Very lovely little book. My 5 (f) and 7 (m) year olds love it too!
I will be buying a copy for their bookshelf AND a copy to send to their school, because I think it’s brilliantly written and encourages manners, kindness and empathy in an easy-to-comprehend format. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for.

I will absolutely be recommending this book to others!

Thankyou for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

'So you see, being kind isn’t hard.
It’s like planting love in your own backyard.'

This is a sweet little book with a lovely, wholesome, meaningful message about kindness and compassion for everyone, everything, everywhere we go.

Definitely a book worth reading with younger kids!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

Such a wonderful book for all. Simple thoughts for a better world. A great addition to any classroom or children's library.

Part of a "What if" series of books

This author and the illustrator have created a very welcoming book that includes everyone. Will appeal to teachers, parents, grandparents and anybody else who picks this little gem up.


Thank you NetGalley and C.M. Harris for the advanced digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest view

A decent plea for kindness, thrust at us with pretty decent rhyming – although the rhythm of the lines certainly isn't that consistent – and artwork that demands we take notice of the walking frames, wheelchairs, turbans and hearing aids, so that nobody could ever feel excluded. Easily read, easily understood, enjoyably colourful – this has a lot going for it. But I think re-reading it would be from duty, not pleasure. Still, if it needs to be read even the once to get its simple message across, then it's clearly better to have it than not...

What if We Were All Kind by C.M. Harris is a book that is perfect for children. The author teaches the readers the importance of kindness and the happiness it brings to the receiver through beautiful illustrations. There is much to comprehend through the illustrations as well as the story. There are also discussion questions at the end of the book that will help the children to know more about the theme.

This book is part of the What If We Were Series, where each book deals with a particular theme like honesty, generosity, friendship etc.

I loved this book and would definitely read this book to my child.

What If We Were All Kind is a beautiful story that teaches children the importance of patience and kindness. With pretty and colorful illustrations, the author demonstrates how wonderful the world would be if everyone were kind to each other.

This book is a delight, and I would love to read the entire series!

this reminded me of a comic book art style, gorgeous! Great message and we loved reading it together :)

In a Nutshell: A picture book with an important lesson. Inclusive illustrations + meaningful text. Feels a bit forced at times, but worth a read for the message and the tips.

As the question in the title suggests, this book imagines a world where people always try to be kind to each other. In actions and in words, their aim is to be good and do good. Is such a world really possible? Not sure about adults, but for children, forgiving and forgetting comes more easily. They fight one minute and patch up the next. This book takes that same attitude and aims to make it a natural response instead of an exception.
The book obviously has an idealistic tone, with its depiction of a perfect world and perfect kindness all the time. But if even some of its tips are implemented by little (and not so little) readers, the world will surely be a better place.
The entire text contains rhetorical questions, ways of implementing kindness, and the consequences of the same. I like that it included practical ideas on how to be kind. Abstract concepts always work better if they come with tangible examples, and this book handles this aspect nicely. I also love that it included animals and nature in the target of recipients.
No matter how I wish to be kind to a book about kindness, reviewing has to stay unbiased. While I liked the concept of the book, the implementation could have done with a little finetuning.
Firstly, I wish the content had been a little more structured. The lines switch between platitudes and implementation ideas at random. Sometimes, the verses don’t even feel connected. Take these lines for instance;
“We can travel near and far,
where we’re accepted as we are.

Helping a friend or someone new,
is something we really ought to do.”
These two verses are one below the other on the same page. But there is no apparent link between them. (At least, I cannot see any.)
Another problem is that there is no incremental development. The book offers behavioural tips jumping back and forth across home, school and community at random. As such, the overall feel is a bit disjointed. The general lines about the value of kindness also feel repetitive after a point. One part about the text that I couldn’t bring myself to accept was the line about “no more anger”. I think picture books should stop shaming anger as it is a natural human emotion. Suppression of anger can lead to all kinds of physical and mental issues, so a better approach would be to indicate how to handle anger with patience and kindness.
As seen above, the text is written in simple rhythmic prose. I am not the biggest fan of rhymes in picture books, but I appreciate them when they get the syllabic meter on point as this makes the books easy to read aloud. This one is more of a hit-or-miss. The rhymes feel forced on many pages. Also, the text randomly switches between first person plural and second person. It should have had either “we” or “you”, not both, considering how the entire text is aimed at the same reader.
The illustrations are mostly adorable. Every page is full of beautiful detailing with bright colours. The graphics are also very inclusive, with the kids and adults covering a range of ethnic groups, with diverse skin colours, hair types (and even baldness), and facial features across the characters. For the first time ever, I saw a picture book character wearing a hearing aid – how awesome is that! However, a part of me feels like it took the inclusivity too far. There are six distinct children in wheelchairs across the pages. This number doesn’t even include two more children using crutches (for a bandaged foot) and one with a walking frame. If the scenes come from the same classroom in the same school, then these numbers do feel exaggerated. One of the pages is half covered by the globe (not to scale), and there are kids shown on different parts of it. Three of the kids are clearly standing on the ocean water!
There are some interesting discussion questions at the end of the book. Thee are bound to be very helpful in drilling the point firmly across.
All in all, I do love the intent of the book but I feel that the implementation could have been better. A little restructuring of the text would have helped the content deliver a greater impact.
Still, the aim is a worthy one, and some of the included ideas are quite practical. So the book could contribute towards a nice discussion in classrooms and homes. The text would work well for ages 2-7.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to Purple Diamond Press Inc. for providing the DRC of “What If We Were All Kind!” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

What If We Were All Kind!: A Children's Rhyming Book About Empathy and Kindness (Paperback)
by C.M. Harris
A soft presented story that shows how the world would be better if we had empathy and kindness. The pictures are multicultural diverse showing how kindness can make the world better.

I love everything about this book and recommend it. The story is fantastic and it even has a bonus activity. It makes it perfect for the classroom. It also would be great for church or school counselors. If you want a story to discuss kindness this is a perfect choice. It is a book even for the youngest in your family or school. It is never too young to hear a message of being kind or polite to others. We have different personalities and sometimes we have disagreements. Finding ways to be kind and respectful to one another is important.

I didn't find the narrative to have a. nice flow. It was a bit choppy.
Great pictures and inclusive illustrations though!
Great theme!

This cute rhyming picture book with colorful pictures is the perfect way to remind kids to be kind. It also has several discussion questions in the afterward.

As a mom of a 2 year old, this book so perfectly written for little ears to learn how to be kind to those around them. I loved the wording and diverse representation in the illustrations. The message is perfect for kids young and old!

A Beautiful Book to Teach Kindness!

What If We Were All Kind! by C.M. Harris is a gem for young readers. The book uses simple language and thoughtful "what if" questions to help children understand how kindness can impact the world around them. The illustrations are colorful and engaging, perfect for keeping little ones interested and the message is easy for toddlers and preschoolers to grasp. I especially loved how it opens the door to important conversations about how we treat others.
As a parent, I’m always looking for books that combine a strong message with fun visuals, and this one hits the mark. It’s a lovely read that encourages empathy, inclusion, and compassion in a gentle way. Highly recommend this book for families, teachers, or anyone looking to build emotional awareness in young kids.

Such a sweet and thoughtful book to help cultivate kindness. I loved the discussion questions at the end for continued conversations.

The illustrations are so beautiful, bright and cheerful. I also loved that the scenarios in the book took place in so many different places. Kindness doesn't need to happen just at school or at home, but everywhere.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Real World Situations
Genre: Children’s Fiction

What If We Were All Kind by C.M. Harris is a true treasure. It’s more than just a sweet rhyming book—it’s a powerful tool for teaching children the importance of empathy, compassion, and the impact of even the smallest acts of kindness.

What makes this book stand out is how it beautifully weaves in cultural, religious, physical, and ethnic diversity through its vibrant illustrations. Every page reflects the rich variety of the world we live in, showing children that kindness isn’t just for people who look or live like them—it’s for everyone. Representation matters, and this book gets it exactly right.

From offering a helping hand to being a good friend, the story presents real-life scenarios that young readers can relate to, understand, and apply in their own lives. The bonus discussion questions at the end are a wonderful way to keep the conversation going, whether in the classroom or at bedtime.

As a parent and teacher, I’m always looking for books that are both meaningful and engaging, and What If We Were All Kind checks every box. It’s heartwarming, inclusive, and inspiring—a story that encourages children to be thoughtful, generous, and proud of who they are while recognizing and respecting the differences in others.

This book belongs in every home, classroom, and library. It’s not just a story—it’s a message the world needs right now. 💛
#netgalley #whatifwewereallkind #booked_this_weekend

This is the book that everyone - children and adults - need right now! What If We Were All Kind! by C.M. Harris, and illustrated by Vitor Lopes, is beautiful cover to cover.
Harris presents what the world would be like if everyone were kind to each other, regardless of race, religion, or abilities. Yet none of these differences are overtly mentioned; instead she depends on the colourful and sweet illustrations to show children and adults across numerous backgrounds being kind, and as a result, happy. When strife is mentioned, it is followed by how much better kindness is. "Kindness knows no borders", sharing, charity, and patience are things to strive for within these pages, presented with a lyrical prose and brilliant illustrations. Even animals make an appearance as recipients and givers of kindness.
Adults would do well to read this, as many seem to have forgotten.
This book should not only be on personal bookshelves, to be read by families together, but in school and public libraries as well, to make sure the word gets out
I'm happy to have received an ARC of #WhatIfWeWereAllKind from #NetGalley, and highly recommend this book to families everywhere.

I am always looking for books about kindness to share with my kids (5 and 3).

I really liked the short paragraphs and the rhyming, because I think that it will really keep the kids attention while also making it something to remember.

The illustrations were beautiful and vivid which really accentuated the story. But, the thing that I love the most, is the inclusion of discussion questions at the end. As busy parents,it is not always easy to track down resources for having informed discussions about things like kindness. So having the discussion questions really helps bring the book full circle. Definitely want to add to my parenting toolbox.

What a cute wonderful book to teach young readers to be kind. And very diversity from skins to abilities of each character. The art is very cute and colorful as well. I love every single piece of this book!

I just read this one to my kids at bedtime and it was the perfect bedtime read. Pleasant and thought provoking but overall just leaves the readers feeling peaceful and hopeful. Parent and kid approved :)