Kindness Glows in the Dark

By: Gama Valle

Published by Barefoot Books, Incorporated, 2026-06-02

A story about how a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

"Please, don't tell anyone," says Kamil.

Nube promises.

Nube knows someone has been stealing from her family's garden, and she's determined to catch whoever it is. But she never would have guessed that the person stealing is her friend Kamil. He helped her when she fell, he likes to share with everyone, and he always insists they let the cucubanos that they catch go. Why would someone so kind do something wrong?

Nube promises Kamil not to tell anyone about the stealing, but when she tells her best friend, word gets out and no one wants to play with Kamil. Through little acts of kindness and friendship, Nube tries to make it up to him. She discovers that Kamil's life at home isn't like hers, and that sharing helps everyone.

• Set in Puerto Rico in the Cordillera Central region.
• Teaches kids about food insecurity and economic differences in an accessible way.
• Endnotes provide further information about Cordillera Central, food insecurity, and a candied papaya recipe..