As a school counsellor; I’m always looking for new books to read and share with my students and teachers. Race to Kindness by Orion Jean is one that I can’t wait to add to my library when it is released. The message is simple : Kindness is everything. We’re all on a race to it. I loved getting to know Orion a little bit through the interview at the end as well!

Thank you so much Netgalley and ZonderKidz for the ARC!

I absolutely loved listening to the Race to Kindness audiobook! It shares a fantastic message and reminder for both children and adults to be kind to each other and was absolutely inspiring and heartwarming to listen to!

Race to Kindness is a 15-minute long audiobook that includes an audio version of the illustrated picture book, Race to Kindness by Orion Jean and a bonus interview with the author who talks about his journey to being the Time 2021 Kid of the Year and the importance of kindness and being kind.

The book is filled with rhyming, lyrical text that is a call-to-action for children and adults to join the race to kindness. I absolutely loved the message of the book and it was fantastic how the author shared different ways we can be kind to one another (in ways both big and small). It’s read by the author who narrates it in such an exciting and engaging way that invites the reader/listening to be part of the race to kindness.

In addition to the audiobook section, I also enjoyed listening to the Bonus Interview with the Author section. It was inspiring to hear about Orion’s dedication and passion for giving back to his community by exhibiting kindness.

Overall, I loved listening to Race to Kindness! I would definitely recommend this audiobook to parents, caregivers, teachers, and educators for their children and students to listen to if they are looking for children’s books that talk about and inspire kindness. It can be listened to as a stand-alone audiobook or as an accompaniment to the upcoming picture book.

Thank you Zonderkids – Audiobook for providing me an e-copy on Netgalley to review. This review was initially published on NetGalley and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Wow! Okay, so much to say. For starters, this book is adorable inside and out. The voice between the pages is simply delightful and is the perfect book for both adults and children because let's be serious, KINDNESS is exactly what we could all use a little more of! :)

As an avid fan of poetry and rhymes this was such a fun book to listen to with my little girls. All three of us enjoyed the wording and the overall message of spreading kindness. It shows that kindness comes in all shapes and forms. A simple, "hello" can go such a long way. A smile to a stranger can change their whole day...for you never know what someone is going through:

I am constantly trying to teach and encourage kindness and this book spoke volumes. It was easy to follow along and so enjoyable. Short, sweet and to the point. This would be perfect in for all classrooms! I would certainly purchase and think this would make a perfect gift to give.

This gets 5 stars from me and my 8 year old. THEN! When I looked up the author just to put a face with the name and discovered the author is a child himself my heart was warm and fuzzy! After learning Orion was named Kid of the Year and listening to all of his KINDNESS in the 'Learn about the Author' there is no doubt in my mind this child is going places! We could all learn a bit or two from Orion.

The audio version of Race to Kindness was a huge hit with my kindergarten age daughter. She loved it and asked me to buy the book when it comes out (which I most definitely will).

This was a fun listen with rhymes and full of good suggestions of how to be kind to others. It let's kids know what to watch for, when someone could really use an act of kindness and opens their eyes to how you might feel after you are kind to others.

Definitely recommend this for parents with young kids / teachers to read to their students!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for this children’s audio book ARC opportunity!

This was absolutely beautiful. As a therapist, I found this to be so encouraging to children, uplifting, with practical and compassionate advice on how to be kind and include others. It lists ways to be kind and considerate, look out for people, and reflect on how that person may feel.

I would highly recommend this book to other children’s therapists, parents, and teachers.

The narrator did a great job and was engaging and pleasant to listen to.