Bibliophiles everywhere will enjoy this crafty, big-hearted celebration of stories. These DIY bookmarks will help you bring smiles and big-hearted ideas to your community. Here are just a few ways you may want to enjoy this project:
With your family at your kitchen table, at a coffee shop, or anywhere you can connect and color.
With a youth group (classmates, teammates, scouts, youth group, etc.) as a bookish kindness activity.
Leave copies to share with your local library or in little free libraries for other book lovers to complete.
If you enjoyed the Bookmark Kindness in your Welcome Kit, try it again! This time invite friends!
Recipients
Hide them in library books. Give them to friends, teachers, neighbors. Leave them in Little Free Libraries.
What You’ll Need
DGT’s Member Exclusive Printable
Crayons or colored pencils
Scissors
Clear packing tape or laminating paper
Hole punch
Yarn or ribbon
Instructions
Decorate your bookmarks.
Read (and discuss) the recommended books on your bookmarks.
Try one (or more) of the recommended kindness ideas on your bookmarks.
Cut around the outside of the book marks (leaving the front and back adjoined).
Fold in half (so the front and back face outward).
Seal with packing tape or laminate.
Use a hole punch where indicated and add yarn or ribbon.
Hide your decorated bookmarks in library books you love or in Little Free Libraries. Give them to teachers or neighbors or folks who may be lonely or ill.
Resources
These books grow kindness:
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson: This book is a beautiful reminder to take pride in our own stories, watch for what we have in common with others, and delight in our fabulous differences.
Doña Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart by Pat Mora: This heartwarming and humorous original tall tale is peppered with Spanish words and phrases. Readers will fall in love with Doña Flor, a giant lady with a great big heart.
Have you Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud: The bucket provides a perfect metaphor for the way our words and actions can make others overflow with happy feelings, or the way we may lash out at others when we’re feeling depleted and empty. Even the youngest readers will set out to fill a bucket!
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët: Winner of Parents Magazine's "Best Book that Champions Kindness" of 2018! This wonderful, wordless book is a must-have for any big-hearted library. t
Peace is an Offering by Annette LeBox: A group of neighborhood kids discover peace in the beautiful world around them. This poetic book will open your eyes to the world around you.
These books inspire changemakers:
The Big Umbrella by June Bates: This is a beautiful, open-ended book helps kids see that there’s always room to include others. Young readers may enjoying knowing that this book was co-written by a mother-daughter team that imagined the story on their way to school in the rain.
The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau: In this bewitching fairy-tale, a very talented seamstress makes beautiful quilts for the poor and the homeless When the king who has everything decides he must have one of her creations, she tells him he must give away everything; then she will give him a quilt. In the process of shedding his many possessions, the king finds true happiness.
Lend a Hand: Poems about Giving by John Frank: So much good is captured in the pages of this book. Kind acts of children are captured in the thoughtful, observant way only poetry can accomplish.
Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt: This book is both a joyful story of friendship and an emotional tale of hidden need. Children will be inspired to learn more – and do more – about local issues of hunger after hearing Sofia’s desire to help her friend.
The Three Questions: Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy by Jon J Muth: Follow Nikolai on his quest to answer three important questions: Who is the most important one? What is the most important thing? When is the most important time? Amid all of this food for thought, your family will cheer for Nikolai as he rescues someone in need.
What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers: The remarkable Dave Eggers, author of the inspiring book Her Right Foot, is at it again. In his engaging, beautifully-written style, Eggers inspires kids to consider what it takes to be an active citizen.
Take it Further
Restock a Little Free Library.
Leave encouraging sticky notes - along with bookmarks - in your favorite library books.
Donate favorite books to a shelter.
Host a book drive for a shelter or organization in need.
Volunteer to read to seniors at a nearby nursing home.
Disclaimer: Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.