More books about friendship

Are you noticing a pattern here? As I read through the new picture books, I see so many that have a theme of friendship. And why not? Friendship is one of the most important concepts we can learn as young children, and for so many of us these early friendships can last a lifetime. For all my friends and their children and grandchildren, I hope these books will remind you of the power and love we get from our friends.

Love Monster and the Scary Something by Rachel Bright

Love Monster returns. This time he is trying to go to sleep and has completed all his before-sleep rituals, but nothing is working. He hears the scariest sounds and imagines the most frightening monster coming up his stairs. But, what is it coming to get him? Read and find out!

Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead

Words cannot really describe the illustrations in this book. Stead tells the story of a mastodon names Samson and his unlikely friendship with a red bird and a little grey mouse. Bright yellow and red are used in the fantastic illustrations of this story of friendship. I love this book and hope to share it with some children soon to see what they think of it.

Cat Nap by Toni Yuly

Kitten wants to play and Cat wants to nap. After a long game of hide and seek, both finally get to take a nap. Simple line drawings are filled with bright colors in a way that makes the reader think, “I could do that!” But, of course we could not do it so masterfully. A nice simple story of friendship.

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper

When the little cat comes into the big cat’s life, the big cat shows Little Cat the ropes, how to be and how to do;   they exist together for many years, until Big Cat grows old and dies. A wonderful circular story of pets, or are the cats substitutes for people? Many complexities from this simply story. Cooper likes to write about cats and she does so fantastically!

Little Bot and Sparrow by Jake Parker

Who would have thought a robot and a sparrow could be friends? In Parker’s imaginative tale, this is just what happens. As with Big Cat, Little Cat, the more experienced friend (sparrow) teaches the other (Little Bot) the ways of the world and the seasons come and go as the friendship waxes. How to be a friend would be another good title for this sweet and unusual book.