Michael Hall’s 2025 picture book Punch! A Story About Kindness is another title that could be classed as SEL (social-emotional learning), though it is also rich in wordplay and has engaging illustrations–blocky images that are more expressive than they should be able to be. (Hall was a graphic designer before moving into children’s books, and brings a fine sense of composition to his work, which doesn’t look like anyone else’s.)
In this book, Badger’s in a bad mood, and goes looking for trouble. He finds it, tripping Frog, shoving Moose, kicking Elephant, and poking Bear with a shovel.
In response, Bear makes a “plan to teach that Badger a lesson.” Then starts the essence of the book. Each animal approaches Badger while he’s doing something, often sneakily, and does something. The word and presentation suggest violence, but the reality is kindness. For example, Bear delivers a sudden “Punch!” (in orange letters larger than the other text on the page). However, when you turn the page, you see Bear pouring some punch for Badger.
Frog and Moose follow this with similarly surprising reversals–large, bright, violent words, which are really acts of kindness. Elephant does the same.
The result, then, is not revenge in response to Badger’s actions, as I expected, but turning the other cheek and acting kindly, which loops Badger back into being a friend.
Inventive and visually appealing.
