**Goldie Hawn Launches New Children’s Book Series to Promote Kindness and Empathy**
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Goldie Hawn, the renowned Oscar-winning actress and founder of the mental health initiative MindUP, has unveiled her first children’s book, *The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1*. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hawn shared the inspiration behind her new venture and the significant themes it aims to convey.
The book is co-authored with Lin Oliver and serves as the foundational piece in a planned series. It encapsulates the principles of Hawn’s MindUP programme, which focuses on mental wellbeing through neuroscience, positive psychology, and social-emotional learning. This initiative, which she launched following the devastating events of 9/11, was created in response to the alarming rise in anxiety and depression among young people.
Reflecting on the impetus for MindUP, Hawn recounted a poignant moment during the aftermath of the attacks. “I was knitting the American flag and crying because the world had changed forever,” she says. This emotional response led her to seek avenues for support and guidance for children grappling with distress. MindUP has since reached millions across 48 countries, teaching kids how to understand and manage their emotions through techniques Hawn calls “brain breaks,” which include practising deep breathing and mindfulness.
In her new book, *The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1*, Hawn introduces readers to three unique fourth-grade friends, Mia, River, and Tony, who embark on an adventure to find a home for a shelter dog. Hawn emphasises the themes of kindness, empathy, and caring throughout the story. “In these stories, we’re building areas of empathetic behaviour. Why? Because empathy can be taught,” she remarked.
Despite the integration of educational elements from MindUP, Hawn assures readers that the portrayal is far from a traditional classroom lesson. “It’s really, really satisfying to apply MindUP to children’s literature, providing experiential and humorous options. Fun must be at the forefront of our stories,” she added, stressing the importance of engagement for young audiences.
Hawn’s granddaughter, 12-year-old Rio, had the privilege of reading the book before its release and gave her grandmother an enthusiastic review, commending its humour. Hawn, who has four adult children and eight grandchildren with her long-term partner Kurt Russell, was thrilled to receive such positive feedback from her family.
The collaboration between Hawn and Oliver blossomed from the outset. Oliver, a seasoned children’s author, expressed her admiration for Hawn, stating, “There’s no way not to hit it off with [Hawn].” Their creative partnership flourished as they discussed how to incorporate fundamental MindUP principles into the narrative. Oliver’s contributions focused on crafting engaging text, complementing Hawn’s passion for the subject matter.
Looking ahead, Hawn has three additional books in the pipeline for the series, revealing a sneak peek into the next story, which features a talent show. “They get into a lot of fun situations,” she promised, hinting at the adventures that lie ahead for the characters.
*The After-School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose #1* is officially set to hit the shelves on May 5 and is currently available for preorder at various retailers. Through this upcoming series, Hawn aims to instil the values of kindness and empathy in the younger generation, providing them with both entertainment and essential life skills.
For those interested in learning more about Goldie Hawn’s journey and her advocacy for mental health, more insights can be found in the latest issue of PEOPLE.