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The Power of One

WRITTEN BY TRUDY LUDWIG, KNOPF, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

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2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

National Council for Social Studies, The Children's Book Council

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 book: "Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE."

REVIEWS

"One small act of kindness can make a lasting impact. So can one powerful book. THE POWER OF ONE by Trudy Ludwig and Mike Curato is that book."

Pat Zietlow Miller 

New York Times bestselling author of Be Kind

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"Thought-provoking, uplifting and actionable, 

The Power of One will inspire young readers to plant the seeds of kindness in their own classrooms and communities."

Alexandra Penfold

New York Times bestselling author of All Are Welcome

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"Words and pictures work together to show how, one by one, we can make a difference...

A good pick about caring for sharing."

Kirkus

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"One person's angry words (a gray scribble in a speech bubble) hurt another. An empathetic witness reaches out: "One good listener...can make even the smallest voice heard." Curato's expressive mixed-media art, color illustrations with black-and-white photographic details, convey much of the quiet text's meaning, literally and figuratively. One newly blossomed friendship leads to more friends gathering to transform an abandoned space into a community garden. As for the original pair, "One sincere apology...can help heal big and little hurts." Thoughts on "Planting Seeds of Kindness in Your Community" and lists of books and websites conclude the offering."

The Horn Book

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