Goldie Hawn, the acclaimed actress and founder of the MindUP initiative, is set to release her second children’s book, *The After-School Kindness Crew: Slam Dunk Day*, on 10th November. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, she delved into the book’s core messages and her personal philosophy on kindness, providing insight into the creative process that fuels her storytelling.
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Hawn, who won an Academy Award for her work in *Cactus Flower* and is renowned for her roles in films like *Overboard* and *Private Benjamin*, has long been admired not just for her acting talents but also for her vibrant personality and optimistic outlook. She recently shared a piece of wisdom that hangs in her home: a needlepoint pillow inscribed with the phrase, “The smile you give is the one you get back.” For Hawn, this mantra encapsulates her belief in the transformative power of a simple smile.
“I smile at everybody,” she explains. Whether navigating an elevator in New York or walking through a bustling street, Hawn believes that spreading joy often brings joy back in return. “You do receive back because people actually return that,” she affirms, highlighting the mutual warmth that can emerge from everyday interactions.
Central to Hawn’s recent works is her commitment to fostering kindness in the youth. The *After-School Kindness Crew* series, co-authored with Lin Oliver, is a creative extension of MindUP, a preventative mental health programme she established in 2003. With this initiative, Hawn aims to educate children about emotional regulation and the functioning of the human brain. Her books serve as a further vessel to promote these values.
The first book in the series, *Pooch on the Loose*, follows the adventures of three primary school friends—Tony, River, and Mia—as they embark on a mission to find a home for an excitable shelter dog. The narrative cleverly intertwines themes of inclusivity, compassion, and empathy, aiming to engage young readers with both humour and heart.
In the upcoming *Slam Dunk Day*, the trio come across a local recluse named Hugo, initially considered to be an unpleasant figure by the children. After a mishap involving a basketball that lands in his yard, they are compelled to rethink their assumptions about him. “We had a house in my neighbourhood that everyone thought was haunted, but when we finally got to know the person living there, we discovered he was quite special,” Hawn recalls of her own childhood experiences. This deeply personal anecdote serves as the foundation for the characters’ journey in the book.
Hawn emphasises that the moral of the story transcends mere entertainment; it’s an invitation for readers to reflect on their perceptions of others. “If more people could actually accept the fact that they can be wrong, and that it’s not a bad thing to be wrong, it’s how we learn,” she elaborates, underscoring a vital lesson in humility and open-mindedness.
In addition to her literary pursuits, Hawn is a devoted mother and grandmother. With four children and eight grandchildren whom she lovingly refers to as her “angels,” she has a vested interest in cultivating a love for literacy among the younger generation. “I want to help excite them around things that they’re learning and make it fun to read,” she notes, reflecting her desire to promote joy in learning.
The inaugural book in the *After-School Kindness Crew* series enjoyed immediate success, landing on the New York Times Bestseller list shortly after its release. While Hawn has two previous bestsellers—*A Lotus Grows in the Mud* and the guided journal *10 Mindful Minutes*—she admits to feeling pleasantly surprised by her literary achievements, expressing her gratitude and delight at the positive reception of her work.
As anticipation builds for *The After-School Kindness Crew: Slam Dunk Day*, Hawn remains committed to her mission of instilling important values in young readers through engaging narratives. The book is already available for pre-order and is sure to captivate audiences when it officially launches in November. For readers seeking a compelling story that champions kindness and understanding, Hawn’s latest offering promises to be a touching addition to any child’s bookshelf.
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