We can all use a smile today so we have a treat to share! Can you do something kind and make someone smile today too? We'd like to help get you started with an activity sheet and stickers!
Today is World Smile Day®! Stop by the library after 9:15am to pick up an individually packaged Jarosch Bakery masked smiley face cookie and an "I Can Show Kindness" Activity Sheet with stickers. Available at the Youth Services Reference Desk, while supplies last. Turn someone's not-so-happy "Spot of Kindness" sticker (see below video read aloud) into a smiley one by showing them kindness today!
In 1963, Harvey Ball, a commercial artist, created the iconic smiley face symbol. That image went on to become the most recognized symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet. As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned that the original meaning and intent of his smiley face symbol had become lost because of its constant repetition in the marketplace. Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day®. He thought we should all devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. In 1999, he declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®.
"The moral of the story is to help the world to smile. You do an act of kindness, you go the extra mile. For what you do comes back to you in just a little while, for goodness is contagious and it's never out of style!" This fun music video of the "The Smiley Face Song (Ballad of Harvey Ball)" is about how Smiley came to be, contains original illustrations by Harvey Ball, was written by his son Charlie Ball, and performed with Plainfolk and the Smiley Face Chorus.
It can be hard to see people being bad to each other on the news. How can you feel better? Watch the video read aloud of the book, "A Little Spot of Kindness", written and illustrated by Diane Alber, and discover your power to make the world better through kindness.
Through funny cartoon animal characters, learn what you can do to make kindness a daily habit in the video read aloud of his book, "Try a Little Kindness", written and illustrated by Henry Cole.
When a young girl named Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate wants to make her feel better and remembers that Mom always says, “Be kind.” But what does it mean to be kind? Find out when you watch the read aloud of this book, "Be Kind", written by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jen Hill.
When a kindergarten class gets rowdy, Mrs. Ruler knows just what to do. She’s about to teach a new golden rule: KINDNESS IS COOL! Can one class really make a difference? Watch the video read aloud of the book, "Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler", written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa, to get inspired to have a heart and help the world!
"Joy and Heron" is an Oscar-winning short animated film about a lovable small dog (Joy) and a pesky Heron. Out on a fishing trip, Joy tries not to rock his master’s boat while defending it from the worm-stealing bird. What will Joy do when she discovers why the Heron is looking for worms? "Joy and Heron" is a touching story of kindness and reciprocation that is not to be missed.
Watch this cute "Color Your World with Kindness" video. We hope you will color someone's world today to doing something kind!
Sing along to Sprout's "Kindness is a Muscle" official lyric music video. Every day we can make our hearts grow stronger by showing one another that kindness counts!
We also have many fiction and nonfiction books about kindness at the library. Browse our collection while you are at the library or reserve some online for curbside pickup.
If you have an EGVPL card, you can also search for ebooks on Hoopla Digital.
Happy World Smile Day! Exercise your kindness muscle and make someone smile!