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The Value of Kindness: The Story of Elizabeth Fry (Valuetales)

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In this installment of the ValueTales series, Spencer Johnson teaches us the value of kindness by examining the life of Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845).

The book tells of you Elizabeth, a girl growing up in a wealthy British family. Elizabeth saw that she had an easier life than many people. She began visiting people at the local hospital to make them happier while they got well. When she was older, Elizabeth visited women in Newgate Prison. She worked to make their surroundings healthier and to provide them with education that would improve their lives. Elizabeth persuaded others to help--and started one of the largest prison reform movements in history.

Like other books in the ValueTales series, this book uses a real-life person to exemplify an important value. It is suitable for reading by children in the later elementary school grades. A "Historical Facts" section at the book's end summarizes Fry's life in a single-page bio form suitable for adults.

Closing quote: "Perhaps, like Elizabeth Fry, you might like to think about how good you feel when you are kind. Of course, you may decide to bring kindness into your own life in a very different way, indeed. But whatever you decide to do, let's hope it is something that will make you a happier person... Just like our good friend Elizabeth Fry." (pp. 58-60)