Twelve-Year-Old Orion Jean to Publish Children's Book on Kindness and Character

By Timothy Yap Aug 09, 2023 07:41 AM EDT

Zonderkidz is pleased to announce that 12-year-old Orion Jean, the 2021 TIME Magazine Kid of the Year, will publish a children's picture book titled Race to Kindness, releasing May 7, 2024.

Illustrated by Darshika Varma, the book is inspired by Orion's accomplishments of getting over a half million books donated to children and collecting over 100,000 meals for the food insecure in his community and across the country, all beginning when he was 9.

The book shows a boy who takes on small acts of kindness - like a smile or a wave - to bigger actions - where everyone matters and everyone can make a difference. Based on Orion's Be K.I.N.D. initiative, the characters in the book use the letters in the word kind to "Keep your eyes open," "Include others," think about how "Nothing is too small" and to"Do something about it" when someone is struggling or facing a challenge.

This one book deal with Jean was acquired by Katherine Easter, Acquisitions Editor for Zonderkidz/HarperCollins, for world rights.

"Orion's story was so inspiring to us and we want to help him reach more young readers with this message of kindness to do what they can, from wherever they are. Working with Orion and his family has been a true joy! His passion fits our publishing mission so well," says Megan Dobson, Vice President and Publisher of Zonderkidz.

More information on Jean and the new book can be found here: www.racetokindnessbook.com His profile as the 2021 TIME Kid of the Year when he was 11 can be found here: https://time.com/6144632/kid -of -the -year -2021 -orion -jean/ Orion makes his home in Mansfield, Texas where he looks forward to attending 8th grade this fall.

The book is now available for pre-orders wherever books are sold. Advance review copies of the book and media interviews are available upon request; please contact Publicity Director Jessica Westra at jessica.westra@harpercollins.com. A full media tour is planned for May 2024.

Race to Kindness