Engage your students in meaningful discussions, foster an inclusive classroom environment, and empower them to forge lasting connections that will shape their lives both academically and personally. Let the power of friendship inspire and guide their path to growth and understanding.
I Saw a Friend by Katrina Streza
All She Wants is a Friend.
When a little girl goes for a walk outside, she sees plenty of animals that could be a perfect playmate for her. Can she get them to stick around and play? A fun picture book for preschoolers and other young children with lots of prepositions, perfect for classroom use.
Reading age: 6 to 8 years old.
Available on Amazon.
The Littlest Dinosaur by Bryce Raffle
The book is about a tyrannosaur who wants to make a friend because he has no one to play with. He sets off, introducing himself to other dinosaurs, but they all run away from him as they assume he wants to eat them! Finally, he finds an egg, and when it hatches, he meets a small dinosaur who is willing to give him a chance. After the other dinosaurs see that the little dinosaur is not afraid, they decide to join in too.
Through his hardships, we see that making friends isn’t always easy and that some people may have preconceived notions about us. It also shows that it is important not to give up, and to keep on trying, and provides an important message for kids who have trouble making friends.
Reading age: Baby to 7 years old.
Available on Amazon.
I Miss My Friend And That's Okay by Shermaine Perry-Knights
"I Miss My Friend And That's Okay" is a heartwarming story about two best friends, Grace and Kerrington, who live far apart, share their lives through letters, both the good and the bad. When Grace moves to Italy, she misses Kerrington and her old life, but also learns to enjoy new experiences and make new friends. This powerful picture book shows how children can be adaptable, while celebrating the enduring power of friendship.
Readers will discover the magic of true friendship that offers comfort and strength during life's obstacles, while also encouraging self-discovery and personal growth.
This book will encourage important conversations about: Moving, Making new friends, Anxiety, Big feelings, New environments, Problem-solving, Positive mental health, Accepting each other's differences
Reading age: 6 to 10 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Bently the Bully by Holly Mazzochi
The cool, crisp days of autumn are finally here! Kids around the neighborhood are excited to swing, slide, and climb at their favorite playground. That is, until Bently shows up.
He is ready to pull some hair, blacken some eyes, and break some bones. The sound of his footsteps, thump, thump, thump, sends children scattering in all directions for a spot to hide. No one is safe.
Until one day, a brave boy named Harvey finds the courage to stand up to Bently. Little Harvey wants to make a big change in how his friends are being treated. What will Bently do? Will Bently show an apologetic heart? Will Harvey and his friends be able to forgive?
Reading age: 3 to 10 years old.
Available on Amazon.
My Friends and I by Life Is Better With Friends
My Friends and I is a one-of-a-kind, fun, interactive, timeless memory book for children ages 5-12, that travels from friend to friend, who will answer questions like: What is your favorite food? What do you like to do in your free time? What songs do you like to listen to? What books do you like to read? What do you want to be when you grow up?
A picture box allows them to insert a photograph or to draw a picture of their own.
'My Friends and I' is a great tool for teachers to use at the start of the new school year as the book enables teachers and students to get to know each other, to engage with one another, and allows students to find classmates who share similar interests and to establish friendships.
The My Friends and I book is also a sweet surprise for the first day of school for children in kindergarten through 5th grade, and a great way for children to get to know their peers (and teachers) and to make new friends at school.
Reading age: 5 to 12 years old.
Available on Amazon and here on our books page. Get $5 off each book with promo code BIRTHDAY until August 20th (not applicable on Amazon).
U and I Are Friends by Maria Klingsheim
"In this life we all are better when we choose to work together."
But what if you are told you can no longer be friends with someone because they are different from you? Would you try to find a way to reconnect, or would you simply go your separate ways?
These are the questions the Letters of the Alphabet face after they are divided into two groups, with a law and a line that neither side dares to cross.
In U and I Are Friends, find out that time, circumstance, and the opinion of others cannot keep true friends apart.
Reading age: 2 to 10 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Beau the Boxer's First Day at School by Michelle Wilson
It’s Beau the Boxer’s first day at a new school. When Beau meets his new friends, he learns that they are all different. Some of his friends are better at Hide and Seek, some are better at going through obstacle courses, and some are better at chasing birds and squirrels. Beau must find something that they can all do together, so that no one is left out.
Join Beau and his friends as they learn that making everyone feel included can be fun.
Reading age: PK – 8 years old
Available on Amazon.
Ada and the Helpers by Travis D. Peterson
Ada and the Helpers is about a deaf fox with cochlear implants who loves to dance. On her way to a talent show, she meets 3 other forest creatures, each facing a challenge of their own. After helping each of them to look past their challenge and discover their natural, God-given strengths, they return the favor by helping her in the talent show.
This book also teaches the ASL alphabet while introducing children to hearing loss and hearing devices. The hardcover also comes with an ASL alphabet poster on the inside of the dust jacket.
Reading age: 3-8 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Meeting Exceptional Friends by Lindsey Larsen
What can children do when they have questions about a person’s disability?
A typical day at the playground becomes the perfect opportunity for children to ask questions and discuss disabilities. Natural curiosity guides these sincere interactions, and the children quickly learn that differences do not stand in the way of friendship.
Reading age: 4 to 6 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Better Together: The ABCs of Building Social Skills and Friendships by Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd
Better Together teaches children important friendship skills such as sharing, taking turns, asking for help, and paying attention to body language. Better Together shares fun examples of children practicing social situations at home and school and helps children understand how to use their social skills with confidence!
Reading age: 4 to 8 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Alastair McAllister Goes to School by Valerie Ramer
Meet Alastair McAllister! He's a lovable, long-haired, flat-faced kitten on his first day of kittygarten at the Acatemy! He’s excited to ride on the school bus, make friends and learn new things. He’s sure it’s going to be a PURRFECT day! But from the moment he meets his new classmates, they tease him for looking different. Throughout the day Alastair struggles to fit in. He feels he can’t do anything right. The tables turn when Alastair uses one of his differences to protect the other kittens, showing them that it's our differences that make us unique.
Reading age: 3 to 8 years old.
Available on Amazon.
The Adventures of Oliver the Clownfish: Acting Cool by Stephanie Guzman
Peer pressure, being yourself, and true friendship.
Oliver wants to look cool in front of his friends. He isn’t sure if he should be friends with Dolly, a dolphin who looks different. Oliver learns the true meaning of friendship, and the unimportance of physical appearance in choosing valued friends. This publication has been honored with a Dove Award for family friendliness. This second edition contains the popular 10 Things You Might Not Know About a Dolphin and a Parenting Sandbar giving parents tools to assist their child with peer pressure.
Reading age: 3 to 7 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Shelly Goes to Summer Camp by Brittney L Traudt
Follow Shelly as she goes to sleep-away summer camp for the first time ever! At first scared and nervous, Shelly goes along to make great memories with amazing friends. A story about a quiet, shy girl in a new environment ends with the best gift of all: Friendship!
Reading age: 8 to 10 years old.
Available on Amazon.
Herbert the Edgy Hedgie by Marie Wimsett
Herbert, a hedgehog, is feeling very edgy as the troubles of the day seem to be piling up. But with the help of his true friend, Sasha, and the inspiration from a beloved teacher, he is able to channel his troubles into a positive outcome and the day is saved. This story of friendship and perseverance in the face of adversity will leave you feeling not one bit edgy at all.
Reading age: 8 to 10 years old.
Available on Amazon.
It's About Time! by Colleen Giordano
Will Grandma be able to help Big Hand and Little Hand agree to compromise and resolve their differences so they can teach children how to tell time?
In this heartwarming story, children will see how working together to get a job done can only be accomplished when everyone cooperates and feels they are important.
This book includes additional activities that will teach children how to tell time as well as create opportunities for enjoying time spent with others.
Reading age: 6 to 9 years old.
Available on Amazon.
1 comment
Hello, I came upon your site after seeing a post from one of our Ella’s Way authors! I love what you are doing and wonder if there might be some way to collaborate. Check out our website and if you are interested, I would love to set up a meeting, chat more and bounce around ideas! https://ellasway.com