Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty, Newly Released, 30th Anniversary Edition

Title: Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty (30th Anniversary Edition)

Authors: Anne Herbert, Paloma Pavel, Mayumi Oda

Foreword: Desmond Mpilo Tutu

Publisher: New Village Press Distributor: NYU Press
Publication Date: April 9, 2024
Pages: 40
Trim: 6.9 x 8.1 inches

Illustrations: Color illustrated throughout Signed Signed Hardcover Price: $25.00

A Parable of Hope and Peace for All Ages

With beautifully crafted words and exuberant watercolor illustrations, Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty offers a poetic and empowering message for world peace. Recognizing "we are right on the edge of destroying ourselves," this modern allegory inspires taking joyful steps to end violence. It expands upon the idea that "we are all in the circle together," and presents a timeless parable for readers of all ages. In the playful style of 12th century Japanese picture scrolls, Mayumi Oda's art depicts humans as animals who lose their way when their leaders become confused and drawn to violence. The message of this book is the sweet realization that each person can become an agent of goodness and beauty.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Anne Herbert is perhaps best known for coining the phrases “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” and “Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” She was an American writer and past editor of CoEvolution Quarterly, a precursor to the Whole Earth Review.

Margaret Paloma Pavel is an international advocate of healthy, just, and resilient urban communities.

She is founder and president of Earth House of Oakland, California, founder of the Eco-Justice film series in the San Francisco Bay Area, and editor of Breakthrough Communities: Sustainability and Justice in the Next American Metropolis. Dr. Pavel holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard University as well as degrees in psychology and economics.

Mayumi Oda, known to many as the “Matisse of Japan,” has exhibited over 50 one-woman shows throughout the world. Her artwork is part of the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York; The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Yale University Art Gallery; the Library of Congress; and many others. She has authored books about her own creative life, including Sarasvati’s Gift, Goddesses, and I Opened the Gate Laughing. She has also illustrated several books for notable authors, including the esteemed Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. In addition to her work as an artist, Mayumi Oda has spent many years of her life as a global activist participating in anti-nuclear campaigns worldwide.

PRAISE

“This exquisite book offers guidance to us all.”

—Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple

“It distills—in ordinary, inspired language—all we need to know right now in order to let our lives count in building a sustainable world. It tells us about the kind of power we each have right now to take a choice—and the delight that can be ours, if we are not afraid to seize it.”

—Joanna Macy, author, Buddhist scholar, environmental activist

“Wow! This book is amazing. The message is so important and relevant! I believe that we all have the power! I love the way this book sends this message of goodness to children. Children are the future and this book conveys HOPE! It is rich in language, thought provoking and positive.”

—Marla Conn, Common Core Curriculum Standards assessment specialist

“We are right on the edge of discovering millions of ways of coming together, being together, and moving forward together. . . Each of us has the power to create the change we want to bring about in the world.”

—Maria Shriver, after reading an excerpt from Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty to viewers

In 1982 Anne Herbert write "Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty." This beautiful precept began to appear everywhere–on garden gates, on bumper stickers and posters and in books.

Today, she has joined with Margaret Pavel to expand her statement into a powerful message for our times, and for all ages.

Mayumi Oda's art merges with the text as if they were created together. For Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty, she derives her style from picture scrolls entitled Chojugiga: Frolicking Animals, said to have been drawn during the 12th century Heian Period in Japan.

Signed by Mayumi