!!!
Congratulations, Ryann! Having read the book, I’m pretty sure you’re really going to enjoy it! 😊 Please email me at your earliest convenience so I can get your book to you!
And now, THE DAY KINDNESS CAME 🌷
Title: The Day Kindness Came
Written & Illustrated By: Phyllis Harris
ISBN#: 979-8898950033
Publisher: Morehouse Publishing, October 6, 2026, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: kindness
text and illustration copyright Phyllis Harris 2026, Morehouse Publishing
Opening:
“Bear was the only one of his kind
in all of Whispering Woods, where
the trees whispered worries and
the wind sowed seeds of doubt.”
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “When a gentle girl named Kindness wanders into the Whispering Woods, everything begins to change. The trees that once shivered in fear grow still. The animals who hid in shadows start to peek out. And Bear―who has always felt too big, too different, too misunderstood―finds, for the very first time, that someone truly sees him.”
text and illustration copyright Phyllis Harris 2026, Morehouse Publishing
Links To Resources: please enjoy these activities provided by author Phyllis Harris! Thank you, Phyllis!
ACTIVITIES FOR Parents, Educators and Librarians
Creative Crafts
- Kindness rocks: Paint smooth stones with bright colors and happy words, then hide them outside for people to find.
- Paper chain of good deeds: Write a kind act on colorful paper strips and link them together each time someone helps a friend.
Heartfelt Actions
- Thank-you notes: Draw pictures or write short notes for school helpers, bus drivers, or family members.
- The compliment circle: Sit in a circle and take turns saying one nice thing about the person next to you.
text and illustration copyright Phyllis Harris 2026, Morehouse Publishing
Why I Like This Book: Set in the Whispering Woods, this is a classic story of judging a book by its cover. All the forest animals look at Bear and see only how big he is. They fear him without knowing him. So Bear is sad and lonely, until a girl named Kindness comes. Seeing Bear is all alone, she touches his huge paw with her hand. Being kind, and willing to see him for who he is, she sees what the animals missed – that Bear has a tender heart. Because she is kind to all, and she is not afraid of Bear, the other animals slowly learn to trust him, too. Quiet and lovely, this book shows kids how kindness can change the world. Especially these days, this book will be wonderful addition to any shelf.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
What a lovely title as well as theme for this PB! I agree we all benefit from “kindness”❣️
So true, Susan. The world could use a lot more of it!
We need a tidal wave of kindness! Thanks for the rec, Susanna!
We certainly do, Jules! And you are most welcome! 🙂
I love Phyllis’s art! This one is amazing!
OMG me too! And I love how each of her books looks different to suit the story. CLAUDE is so bold and playful, A GIFT FOR BEAR kind of old-fashioned, and this one kind of dreamy.
I can’t wait to get this book and have it in my classroom! Everyone needs kindness every day. Such a special book! Thank you, Susanna, for highlighting this beautiful picture book!
My pleasure, Sharon. It is an absolutely lovely book and belongs in every classroom!
Another beautiful book from a wonderfully talented author/illustrator!🥰
Hear! Hear! Kim. I totally agree!
Love Phyllis’s books! This one especially looks so beautifully classical. Can’t wait to read. Congratulations, Phyllis!
I’m glad you’re a Phyllis fan, Barb! 🙂 And I know – isn’t the art in this one sweet? I just love it!
I love Phyllis’ books. This one looks enchanting!
It is, Patricia. So sweet, and so beautiful!
Stunning and kind. My “kind” of good read.
Same here 🙂
What a sweet story, and one we need! The artwork is enchanting. Thanks for sharing it today.
I agree, Sue. This is the kind of book I pick up because the art pulls me in and just can’t put down!
Aww, this sounds beautiful! Thanks for sharing! And the artwork!!! Perfect!
It really is perfect, Angie – so well suited to the story. Such an advantage, I think, to be an author/illustrator!
A beautiful picture book! Congratulations, Phyllis! I wish Kindness woulld come every day.
Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Cathy? We are lucky to be part of a community where kindness is more prevalent than in many!
Such beautiful illustrations, and a lovely story that’s sure to touch the heart.
Agreed and agreed, Jilanne – love all around!
Thank you, Susanna for your constant support! And thank you ALL for your kind comments!
Truly my pleasure, Phyllis! Your books are all so wonderful!
I join everyone else – WOW! what a beautiful book with such a great heart. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for featuring it Susanna!