The Manhattan Beach Library is celebrating Kindness Week by featuring a special childrens' book collection and hosting a story hour on Thursday, November 13, in honor of World Kindness Day.

The books are showcased in a display that allows people to "grab and go" with a variety of stories. Thursday's 10:15 a.m. story time will feature books from the collection about compassion and thoughtfulness. Additionally, a "Kindness Tree" in the children's section asks children and adults to place a leaf that contains a message about kindness.

The collection grew out of a gift and idea from Janet Jones, a former Manhattan Beach Library Commissioner. Jones proposed to the LA County Library Foundation that she would give a $1000 donation in order to supply a variety of children's books that would focus on the importance of "random acts of kindness" and beyond - and the library foundation agreed.

As of May, the kindness books collection included 60 titles, ranging from picture books for young readers to chapter books for older ones. Since then, donations from local residents and from GG's Family Foundation in Manhattan Beach have resulted in ordering nearly 200 additional books that are soon to be delivered.

The book collection, while housed in Manhattan Beach, is available to families throughout all 86 branches of the LA County Library system. A library card holder can reserve any books, which are then delivered to the specified branch.

Manhattan Beach Mayor David Lesser appeared at the library on Monday in support of the initiative.

'I'm grateful to Janet Jones for making it possible to purchase books that promote a simple but essential idea in these divisive times -- kindness," said Lesser. "When an adult reads one of the books to a young person, it encourages shared values in how we treat one another. The Kindness for Kids Books initiative is a step in the right direction for making all of us better people."