Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Thursday, July 22, 2010

BOOKS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP



PICTURE BOOKS:
Amos & Boris, by William Steig (ages 4-8)  A bit of a twist on Aesop's fable of THE LION AND THE MOUSE.  Beautiful, poignant text and simple, sweet pictures of the unlikely friendship between a whale and a mouse.

Friends, by Helme Heine (ages 4-8)  The text and illustrations in this book are hilarious!  It takes these three Friends to maneuver their bicycle on all kinds of adventures...Charlie Rooster steering the handlebars, and Johnny Mouse and Fat Percy on each pedal.

Ira Sleeps Over,by Bernard Waber (ages 4-8)  Ira is excited to go and sleep at his friend, Regie's house, but isn't sure he can get along without his Teddy Bear.

Tanya and Emily in a Dance for Two,by Patricia Lee Gauch. (ages 4-8) Tanya, the smallest and wiggliest girl in her dance class, makes friends with the new girl, Emily.

A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You, by Joan Walsh Anglund (ages 4-8)  Her adorable illustrations and sweet text have made her books popular for generations.
"Some people have lots and lots of friends…
And some people have quite a few friends…
But everyone…
Everyone in the whole world
Has at least one friend."

Chester's Way, by Kevin Henkes (ages 4-8)  A story about accepting new people:  Chester and his best friend, Wilson, are surprised when Lily moves into their neighborhood and has her own exuberant way of doing things..

CHAPTER BOOKS:
Frog and Toad Are Friends, by Arnold Lobel (series, ages 4-8)  This beginner chapter book has five stories of Frog and Toad's adventures together.  A classic! 

Betsy-Tacy (Betsy-Tacy Books) by Maud Hart Lovelace (ages 5 and up)  See my previous post from 5/28/10:  "Chapter Books My Daughter Loved".

The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley (ages 4-8)  Around since 1928, this collection of 21 adventures (set in England), complete with original art by the author, is a “window to a simpler time,” a classic that still delights all ages.

Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White (ages 7 and up)  "Why did you do all this for me?" Wilbur asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'  You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing."

The View from Saturday, by E.L. Konigsburg (ages 8 and up) "They told Mrs. Olinski that they were The Souls long before they were a team, but she told them that they were a team as soon as they became The Souls."

The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare (ages 9-12)  The idea for this book came from a factual story that the author heard about: a young boy was left alone for a summer in the Maine wilderness and was befriended by a Native American and his grandson.

1 comment:

  1. So many good books. Of course you know how I still love the BETSTY-TACY books to this day, but many of the picture books were childhood favorites (especially FRIENDS). And I love how stories of friendship are so cross-cultural, too. Kids can always understand them, regarless of if they understand the language. We read a few of the FROG AND TOAD books (in English) to kids in Albania and they just loved them. They even laughed at all the right places, especially the one where from is trying to get rid of the hiccups.

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