The Flood of Kindness
written by De'Ante Webster, 8 years old
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We hope this book will help there be more kindness in the world.
It’s for kids who are going through big weather events.
It’s also for kids who have lost someone close to them.
This story is about what happened after Hurricane Katrina. In it, a boy’s memory of his best friend, who died in the flood, helps return the magic of Kindness to New Orleans after anger, division, and mistrust had taken over.​
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Let’s work together,
De’Ante Webster and Laurie Marshall
De'Ante Webster, Author
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I want kids to learn how the power of kindness can change your life and the life of others. I want to bring to light the story of Hurricane Katrina and how devastating it was to the people who lived in New Orleans at the time. I feel like this story can reach out to people around the world. If it reaches New Orleans, I would be very proud and honored.
The world today needs more kindness right now.
The world is in the state of anger and hate, like it was in my book that was written several years ago. I hope that all Americans can start the healing process.
Laurie Marshall, Illustrator
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I am Dee’s godmother. I met his grandmother, Jackie Webster, in 1963 when I was 14 at a Quaker Summer Workcamp. It was run by the American Friends Service Committee. I stayed at her house for the next two summers. She was the star softball player, a person of authenticity, steadfastness and courage. I learned about segregation and the impact of racism on people I loved. Jackie's high school counselor told her she shouldn’t take college prep classes because she was only going to clean houses. She went to college and became an educator.
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Jackie became a part of our family and my sisters and I became a part of hers. Jackie and I camped with a group of young people on two-month Quaker trip to the Soviet Union in 1967. We travelled through American wilderness and a Navajo reservation in 1973. We camped in Canada and Maine with my family. She has been my teacher and dear friend for over 50 years. We have both devoted ourselves to the well-being of young people.
