Just-in Time to Be Kind Review
Just-in Time to Be Kind, written by Michele Hornsby and illustrated by Rizkia Gita, tells the story of Justin – a young boy who is a superhero. Justin’s superhero power is showing up just in time to be kind.
This sweet and inspirational story follows Justin as he runs errands with his mom, plays at the park with friends, and even finds and rescues a lost puppy. Everywhere he goes, Justin notices people (and animals) who could use some kindness and help.
Over the course of his day, Justin helps an elderly woman with her groceries and shares some of his favorite snacks with a homeless man and his dogs. Later, he invites a new kid to play basketball with him and his friends, and even finds and rescues a dog who follows him home.
Throughout the story, Justin is perceptive of and empathetic toward those around him. Readers learn that everyone can be kind, and that kindness is deeply powerful.
This book was such an uplifting and encouraging read! Rather than directly preaching kindness, it demonstrated how one boy’s kindness made a positive impact on others and was even exciting and fun for him.
These types of indirect messages are, in my opinion, the most impactful. They allow my child to realize the message for herself and to internalize it in a more personal way. After reading this book together, she told me she had some ideas of her own for being kind to others!
I also really enjoyed the range of kindness demonstrated – from helping the elderly, to extending compassion to the homeless, to including other children in play, to rescuing animals. It helps readers to think more broadly about how and where kindness can be applied, rather than focusing on one specific need.
Another point that stood out to me was how Justin not only helped others, but introduced himself first and asked the other person their name. I know my own child is shy and hesitant to talk to others. This story offered a gentle nudge to demonstrate how introducing yourself and taking the time to hear what someone has to say can build a meaningful connection (and isn’t as scary as you might believe!).
And let’s be honest…we loved the dog! The illustrator artfully included hints that the puppy had followed Justin home several pages before Justin noticed and helped the puppy, allowing readers to practice noticing needs on their own!
Overall, this is a deeply inspirational story that kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy. You can find Just-in Time to be Kind on Amazon.
Just-in Time to be Kind Author Interview
Want to learn more about author Michele Hornsby? I did too! She was gracious enough to field a few questions and share what’s next for her!
Deb: Just-in Time to Be Kind offers a beautiful story of demonstrating kindness to others in practical ways. What inspired you to write it?
Michele: We lost our son, Justin, in 2017 at the age of 26. After a long battle with addiction, he took his own life here on our property. In the early days and sleepless nights after he died, I found myself often reliving memories of his childhood. I wrote the entire story in my head during one of those sleepless nights. I envisioned the entire book, page by page.
It took a couple of years to get the story out of my head and on paper. After much encouragement from my husband, Ray, I submitted it to Lerner Publishing. They immediately agreed to publish his story. Justin was truly a KIND child who LOVED helping others. At a very young age, he was able to really SEE people and he always acted on any opportunity he could to help others. Each of the little scenes in the book are events I recall from his childhood.
Deb: My daughter was excited to find your book insert about how readers can join Justin’s superhero mission of kindness! Can you tell us more about your vision for this acts of kindness movement?
Michele: Awe, I am pleased and happy to hear about your daughter’s excitement!!! We, too, are excited. Soon, we will be sending out “Special Editions” of Just-In Time To Be Kind. They will have an insert in the front and back asking children to read the book, then find an opportunity for “intentional kindness”. Act on that opportunity and share it with our social pages. Our hope is the reader will pass the book along to another and continue the effect. The premise is “Anyone Can Join Justin’s Journey to be Just-in Time to be Kind!” The goal is to have social media spread the message of how to recognize kindness, act on the opportunity, and spread it as far as possible.
As posts begin to spread, we plan to offer Just-In Time To Be Kind merchandise to the most creative intentional acts of kindness. We will have Superhero Just-In Time To Be Kind, superhero capes, and other unique items as prizes for being Superheroes of Kindness.
Deb: In the story, Justin’s mom played a huge role in his kindness mentality, treating it like a superhero power and helping him to navigate practical ways of helping others. Do you have any suggestions for parents who want to help cultivate kindness in their children?
Michele: I’m not big on advice, all children are so very different. Justin actually taught me a lot about how to LOOK for simple ways to help others. We often played games similar to “I spy” looking for opportunities to make someone’s day.
We taught him early in life that being kind is something everyone can do, if they decide to.
Justin was often referred to as a friend to the friendless. It is our prayer that is how he will be remembered.
Deb: Rizkia Gita did a fantastic job of illustrating your story and even hiding little Easter eggs, like the puppy running down the sidewalk as Justin was returning home from errands. Do you have any favorite illustrations or pages?
Michele: That’s a tough one, because, as you say, she did a WONDERFUL JOB!!! I was very concerned about a stranger capturing the essence of Justin. I had already envisioned what his character should look like and I knew it had to be perfect.
She was always amazingly patient with me, helping to make the book what I hoped for.
My favorite is the page at the end where Mom comes in for the nighttime story. It’s exactly what his childhood room looked like and it reminds me so much of that precious time in our lives.
Deb: You have a farm with an important mission (and adorable animals!) of your own! Can you tell us about Redbird Willow Farm?
Michele: This could be a VERY LONG answer, but to sum it up: We started the farm with the idea of getting of a few goats to clear an area to make a memorial for Justin. It was during the pandemic and like the rest of the world, my husband and I were both home all the time.
We brought seven little Pygmy goats to our property and one little stall. Those little goats didn’t do a very good job of clearing land, but they did a great job of starting me on a genuine journey of true healing.
I noticed that when I was around them, it made me feel closer to Justin and to God. It was helping to heal the disparity and debilitating sadness I felt. My faith slowly began to be restored as I argued with God, prayed, and scooped the poop.
I told God, all I can do is FALL forward. I will trust in you again, but he needed to lay very clear stepping stones for me to know what to do next.
The very next thing he did was put a pregnant llama named Justine in our path. She delivered her baby llama on International Bereaved Mother’s Day. It was my first stepping stone.
As I continued to learn and spend more time at our little farm, we added more animals (mainly more llamas) and we started offering Comfort Sessions for other grieving Moms.
I’ve experienced and witnessed how much comfort animals can give to people who are hurting.
To know the full story, read our Mission Statement.
Deb: What’s your vision for the future of your writing? Do you have more books in the works? Or any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
Michele: This was my first endeavor, and the success is certainly motivating. I do have a couple of ideas for other stories in mind. I’d like to continue to follow the theme of kindness and Justin’s legacy. I’ve yet to put anything on paper but the ideas are running around in my head for sure. I am very excited about the possibilities. We are looking forward to the “Joining Justin’s Journey To Kindness” project for certain.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Michele!
You can purchase Just-in Time to Be Kind on Amazon, Target, Walmart, Lerner, Willow Lane Education, the author’s website or Facebook page, or by emailing Michele directly at [email protected]. Learn more about Just-In Time to Be Kind on the author’s website and Facebook page, and follow Redbird Willow Farm on its website and Facebook page. Happy reading!
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