Especially at the start of a new school year, making new friends and reconnecting with old friends is at the front of our kids' minds. The books below celebrate friendship and teach kids important lessons about learning how to be a caring and compassionate friend, while also extending radical welcome to everyone they meet.
Be a Compassionate Friend
Little Bear loves the woods, his home, and going on adventures with his strong and brave best friend, Big Bear. Then something scary happens to Big Bear. He's caught in a forest fire. Even after he escapes and is safe, Little Bear can tell that Big Bear is not the same. How can Little Bear's big, strong, brave friend be so scared now? And how can Little Bear be a good friend? In Big Bear Was Not the Same, Joanna Rowland gently introduces children to the impact that a traumatic event can have on even the strongest and bravest among us, and demonstrates how to be compassionate to a loved one experiencing the effects of trauma.
Befriend "Monsters"
Siblings can make the best friends—it sometimes just takes a little time. In How to Return a Monster, this little girl can't believe it when her parents bring home a fussy, stinky, attention-stealing monster. She hatches a plan to send it back to where it came from, with hilarious results . . . and along the way, she learns that maybe monsters—and siblings—aren't so bad after all.
Radiate Generosity
Fall is nearly here, which means it's time to pull out our sweetest fall book. Porcupine can't wait to celebrate Fall Feast and bake her special pie! On her way to prepare her ingredients, she encounters friends in need and gladly shares what she has. But when Porcupine doesn't have what she needs to make her pie, will Fall Feast be ruined? Or will friendship save the day? Porcupine's Pie is a cozy fall classic that will inspire all kids to live generously. A recipe for Porcupine's "Friendship Pie" can be found at the end of the book and is a perfectly sweet treat for any celebration!
Keila Dawson is the author of Opening the Road, the first picture book about the creation and distribution of The Green Book. She shared with us her hopes for the ways this book can be used as a tool to build a more equal future for all.
Kids have the power to make a difference in their communities. Amy Webb shares the inspiration behind Awesomely Emma, the much-anticipated follow-up to When Charley Met Emma.
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