In a Prep School I think 'books about friendship' is probably the most often requested topic. There are so many books that could be used to start a discussion on friends, but at the beginning of the year it is usually because some child or parent has said that they are not with their friends.
In recent years Andrew Daddo's and Jonathan Bentley's Old Friends, New Friends
is probably the most helpful because it takes place in a school setting. For the beginning of school we have a box full of books on friendship so that when teachers ask we send them to the box to choose their own. They rarely come to ask for a specific title that they have used before and noted for future reference, so its like doing the search all over again every time someone asks. I have made a list and suggested that they read the blurbs and choose from there. Let's see how it goes.
These stand-alone picture books highlight different aspects of friendship.
• Friends and Friends Together by Rob Lewis
Oscar the rabbit discovers that friends -- in whatever form they come -- are full of nice surprises. When Oscar moves to a new part of the woods, he wants nothing more than to make some friends and go swimming. Much to his dismay, all the potential friends have their own interests. And there's no one just like Oscar: one is too noisy, one is too wild, one is too smart, one is too bashful.
•
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
Elephant wakes up grumpy--until ding, dong! What's in the surprise box at the front door? A hat! HOORAY FOR HAT! Elephant marches off to show Zebra, but Zebra is having a grumpy day, too--until Elephant shares his new hat and cheers up his friend. Off they march to show Turtle! The parade continues as every animal brightens the day of a grumpy friend. An irresistible celebration of friendship and sharing.
• The Friend Ship by Kat Yeh
Little Hedgehog is very lonely. But then she overhears passersby talking about something that gives her hope-something called a Friend Ship! Hedgehog imagines a ship filled with friends of all kinds, and soon she's ready to hit the open seas in a boat of her own to track it down. Along the way, she meets other lonely animals eager to join her quest.
Sometimes, what you're searching for is right in front of you.
• Bird, Bear, Balloon by Il Sung Na
A fresh and heart warming story about finding the courage to make a friend. Bird is new to the forest, and he's looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too.
But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it's too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon. Has Bird missed his chance?
• Making Friends by Amanda McCardle
Friendships are precious, but they can also be tricky to navigate - especially when you're young. In this charming and supremely sensitive book, we meet Sukie and Joe: two children making friends for the first time. Making Friends is the perfect tool for talking to very young children about friendship and everything that goes with it, from meeting new people to celebrating differences and standing up for one another.
• Henry and Amy by Stephen Michael King
Everything Henry tries to do straight turns out wiggly, but his friend Amy always does everything perfectly. Henry shows her the fun of being topsy-turvy.
• The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill
Mean Jean was Recess Queenand nobody said any different.
Until a new kid came to school!
With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.
• Horrible Bear by Amy Dyckman
Though Bear didn't mean to break the girl's kite, she is upset and shouts `HORRIBLE BEAR!'. But Bear doesn't think he is horrible. Until he decides to get his own back and has a really horrible idea. Before he can carry it out, the girl makes a mistake of her own. Maybe the Horrible Bear isn't so horrible after all?
• Love Triangle by Bob Shea
Ever since they were a dot and a speck, Circle and Square have been best friends...Then someone new comes along: a cool, exciting Triangle. And three starts to feel like a crowd...With their friendship bent out of shape, can they put it back together again?
• The New Kid by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick
Ellie's not like the other children on her street. She hides inside her grey coat and the children tease her. But with her powerful imagination and talent for making up games, and Ellie soon shows everyone what a wonderful friend she can be.
• Jumpy Jack and Googily by Meg Rosoff
Meet Jumpy Jack, a very nervous snail who is afraid of monsters, and Googily who is a very good friend indeed. Wherever they go, Googily kindly checks high and low just to make sure there are no scary monsters about. But, as every child knows, monsters come in many shapes and sizes. Some are even blue with hairy eyebrows and pointy teeth.
•Chamelia and the New Kid in Class by Ethan Long
It's the first day of school, and Chamelia's teacher introduces the class to a new student, Cooper. Chamelia can't help but envy the attention Cooper receives from their classmates and as he gets under her skin, she schemes to steal the spotlight back. But, in the end, Chamelia learns that it is her kindness that really makes her stand out. Plus, everyone can use a sidekick, right?
• Friendship is Like a Seesaw by Shona McInnes
Friendship is a very special thing. It's great to have a friend, and being a friend to someone else is a good feeling, too. Sometimes getting along with your friends is easy, and other times it can be a little trickier, but there are lots of ways to keep your friendships balanced and fun for everyone.
But, there are others:
• Friends by Helme Heine
• You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown
• Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
• Big Hid by Roisin Swales
• On Sudden Hill by Linda Sarah and Benji Davies
• Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino
• Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
• Hector and Hummingbird by Nicholas John Frith
• Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
• Friends (Mostly) by Barbara Joosse
• Ping and Pong are Good Friends (Mostly) by Tim Hopgood
• Hunter's Best Friend at School by Laura Malone Elliott
• Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley by Aaron Blabey
These series allow readers to get close to ‘friends’ and follow them to see how they behave together and over time. Consider serialising one.
• Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
• Snail and Worm by Tina Kugler
• Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
• Mouse and Mole by Wong Herbert Yee
• Houndsley and Catina by James Howe
• Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
• Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
