KINDergarten, Vera Ahiyya
KINDergarten, Vera Ahiyya
List: $5.00 | Sale: $3.50
Club: $2.50

KINDergarten
Where Kindness Matters Every Day

Author: Vera Ahiyya

Narrator: Vera Ahiyya

Unabridged: 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/21/2022


Synopsis

Written by kindergarten teacher and Instagram influencer affectionately known as the Tutu Teacher, comes an audiobook about a class that creates a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be.

It’s the first day of Kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. She explained that they would be making a kindness pledge, and each student should bring one way to show kindness on the first day.
 
As it turns out, Leo’s classmates have lots of ideas about kindness: like raising your hand, never leaving anyone out, and apologizing if you hurt someone’s feelings. At the end of the first day, Ms. Perry asks if anyone witnessed something they’d like her to add to the kindness pledge? Lots of hands shoot up in the air. Several classmates say they noticed Leo returning crayons to the box, holding the door for everyone, and helping a friend who fell. Leo smiles as he realizes he really does know a lot about kindness after all. 
 
A story reassuringly told by Vera Ahiyya, this story about a classroom coming together to make a kindergarten into a KINDergarten is sure to calm the nerves—and offer inspiration—to new kindergartners and the adults in their lives.

About The Author

Vera Ahiyya has taught Kindergarten and first grade for the last 15 years in Austin, Boston, and Brooklyn. Vera’s online presence is dedicated to influencing other educators by spreading her vast knowledge and love of diverse children’s books. Vera’s unwavering commitment to social justice and diversity is also the focal point of her professional development presentations for other educators. Vera lives in Brooklyn with her husband Lonnell and her dog, Mozi.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Cara

You can tell this book is written by a early childhood teacher - someone who sees the full humanity and uniqueness of her students and writes a book that acknowledges that while encouraging them to be kind. Very sweet! Small note: I'd love to know how to pronounce Xochitl correctly (like "sew cheel"......more

Goodreads review by Alison

This is a perfect book to read to your child before they start school or for a read aloud in a kindergarten class. Kids will relate to little Leo’s big feelings as he begins his first day of school and learns all about his new surroundings, friends, and expectations. The illustrations are bright and......more

Goodreads review by Read

Instagram influencer Vera Ahiyya (The Tutu Teacher) creates a book about the first day of Kindergarten as the class discovers what the KIND in kindergarten is all about by mking a Kindness Pledge poster. The Paper cover for the book actually flips over into a kindness pledge poster. The story is tol......more

Goodreads review by Barbara

Not every child is loud and eager to share his/her/their thoughts or information about themselves. This picture book demonstrates how important it is to make all children feel welcome at school. In the case of Leo, a welcoming letter from his future kindergarten teacher, Ms. Perry, makes him anxious......more


Quotes

★ "Ahiyya tunes into her upbeat, proactively compassionate vibe in this story of an introverted kindergartner tenderly guided through an uncertain first day by a teacher devoted to the power of kindness." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Will help alleviate fears and start kids thinking about ways to create their own KINDergartens." —Kirkus Reviews

"A wonderful book to read aloud on the first day of kindergarten so classes could create their own kindness pledge." —School Library Journal