Someone You Should Know
Laurie Marshall Flood of Kindness
For almost four decades, artist and educator Laurie Marshall has used the transformative power of creativity to help young people navigate life’s most difficult storms. With a paintbrush in one hand and compassion in the other, she’s helped students and communities heal through art, storytelling, and collective action, and her Peace Through Art, Singing Tree Murals.
This interview focuses on the book, The Flood of Kindness, written in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, this tender, powerful story tells of a young boy grieving the loss of his best friend. As anger and division fill the city of New Orleans, his memory becomes the spark that brings kindness back.
Laurie’s illustrations brought De’Ante’s Websters words to life—capturing both the heartbreak and hope of children living through trauma. But what began as a picture book soon took on a life of its own.
The story resonated so deeply that it was adapted into a play—giving voice not just to one child’s grief, but to a community’s collective healing.
On stage, The Flood of Kindness became more than a story—it became a movement. Young actors embodied the themes of loss, forgiveness, and the courage to care. Audiences wept. They reflected. They remembered.
We need to give children permission to dive into their genius an imagination .
To learn more about Laurie’s work in peace education, community murals, and new Singing Tree certification https://www.unitythroughcreativity.org/singing-tree-certification.