The Book of Kindness by Egor Klopenko - [Book review]

Book Details:

Title: The Book of Kindness

Author: Egor Klopenko

Genre: Children's books, Children's literature

Publisher: Independently Published

Print Length: 32 pages

Reading Age: 3 to 9 yrs

Source: A review copy from the author

Blurb:

The Book of Kindness by Egor Klopenko is a heartfelt selection of poetic stories for young children, using vivid imagery and simple language to introduce themes of compassion and generosity. Through memorable scenes and characters—like the magical imaginary birds called “kindwings” fluttering around town spreading kindness, and the little girl, whose seeds of kindness turn into a flower—Klopenko helps young readers understand empathy in a relatable way.

 The book emphasizes family dynamics, presenting universal figures such as “Mommy,” “Daddy,” and “the little girl” or “the little boy” to ensure any child can see themselves reflected in the stories. A key strength is Klopenko’s ability to connect shared themes across different tales. This subtle storytelling approach helps young readers build cognitive skills by recognizing how similar values appear in different contexts. 

Thoughtful, universal, and filled with warmth, The Book of Kindness offers more than just heartwarming tales; it fosters early learning, empathy, and a growing understanding of kindness in the world around them.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

My Review:

This is the first book in the series of 'The World of Kindness", but can be read and enjoyed separately. I loved this amazing collection of short stories, which explains kindness in simple words with multiple examples.

This is a good bedtime read for kids, especially those aged above 5 years. We need kindness in this world to reduce mental health issues and make our Earth a better place for our future generation. 

I love the way the author explains different ways of showing kindness, lifting up others, and making others cheerful. The illustrations are excellent. Beautiful pictures show every act of kindness so that it's easy for kids to imagine how a kind world would be. The narrative is easy-going and simple. The book cover is good, but not as good as the illustrations inside.

I would definitely recommend this book as a gift option for kids aged 5 to 10 years.

My Rating: 5/5

PS: I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Until next time,

Hiking Gorman Falls with Kids: A Fun Day Trip to Texas Hill Country

Located about two hours northwest of Austin, Colorado Bend State Park is a scenic gem near San Saba, Texas. Nestled along the Colorado River, this rugged wilderness offers over 35 miles of hiking and biking trails, winding through canyons, waterfalls, and limestone cliffs—perfect for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.

Gorman Falls from Tinaja Overlook

How to Reach?

Address: 1201 Colorado Park Road, Bend , TX 76824

Park Hours: 6 AM to 10 PM 

Entry Fee : $5 per person, kids under 12 yrs - free

This state park offers a hike to a cave, waterfalls, natural springs, fishing, camping, and swimming in spring-fed pools.

Best Time to Visit?

Since it's Texas, the best time to visit is not on a sunny day :-) Trails are not shaded. The waterfall looks amazing after rain, but the trail might be slippery after rain. 

A cloudy day would be good to enjoy the scenic view of the Colorado River, hike Spicewood Canyon, or enjoy Gorman Falls.

Where to Stay?

Austin is only 2 hrs away. That would be a good place to stay, but there are some cabins on Lake Buchanan and unique stays and resorts around the area.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Here are some options:

 

Things to Do?

Hike Gorman Falls and Tinaja Overlook :

This is the most popular hike in the park. This 70-foot waterfall is accessible by 3 3-mile round-trip trail. There is a restroom available at the trailhead. 

Here is our guide for a family-friendly hike to Gorman Falls. The first half of the trail is flat and easy. After 0.5 miles into the trail, there is a path that leads to Tinaja Overlook. It's 0.75 mile leading to a viewpoint of Colorado Bend, adding 1.4 miles out and back, but it is really worth the extra miles. There is a deck with a place to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. 

If you can brave it, you can carefully walk to the rock, which gives a clearer view. You can see Gorman Falls from this point as well. It's amazing. That viewpoint is Instagram worthy :-)

Another popular but difficult trail is the Tie Slide Trail, 2.3 miles one-way. This connects to the Tinaja Overlook.  

Beautiful view of Colorado River

Tinaja Overlook

Then, we joined our main trail again. Another 0.4 miles is easy. The last part of the trail is steep with rocky terrain. There are chains on the sides of the trail to hold on to while climbing down to the falls. This is the hardest part, and kids need more help. 

The waterfalls are beautiful. They are spread over multiple rocks, and one part of the falls is covered with trees. It is not easy to capture the falls on photos, but this needs to be enjoyed personally. 

There is a cool spot to sit, have snacks, and take a break. Heading back, of course, is a little tough as we have to climb up at least for 0.5 miles. It is easy after that. 

The trail took 2 to 3 hrs, I guess, for us with photo and snack breaks. We went the day after a heavy rain, so the waterfalls were gushing with force. 

By the way, our return hike was not smooth. Unfortunately, there were lightning and thunderstorms followed by heavy rain. Fortunately, we reached the car safely, but completely drenched. 

Gorman Falls

The green moss

Swim in Spicewood Springs:

Enjoy a series of spring-fed pools and refresh on a hot summer day along the Spicewood Springs Trail. Spicewood Springs Canyon Trail is a 3.8-mile loop. 

You might need water shoes for this trail, as there are a few water crossings. Spicewood Springs Trail is 1.3 miles out and back. We couldn't do it due to heavy rain, but I definitely recommend it. 

Try the Cave tour if you are up for an adventure!

This website allows you to book cave tours. They offer tours for different difficulty levels. There are around 400 caves in this area. These caves are not regular tourist-friendly ones. You should be ready to crawl, squeeze, climb etc., 

A headlamp/ flashlight, sturdy shoes are required, and you should be ready to get dirty and wet :-)

There is also an activity called Bat Hike, organized by park staff.

Visit Fiesta Winery

Address: 18727 W FM 580

Lometa, TX 76853

This local winery offers wine tastings, pizza, and cheese boards. With $25, you can experience a complimentary wine and taste your choice of 6 wine samples.  This winery is only 20 minutes away from the State park. They also have large outdoor seating. 

Check here for hours. 

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

So, that's about a quick trip on a weekend. How do you like it? Do let me know in the comments.

Anything else we missed in this area? Do let us know.

Until next time,

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River Place Nature Trail, Austin - All things you need to know behore you hike

If you're looking for one of Austin's most challenging and scenic hikes, look no further than River Place Nature Trail. This shady gem is not just a walk in the park—it's a full-body workout packed with elevation, steps, and beautiful nature all around.

Located in West Austin, this 6-mile out-and-back trail (yes, that’s 2,763 steps total!) is perfect for hikers who want to break a sweat, enjoy nature, and explore one of the best-maintained urban trails in the city.

At the beginning of trial

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🌿 Trail Overview

River Place Nature Trail is made up of three connecting trails:

• Panther Hollow Trail
• Little Fern Trail
• Canyon Trail

💪 If you're up for a serious workout, try the Panther Hollow + Canyon Trail combo. It's about 3 miles one way and definitely the most intense section. Expect stairs, hills, and lots of breaks!

Trail Map

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🚗 How to Get There + Parking Tips

We parked at Woodland Park, which has limited free parking but thankfully, includes restrooms and water fountains.

There are a few other entry points with street parking options if Woodland Park is full. Since the trail has multiple entrances and exits, some hikers do a one-way and call an Uber or Lyft back to the starting point—great if you don’t want to double back.

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🔥 How Hard Is River Place Nature Trail?

Let’s be real—this trail is hard! But doable.

🏃‍♀️ Experienced hikers can likely complete it in 2.5 hours

🚶‍♂️ Beginners or families (like us) might need 3 to 3.5 hours with breaks

Even though it’s challenging, the trail is shaded for most of the way, making it bearable even in warmer weather.

Tip: Hiking with kids? Bring more water, rest often, and pack snacks. Our family (with elementary and middle school kids) did it in about 3 hours and 20 minutes, with plenty of stops.

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💵 Entry Fee Info

Depending on the day and time, there may be a $10 per person fee.

✅ Free after 3 PM or on weekdays

💰 Fee usually applies on weekends/ busy days

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🧳 What to Bring

Don’t hit this trail unprepared! Here's what you’ll need:

• 🥤 At least 1.5 liters of water
• 🍎 Snacks or energy bars
• 👟 Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip
• 🧢 Sun hat (a few exposed areas)
• 🐍 And stay alert—we saw a rattlesnake just a few feet off the trail!

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🌄 What to Expect on the Trail

• The first 0.25 miles are easy and flat—a nice warm-up
• The trail follows a shaded, tree-lined path with springs and streams
• After that, it’s stairs, elevation gain, and even some viewpoints
• Just when you think it’s over, more steps await! The middle section gets tough.
• The return hike feels quicker since you know what to expect.

We started our hike around 5 PM and finished by 8 PM. Late afternoon is ideal—not too hot and fewer people on the trail.

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🧼 Facilities

• 🚻 Clean restrooms at Woodland Park
• 🚰 Water is available before you start
• 📵 Limited cell signal in some areas, so download a map ahead of time or take a photo of the map at the beginning of the trail

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Final Thoughts

If you're up for a challenge and want to explore one of the best nature trails in Austin, River Place Nature Trail should be on your list. It’s tough but incredibly rewarding, with peaceful nature, birdsong, and enough steps to make your legs sore the next day.

Perfect for fitness lovers, nature enthusiasts, or anyone looking to escape the city without leaving Austin.

Accommodations in Austin:

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Until next time,

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