Current topic: Peer Relationships
Developing and maintaining relationships outside of one’s family is an important part of early childhood. In peer relationships, young children learn how to navigate the complex world of sharing, negotiating, and compromising with others. The books we have selected for this topic cover some of the issues that may arise in relationships with peers such as finding ways to share, making up after a disagreement, and, for older children, understanding and appreciating different perspectives and opinions.
Books for children ages birth – 3
Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau
Four small chairs and four small bears, no one has to share. Well, here comes Big Brown Bear and he does not have a chair. Can the bears come up with a plan so everyone has a chair? Parenteau’s adorable illustrations, rhyming text and lesson about sharing and problem solving make this an inviting book for toddlers and their parents.
Books for children ages birth – 6
Best Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-Irivine
Illustrated through the relationship of two children in preschool, this book beautifully demonstrates the complex, and yet ordinary, dynamics of friendship and how the bonds of close friends remains constant with conflicts and feelings of jealously.
I'm Sorry by Sam McBratney
In this simple, sweet book, author Sam McBratney shows the joys and upsets of two “best friends” especially when one has to say"I’m sorr." This story exemplifies how even the closest friends have to discover how to handle their emotions with each other when upsets happen. The illustrations by Jennifer Eachus portray a realistic view of the emotions preschools experience in friendships.
Books for children ages 3 – 6
The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah
Lily and Salma are best friends who love to jump rope, draw pictures and play on the swings. They also eat lunch together every day, although they don’t eat the same foods. One eats peanut butter and jelly and the other eats hummus. Yes it may seem a little weird to the other, but that shouldn’t matter between friends right? Well, one day in the cafeteria it does matter and a food fight breaks out. Lily and Salma are faced with the difficult challenge of putting aside their differences for the sake of their friendship. What will they do?
A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
Bonny Becker’s A Visitor for Bear is a witty and touching story about a bear who insists on living alone. Working tirelessly to maintain his life of solitude, Bear wards off potential guests with a “No Visitors Allowed” sign that is plastered onto his front door. However, his many efforts to barricade his home cannot dissuade a very persistent mouse from surprising Bear with his sneaky intrusions. Out of desperation, Bear eventually succumbs to the mouse’s unrelenting visits, and he quickly learns the pleasures and benefits of having a friend. Children ages six and older who experience the vulnerabilities of initiating friendships and interacting with others can relate to Bear’s struggle to look beyond his feeling of safety in being alone.
Big Al by Andrew Clements
In the book Big Al, Andrew Clements explores friendships and the life lesson of not judging others by their appearance. Through beautiful illustrations and an endearing tale, the young reader explores all the various emotions of friendships. Through the simple story the reader discovers that although Al is a big, scary fish he longs to be a caring friend. Through his actions Big Al proves that he can be a caring friend and can receive kindness from others as well.
A Sick Day for Amos McGhee by Philip Stead
Amos McGhee spends his days caring for and spending time with the animals at the zoo. He has different routines with each animal, such as racing with the tortoise and reading bedtime stories to the owl. One day, Amos doesn't feel well enough to visit his friends at the zoo, so they travel to visit him! This is a simple yet delightful story of friendship and caring for others.
Fox Makes Friends by Adam Reif
Fox is bored and decides to head out with his net to catch a friend. His mom explains that you have to make friends, you can’t catch friends! So he grabs a stick, an apple and some nuts and proceeds to “make” a friend. However something just isn’t right. Fox decides it needs to be bigger, but how? Along comes Rabbit and Squirrel and they all try to make a bigger friend by using tomatoes and turnips. However, something still isn’t right. Will they ever make friends?
Making Friends by Fred Rogers
In the book Making Friends, Fred Rogers explains, in the way that only Mr. Rogers can do, about the many aspects of making friends. Through real life pictures this book the young reader through the joys and sometimes-difficult facets of friendships. Through the book’s simple and caring words there is a understanding of the many emotions children can have in friendships that even the very young can understand.
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
Parents who are preparing to help their children cope with the absence or loss of a friend may find inspiration in Mo Willems’ City Dog, Country Frog. Willems’ beautifully illustrated book encourages children ages five and older to reflect on the positive memories they may have for a close companion and to feel confident in making new friends. The story illustrates the long-distance friendship between a lively city dog and a mellow country frog and their ongoing enjoyment of playing together and learning from each other. After the dog makes several seasonal visits to the frog’s country territory, the frog suggests that they begin to do “remembering” activities together. The dog is later saddened when the frog does not return to their special meeting place, but is inspired to make a new friend after remembering the frog’s outgoing character.
Parents’ literature
The World According to Mr. Rogers by Fred Rogers
