Make New Friends

In the first weeks of school, teachers spend a lot of time teaching friendship.  Consequently, we read a lot of books about making friends, sharing and cooperation.  They’re lessons that kids need, and a book can be a painless way to teach them.  I've had an opportunity to read some of my favorites in the last few weeks, so I thought I’d share some.

Duck and Goose by Tad Hills has been one of my favorites since it’s publication in 2006.  Duck and Goose find a ball, but mistake it for an egg.  While arguing over whose egg it is and determining the best way to care for it, they become friends.  My niece loves The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems.  It’s about what happens when Pigeon is faced with the choice of enjoying a hot dog all by himself or sharing it with a friend.  As you may know, Pigeon does not have a lot of self control and can be pretty impulsive, but he makes a good choice in the end.  So he’s a good model for Bella, who, like all two-year-olds, hates to share.  Both are very silly books with great messages.  Enemy Pie is another excellent choice.  A dad helps his son make enemy pie, ostensibly to get rid of the new kid who seems to be stealing his best friend.  I’d also recommend Yo! Yes! by Chris Raschka.  In about 15 words, it teaches us how to make a friend.  It’s also great for teaching reading with expression and attending to punctuation.

If you want something a little deeper, there’s The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson.  Anna and Clover manage to become friends despite the fence that segregates their town.  Almost all of Kevin Henkes’ books deal with friendship, especially Chrysanthemum, and of course we have the classic book about friendship and sharing, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.  The Rainbow Fish discovers that when you don't share, you don’t make many friends.  Making and keeping friends are issues that all kids deal with.  Fortunately, there are hundreds of great book choices to help. 

 

Books about Friendship

Duck and Goose by Tad Hills

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

Yo! Yes! by Chris Raschka

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

Big Dog . . . Little Dog by P.D. Eastman

A Flea Story by Leo Lioni