There are not a lot of picture books with 'neighbour' in their title, but nevertheless it is easy to define what a neighbour is and does using stories in picture books, and what better way to celebrate Good Neighbour Day than by reading with your neighbours, even if they are school 'neighbours'. Many of the books I like to share are now old, but that doesn't mean they aren't still good and worth sharing. These will probably be in your school library too, and they are perfect for giving that sense of neighbourliness and community.Read:
• Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten by Bob Graham. Here Rose and her family move into the house next door to a recluse whose yard has become overgrown. Rose is determined to befriend him.
• A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham. Here a young girl called Stella creates a haven for her neighbourhood in a dumped bus.
• That's Not a Daffodil by Elizabeth Honey. Here Tom's elderly neighbour gives him a bulb that they plant and watch grow.
• Nobody's Granny by Tessa Brady. Here the children in an elderly lady's neighbourhood collaborate to build her a fence in exchange for playing in her garden.
• Leaves for Mr Walter by Janeen Brian and David Cox. Here Emilia befriends grumpy Mr Walter who lives next door and together they create a treehouse.
And if you do want a book with 'neighbours' in the title, dig out Mum, Midge and the Neighbours by Phil Cummings and Ritva Vitoula.
I love the idea of a good neighbour day. I think we should extend this to school as a community or neighbourhood too. It is interesting that so many Bob Graham books explore this theme such as his old title Pearl's place.
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