A cloudy background featuring the title of the United Way Book, "The Kindness Booth"

The Kindness Booth Book

Spreading Kindness through Reading!

When Mya wakes up to a gloomy day, her grandpa asks her how she could make the day brighter. His simple question puts Mya into motion, and together with her little brother, Oliver, and neighbor Addie, she opens the Kindness Booth. Their plan is to spread some sunshine to the neighbors in her apartment complex by helping them throughout the day. But what happens when the booth gets rained out?

Released in 2024 through Capstone, The Kindness Booth children's book is part of Greater Mankato Area United Way's early learning and literacy initiative. The book follows a group of friends who set out to make the day brighter for their neighborhood through acts of kindness. It is geared toward PreK-Grade 2.

The Kindness Booth was written by Greater Mankato Area United Way's Laura Murray. It was illustrated by Italy-based Andrea Boatta.

Proceeds from the sales of this book benefit Greater Mankato Area United Way's work.

Thank you to Capstone for supporting this initiative! Additional support provided by the Olseth Family Foundation, Lime Valley Advertising, Lloyd Lumber, Navitor Specialty Products, and Sign Pro.

VIEW THE BOOK FLYER

View The Kindness Booth Activity Kit

How to Purchase

Book sales benefit Greater Mankato Area United Way. Please contact us if your business is interested in selling the book.

Barnes & Noble store in Mankato
Amazon online
Barnes & Noble online

You can also purchase a signed hardcover book at Greater Mankato Area United Way for $20. Cash, check, credit card, or Venmo (Greater Mankato Area United Way) accepted. A 3% fee will be added to credit card payments. If you would like to pay ahead of your visit, you can purchase via credit card here. You can add your personalization request in the Comments. We will contact you when your order is ready for pickup.

The author Laura would be happy to visit with children to share about the book. Contact us ahead of time and Laura will be sure to be in office when you come.

Upcoming Events

As part of this initiative, United Way hosts children's story times, school visits, author signings and other community events throughout the year! We hope you can join us. Please contact us to schedule a presentation or book signing

Thank you to:

Eagle Lake Elementary
The Free Press Mankato
Kato Living
KEYC News Now
Lake Crystal Lions Club
Mankato Kiwanis
Mankato Sertoma
Mankato Rotary
North Mankato Taylor Library
Radio Mankato
River Valley Woman
Rotary Club of Waseca
St. Peter Public Library
United Ways of Minnesota
Waseca Pioneer
Zonta Club of Mankato

The Kindness Booth Partnership

“With United Way’s focus on childhood literacy and development, I have had the long-time goal of releasing our own picture book. This book has a beautiful message centered on kindness, which is foundational at every age. We are thrilled to partner with Capstone on this initiative and can’t wait to see this book in the hands of children throughout our region and beyond.” - Barb Kaus, Greater Mankato Area United Way CEO

“We’re delighted to partner with the Greater Mankato Area United Way on this very special book project near and dear to our hearts. As a publisher of books for kids for more than 30 years, and as long-time partners on the United Way’s Books For Kids program, we know firsthand the impact books have on children’s lives. The Kindness Booth has themes of kindness and relationship building, and we can’t think of a more fitting partner to create this book with than the Greater Mankato Area United Way. We are honored to help fund community initiatives in Capstone’s hometown with a portion of the book’s proceeds. - Beth Brezenoff, Capstone VP of Publishing

Local Kindness + Literacy Initiative

As part of the initiative, Capstone has donated paperback copies of the book for Greater Mankato Area United Way to distribute to all first-graders within Greater Mankato Area United Way's service area of Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet and Waseca counties. Thank you to Capstone for their continued partnership and commitment to literacy in our region!