The One Book One Community 2025 campus read is Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness by Houston Kraft. This insightful book focuses on how important kindness is in the world and our interactions with one another, along with how to move beyond surface kindness.

This book will resonate with many on campus — from students to faculty and staff — to highlight the need to listen, be empathetic and care for one another. The author, Kraft, is an internationally known speaker on this topic and a part of the institutionalization of curriculum for thousands of K-12 schools around the world centered on "deep kindness."

"Deep Kindness is a book for everyone — even the skeptic. In a raw and real and relatable way, Houston Kraft takes you on a journey to challenge your notion of what kindness means and exactly why deep kindness can heal and transform our world. You will smile and, most likely, tear up. You will learn and be pushed outside of your comfort zone. And, most importantly, you will end up with a greater understanding of why kindness actually matters."— Jaclyn Lindsey, co-founder and CEO of kindness.org

Organizers look forward to the events surrounding his visit Nov. 17-18. There will be a keynote at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 and a luncheon on the Nov. 18. Ancillary events are also being planned and book clubs being formed. If you would like to help plan one or have an idea for an event, please reach out to onebook@uark.edu. 

Instructors are welcome to add the book to their fall classes as a supplementary read; there will be a discussion guide available. The book is currently being used in English Comp I and sociology courses for over 2,000 students! Organizers will have free book giveaways, too, in the fall.

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About Houston Kraft: The author has spoken at over 600 events internationally. In 2016, he co-founded CharacterStrong, which currently serves 10,000 schools across 50 states and 36 countries helping to support the teaching of kindness in education. In 2019, his face was featured on Lays BBQ chip bags as someone who helps "spread smiles." In 2020, his first book, Deep Kindness, was published by Simon & Schuster. He has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, Hallmark, Katie Couric and more as an expert on developing a more empathetic, kind world.