Catching Kindness

by Kara Mitchell

Sometimes being kind requires a little more oomph. Especially at the grocery store when everyone seems to be in a bad mood and the car cart you wanted is already taken. But sometimes kindness can take you by surprise. Suddenly the kid with the car cart yields his ride, and that small act changes everything. If crankiness is catching, kindness can be just as infectious. As one child shows kindness to others, he watches how his kindness spreads and grows, with one kindness leading to another throughout the store.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Catching Kindness is a beautiful picture book for children about how a small act of kindness can change the mood of many.
The book shows a mother shopping with her child at the supermarket, but everyone is cranky and taking it out on each other. When the child does something kind, the kindness spreads from person to person, changing the mood and the course of the day for many.
This was a simple but impactful book for children to show what just a touch of kindness can do and how important it is to be kind even if those around you aren't being.
The illustrations are cute and help express what the author is trying to portray.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kara M. Mitchell for this eARC for an honest review.

I love the idea behind this book. Even things as simple as a trip to the grocery store can become such a chore we forget to show kindness. This book reminds you that it is ok to slow down and think about others, I love that idea! This book has a great message for young and old alike.
That being said I found the book a little difficult to follow. There doesn’t seem to be a flow to the words and the print is a little small. I think my preschool class would lose interest in this book quickly so the message would be lost on them.
It is probably best suited for six to nine year olds.

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for an SEL lesson on kindness. The kids liked finding the little sparrow on each page.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Ages 5–9
🗓️ Publishing October 7, 2025

Catching Kindness is a sweet and thoughtful picture book that gently explores the idea that just like a cold, moods—both grumpy and kind ones—can be contagious.

In Catching Kindness, we follow a young boy on a grocery store run with his mom. The story unfolds through a series of small, everyday interactions among shoppers. Some are grumpy. But then, someone decides to be kind, and kindness starts to spread like ripples from customer to customer. The book seamlessly weaves these interactions into the main narrative. It’s not just about our young narrator and his experience—it’s about all the people around him and how their choices impact one another. This layered storytelling invites kids to notice the world beyond themselves and consider how their own actions might shape someone else’s day.

The illustrations are full of detail, and give young readers plenty to discover with every page turn. Whether it’s the facial expressions of the shoppers or little visual subplots playing out in the background, there’s always something to point out and talk about.

Catching Kindness is a lovely conversation starter for classrooms and families alike. It encourages empathy and emotional awareness in a way that feels natural and age-appropriate.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Catching Kindness” shows us that one kind act can have a ripple effect and soon everyone is being just a bit nicer. A young boy goes to the grocery store and discovers that everyone is “ridiculously cranky.” One kindness by a stranger lightens the load and sets off a cascade of acts that make everyone’s life just a tiny bit better. Soon everyone is smiling and sharing tiny kind acts.

In a world that seems to be lacking in kindness of late, this is a fun way to show kids how simple acts can have a cascading effect that makes every day a bit brighter.

“Catching Kindness” is great for kids of all ages and could be a great jumping off point for a targeted kindness campaign at a school.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Magination Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother of two here, and we loved Catching Kindness, by Kara Mitchell! Is there anywhere people are more in a rush and cranky than the grocery store?! I loved that Kara wrote “Crankiness is like the common cold. It can spread fast!”… so true! The illustrations, also by Kara Mitchell, were beautiful! My kids and I loved the pictures. The kids loved pointing out all the different areas of the grocery store, and all the different ways the little boy was being kindness. We preach kindness in our family, often, so we were big fans of this book. This was the perfect book for my 8-year-old to read to my 5-year-old, we would definitely recommend this to another family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for this eARC!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even in the grocery store where many are irritable and hungry, kindness can be spread at the speed of a smile and a nice deed.
The illustrations by the author are imaginative and brilliantly colorful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Magination Press — American Psychological Association via NetGalley. Pub Date Oct 07, 2025
#CatchingKindness by @kara_m_mitchell and @maginationpress @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #kidsbook #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #littlefreelibrary #bekind

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that all families can relate to. We all know the frustrations of every day, like going to the grocery store. When you run into someone feeling grumpy their grumpiness tends to spread. In this adorable story one little boy decides to be kind and soon his kindness spreads making others start to feel happy and upbeat. Wonderfully illustrated showing us those feelings throughout the story.
I loved that my little ones got to see how a little bit of kindness can change the day for the better. It was wonderful to see his kindness spread. Your family will love this fun little story.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world can be very cranky at times and we all need to be catching kindness. I love how this picture book starts at the grocery store. How one act of kindness can spread. A smile, a helpful hand, etc.

It is also a good resource for discussion with your children. How can we be kind at school, at home, at the grocery store. Where ever we are! Pick yourself some kindness with this good read!

A special thank you to American Psychological Association and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine yourself in a crowded store on a hectic day—people are tired, emotions run high, children are screaming, and your balloon just floated away... (the illustrations capture these details beautifully!). But if you pause for a moment and find even a drop of kindness in your heart—for yourself and for others—you might just change the course of the day.
A gentle, thoughtful book with a powerful message.

NetGalley ARC for the honest review.

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catching Kindness teaches young children that just like cranky feelings, kindness can be contagious. With random acts of friendliness, we can make others' days better, as well as our own. This is an absolutely adorable book that I would love to have in my classroom library.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel silly having this opinion on a children's book—but the writing just isn't for me. It was too choppy, making a story that already wasn't very cohesive that much more confusing. I like the idea though, just wish this was a little more polished.

Thank you bunches to Kara Mitchell, NetGalley and the APA for the eARC which I have voluntarily read and reviewed.

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book as a DRC. "Crankiness is like the common cold. It can spread fast!" But kindness "...is like blowing on a dandelion and watching the seeds go EVERYWHERE." This book is a great reminder to be kind to others- especially at the grocery store where many are short on patience. I like this book a lot!

[Tam Desai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely picture book follows a kid at the grocery store where everyone is in a hurry. But part way through, kindness sweeps through the store and people begin to be considerate to each other as they ‘catch’ kindness. It is a great reminder that even small actions can change someone’s day and you can choose kindness.

#NetGalley

[Charlotte Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows a child learning how to spread kindness through a grocery store in a lot of different ways, and how both kindness and crankiness can spread quickly from person to person. The pictures are funny and full of interesting characters. Kids will also have fun finding the bird on each page.

[Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC - This is a sweet picture book with a sweet message, especially applicable to those of us who want to freak out in a grocery store (all of us). Maybe a bit heavy-handed but thats alright.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, LOVED the illustrations in this book! The story is great. The premise of “crankiness” and “kindness” being contagious is so true, and the illustrations do an amazing job of showing the good and bad feelings spreading through the grocery store. Wonderful!

[Stella Marchione · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful story that teaches us all about kindness and paying it forward. Wonderfully original illustrations.

[JWPreK]

What a fun book! This is a wonderful way to talk about kindness and how easily it can spread. There is so much to look for and talk about in the illustrations.

[sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely darling. The voice is spectacular, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the theme is one we all need to hear. But it for all the children -- and adults! -- in your life.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very lovely book!

[Mariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a minute to get into it, but overall a great story about the idea of passing on kindness.