The Positive Trail (Walk by the Way Books)

The Positive Trail is a heartwarming children's picture book about kindness, responsibility, gratitude, and the lasting impact of small thoughtful actions.

Young Leora Davidson is preparing for her very first trip away from her siblings as she visits family members in her mother's hometown. Before dropping her off at her first stop, Leora's father shares an important lesson he calls "The Positive Trail"-to leave every place a little nicer than she found it.

As Leora travels from home to home, she begins putting that lesson into practice through simple acts of kindness and helpfulness. At her aunt and uncle's house, she helps younger cousins clean up toys and tidies the yard after a storm. While staying with Grandma, she keeps her room neat, cleans up after herself, and leaves behind thoughtful little notes. Later, while helping prepare for a family reunion, Leora carefully tends a flower garden and creates beautiful flower arrangements for the gathering.

Through these everyday moments, Leora discovers that kindness does not have to be grand or dramatic. Small thoughtful actions-helping clean up, caring for others, showing gratitude, and being respectful-can brighten someone's day and leave a lasting impact.

Written in a gentle read-aloud style, The Positive Trail encourages young readers to practice compassion, responsibility, cooperation, and care for others in their daily lives. The story naturally introduces important social-emotional learning themes such as empathy, gratitude, helpfulness, respect, and positive character.

Filled with warm family relationships and uplifting moments, this wholesome picture book is perfect for bedtime reading, classroom discussions, homeschool lessons, and family story time. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers will appreciate the story's encouraging message and relatable examples of kindness in action.

Perfect for ages 4-8, The Positive Trail reminds children that even the smallest acts of goodness can make the world around them a little brighter and a little better.

Kristine Gondek is a mother, wife, artist, author, and illustrator. She grew up just a block from her local library, often found with her nose in a book. Her love for the written word only deepened over the years, as she read picture books and novels aloud to her own children and joined her local Literary Society with her daughters.The Walk By the Way series marks her first literary endeavor, created in collaboration with her three eldest daughters. Through her work, Kristine hopes to inspire and uplift, encouraging the next generation by shining a light on the good in the world.

Tristan is the eldest daughter in her family. She grew up surrounded by stories, listening to read-alouds that sparked her own deep love of books. A gifted artist, Tristan works primarily in acrylics, drawing, and watercolor, using her creativity to capture the beauty she observes in the world around her. She also finds joy in gardening and has a keen eye for the natural details others might overlook.Tristan is excited to begin this new literary and artistic journey alongside her mother and sisters, combining their shared love of storytelling and creativity.

Peyton is an avid reader and enthusiastic book collector. As both a photographer and artist, she loves capturing the beauty in the world around her through the lens and on canvas. Her creative interests also include painting, drawing, and fashion design-skills she often brings together through sewing and styling.In the Walk By the Way series, Peyton contributed to both the storytelling and illustration, with a particular focus on the fashion and outfits worn by the characters. She is excited to share this creative journey with her mother and sisters.