Helping Out Is Cool

Elizabeth Levin is a professor of psychology at Laurentian University.

This book is intended to encourage children to become lifelong
volunteers in their communities. Planting a neighborhood garden, feeding
the homeless, and visiting seniors are among the activities depicted.
The book’s underlying message is that helping others makes one feel
good about oneself. The text, which features childlike printing that
waves across the page (and might in fact be difficult for young readers
to follow), is accompanied by colorful cartoonlike illustrations, and
there is a brief section at the end of the book designed to assist
teachers in developing associated activities. Rather than becoming a
child’s personal favorite, this small volume is more likely to be used
by teachers or group leaders to initiate discussions and helping-out
activities. Recommended.