Teaching our kids how to treat others is a lifelong process. It's something I'm still learning how to do as an adult. This past month, we had the chance to read and review Everybody, Always for Kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich, a kid's version of the bestselling adult title Everybody, Always. This book from Tommy Nelson Publishing is a sweet addition to any family library.
Everybody, Always for Kids Review
The first thing to note about this title is that it's of very high quality. It's a thick book, with a durable cover and even a little ribbon placeholder so you can mark the story you're on and come back to it easily. Since we used this as part of our bedtime reading routine, this made it simpler for me to grab the story we needed, read, and get the kids to be on time. (I so appreciated that!)
The stories themselves are parable in nature and told from the perspective of the author Bob Goff. You can tell from the way the accounts are written that Goff is an amazing speaker, experienced in sharing human experiences in a relatable way, even for kids. With the writing partnership of his daughter Lindsey Goff Viducich, Goff has made even some of the more difficult encounters we may have in the world relatable, kid-friendly, and inspiring.
Some stories are a bit longer than others, while there are a few that are just 3-4 short pages. You don't have to read these in order, and skipping around is possible if you're short on time and need to read them with length in mind.
There is also a companion learning tool Everybody Always, For Kids Five Day Lesson Plan, which I received as a PDF to go over. While we didn't go through these formally with my kids, I did look the lessons over to prompt me with questions I could ask the kids or to prepare for any questions they may end up asking. It was an amazing way to get more depth from the book.
What will kids learn?
I believe that both kids and parents can take something away from this beautiful collection. First, kids will learn that there may not be much you can do in some situations except your response to the situation. I think this is an important life lesson, one that I still grapple with. How you treat others is one of the few super-powers we have as humans, and it's something even small kids who feel that they have very little influence can work on.
In a time when kindness isn't always in style, this book models how to treat others in a way that's not belittling or novel, but rather genuine, inspired by the value we all have by being made in our Creator's image. It gives some very thought-provoking imagery and story situations that can get kids and parents thinking about how they would act in similar situations.
One other thing I loved about the book is that it doesn't neglect boundaries. Even in stories where kids are encouraged to be kind, there are lines that indicate that the author doesn't believe kids or adults should show kindness to the point of putting themselves in danger or making an unhealthy boundary statement. This is something that's lacking in some kindness-themed books.
(I don't think the other books are without an understanding or appreciation or boundaries, but perhaps they don't feel they have time to address is or that kids can understand the nuance of the situation.)
Everybody, Always for Kids does an amazing job of entrusting kids with the knowledge that they can choose to enforce healthy boundaries. While not a major theme of any of the stories, small phrasing here and there addressing the matter is much appreciated by this mom who wants kids to make healthy and wise decisions, even in their kind interactions with others.
Everybody, Always for Kids Review Summary
With so many morality books on the market for kids, this collection is a refreshing change. With teachable moments, sweet illustrations, and a message that both kids and adults can appreciate, Everybody, Always for Kids will make a nice addition to your bedtime read-aloud collection.
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