Celebrating world kindness day

We've got one of them today. Also, World Kindness Day, and we're going to get to those sticky notes in just a moment. It's a chance to remind kids that even the smallest gesture can make a big difference from secret acts of kindness to creative ways to help other and children's author. Janet Zappala is here to share some fun, easy ways that parents can teach kids to spread a little more kindness, not just today, but each and every day. That's the idea, right? It should be every day, Steve. It should be all the time. Yeah. So Janet spent a lot of her life doing what we do every day, and then you transitioned into the world of children's. But for a good reason, because these characters we see on the books, these are real characters. And they're rescued animals. The main characters on the covers of my books are rescued animals. And I happened to see a photograph of our little Wopo, at the time he was little, with our pot-bellied pig cuddling. And I thought, wow, a light bulb goes off, and I think... Wouldn't this be great messaging for children, that we all are not alike, right? We have our differences. We should celebrate our differences. We should think about diversity, how really important that is, acceptance and getting along. Because really, the bottom line is all about kindness, and that's what sparked. these books. Yep. And so you saw the different animals coming together. They were enjoying the kind gestures of each other so they could coexist. Numerous books later, we're still going strong, but I want to focus today on the kindness and the kids. What are some of the things that you could recommend? So like we said, it's not just on World Kindness Day. Every day. I've got a great idea here for kids that can, they can do this with their parents or other family members where they can take a pine cone, roll it in some peanut butter, then some bird seed. Tie a little string on top and hang it outside and then take great joy in watching the birds. actually eat up, literally eat up your act of kindness. It makes the kids feel like they're doing something kind and it brings families together because they're doing a project together that really makes sense. That's one thing. So the birds are going to get a little treat out of this, but also they have to work for it. So you're going to have the opportunity too, to watch them. Maybe you can learn a little bit more about wildlife and birding or whatever it might be. It's so important to care for animals. And that's another reason why I did these books Because part of the proceeds from my books go to... We support two non-profit animal rescues in California and Arizona. Oh, wow. These are non-profits. We must support them. So if people get the books, they get a meaningful gift, and they also give back to our rescues, which is great. We promised off the top we'd talk about sticky notes. We've got to write it. And who doesn't love a good sticky note? And they're very easy. You just write nice little messages like, keep shining, believe in yourself. You've got this. Maybe your friend's got a big game coming up or a test. You put this on their locker or on their lunch pail or on their desk at school. I love this one. Speaking of school, how about this? You can do this with a sibling or a friend. This book isn't the only treasure here. So just little things or just give them a nice little smiley face. So would you recommend, and again, we're talking about something that kids can do to spread kindness out there. If you're going to leave a note for somebody, a positive note for somebody, do you sign it? Do you let them know it's from you? Or is it best to just leave it out there universally? Well, you know what? That's a very good question. In fact, parents could send their kids on a secret kindness. This mission to do something really nice for a family member or a friend and not expect to take any credit so that maybe they could tidy up a sibling's bedroom, feed the family pet, set the dinner table for mom and dad, or leave a nice note for their teacher or friend, right? And not expect anything in return so the recipient feels cared for and the child derives a great deal of satisfaction and joy. Doing something that they don't expect any credit for. Sure, and that's kind of the nicest part, right? Yes. Is if you know that you're just doing this out of the kindness, not expecting something in return. That's right. I do want to ask you, and I ask this out of a kind place, but... In some places, right, it's very easy. You can go do something kind for your neighbor. They'll appreciate it and feel loved. But a lot of kids these days are either not able to or afraid to even leave their house, to talk to the neighbors, to talk to other people in the community. Is there a way that you can still do that, let people know you care, without being intrusive to them or still being respectful of the boundaries? Well, you know, a good neighbor makes a neighborhood a family. So it really is important. that neighbor helps neighbor. I have a great idea. I've got some washable chalk here. Make sure it's washable. And you can actually write a little note on your neighbor's sidewalk or porch that I'm so glad to have you as a neighbor or maybe just love. thy neighbor. So they know that you're thinking about them. They know that you're there for them and they'll reciprocate. And it just really harbors nice feelings in the neighborhood, right? In the community, because you want to give back. You want to be a part of that, that community that helps one another. And that's a great way to do it. And it's just about smiling at a stranger. You know, do you need a helping hand? Whatever it is, little acts of kindness. My books teach children that kindness doesn't have to be big. Right? Yep. And it's not a weakness. It's a strength. But it can make a big difference. And that's the idea that we're trying to do. Thank you for the tips, for the insight, for sure. More books in the works? We're still writing? Absolutely. You know what? My latest book, Wapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove, there's a cliffhanger. Okay. So I have to write another book. Plus it makes kids think, uh-oh, what happens next? Even kids get cliffhangers. That's right. Thanks for coming in today. We do appreciate it. All right. Jacqueline's always nice. She's always doing things for others. What do you have coming up? All right, Steve. Well, that was sweet. Thanks.