Inspired by the real-life Dude. Be Nice Project, a video series with more than 80 million views, the book DUDE. BE NICE, blends laugh-out-loud moments with important social-emotional lessons for kids (and a few reminders for grown-ups, too). It’s a hilarious and heartfelt picture book about what it really means to be kind—even when your good intentions go awry.
Dude is a well-meaning, egocentric, and overly enthusiastic Bear on a mission to be the nicest dude ever, regardless of what anyone else wants and even if his help isn’t always helpful, till he learns through a series of mishaps to consider the perspectives of others. With the support of his wise sidekick Fizz, Dude learns that real kindness isn’t about doing everything—it’s about listening, asking, and teaming up. When Dude unravels a sweater, frees some dogs, and ruins an ice cream social, he must reckon with the ramifications of his own niceness. Can Dude and his best friend Fizz save the day before Dude makes too big of a mess?
The Austin-based philanthropic organization dude. be nice (DBN) took the world by storm in 2014 through its promotion of positivity and kindness. DBN seeks to “build more positive communities, one video at a time” by celebrating everyday unsung heroes on their YouTube Channel. The DBN campaign is rooted in years of real-life school assemblies and student-led kindness projects.
Order the Book!
Order on Amazon • Barnes and Noble • PenguinRandomHouse.com
Look Inside
Videos
Animated Dude Dance
Dude Dance Video
How to DUDE dance
Kindness with Walker
Kid Says Something we Didn’t Expect #kindness #kidslearning #dudebenice
Plot Twist She Didn’t See Coming
An interview with the illustrator, Alex Macnaughton
Download the DUDE dance
Listen to the jingle/dude dance below or download the WAV file here.
Images
Credit: Alex Macnaughton
SEL Curriculum
Each lesson includes an intro, discussion questions, and an activity that brings the concept to life. The guide also teaches you how to “Do the Dude Dance.”
The DBN Movement
- Their website: Dude. Be Nice. | Build More Positive Communities
- Their videos: Official dude. be nice – YouTube