As September rolls through our lives, we find ourselves slipping into that back-to-school mentality: back-to-school means new clothes, new school supplies, and most importantly, new friends. Even as adults we get butterflies thinking about meeting new people, so it’s tough to imagine placing our kids in that position of needing to make new friends and coming out of their shells in new environments.
Friendships, of course, come in all different shapes and sizes, and there’s no better medium for exploring these unique friendships than picture books. The people we meet during our lives can be transformative and life-altering, and finding the people we want to spend our time with is always a process unique to the individual. (Written by Mel @spiky_penelope on Instagram)
Here’s the round-up of Unique Friendship stories shared throughout August from the Kid Lit Picks Book Club on Instagram and quotes from individual reviews.
Leo, A Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson (shared by ME @readingisourthing)
“…friends come in many shapes and sizes. Well, they can cross through dimensions, too.”
Life Without Nico, by Andrea Maturana and Francisco Javier Olea (shared by @spiky_penelope)
“…honest and authentic, and it tackles a common issue in such a fresh and beautiful way.”
The Sandwich Swap, by Rania Al Abdullah, Kelly DiPucchio and Tricia Tus (shared by @ilovebooksandicannotlie)
“…a great book to use to discuss accepting each other’s differences and cultural diversity! Pick this one up!”
The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown (shared by @afriendlyaffair)
“This wild Robot causes the reader to consider that it isn’t a beating heart that gives us life. It is our friends, our loves, our ability to learn, adapt, to be both WILD and refined.”
Sophie’s Squash, Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf (shared by @the.book.report)
“Sophie finds the most amazing squash at the farmers market. Her parents plan to have it for dinner, but Sophie isn’t hearing anything of it!”
The Cloudspotter, by Tom McLaughlin (shared by @homegrownreader)
“…a gentle reminder that we don’t need to do everything alone and though friendship can be uncertain, it can also be its own reward.”
Lucy and Company, by Marianne Dubuc (shared by @book.nerd.mommy)
“This adorable picture book is a sweet tribute to childhood and friendships. It is three short stories about Lucy and her friends as they enjoy three special little adventures.”
Hole and Hill Are Best Friends by Kyle Mewburn and Vasanti Unka (shared by @hereweeread)
“Hill likes being a hill, and Hole likes being a hole, but sometimes they wonder what it would be like to switch places.”
Unlike Other Monsters, by Audrey Vernick and Colin Jack (shared by @astoryaday)
“This is a wonderful book about finding new friends, standing up for those friends, and what it means to be a friend.”
The Invisible Boy, by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton (shared by @chickadee.lit)
“The book’s illustrations help children understand the invisibility metaphor; Brian is first depicted in grays and gradually becomes more colorful as his friendships grow.”
Duck & Goose, by Tad Hills (shared by @happily.ever.elephants)
“If everyone could learn to cooperate like Duck and Goose, this world would no doubt be a much lovelier place.”
Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers (shared by @bookbairn)
“…a fabulous story about friendship and how all things that are lost don’t always need to be returned to be found.”
Harry and Walter, by Kathy Stinson and Qin Leng (shared by @bookbloom)
“Decades dissolve, as once again their friendship is rekindled.”
Imaginary Fred, by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers (shared by @howifeelaboutbooks)
“The book is touching and – fair warning – the end might make you tear up.”
Wilfred, by Ryan T. Higgins (shared by @smallysbookshelf)
“This adorable story teaches a lesson in empathy, friendship, and the cost of greed.”
Same, but Little Bit Diff’rent, by Kylie Dunstan (shared by @fee_loves_)
Two friends “compare with wonder their differences in lifestyle, culture and traditions but they also find much of those differences contain just as many commonalities.”
The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty, by Beatrice Alemagna (shared by @ohcreativeday)
“Beatrice Alemagna can do no wrong in my books. One of my class spelling groups is named after her, in fact.”
Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School, by David Mackintosh (shared by @alittlebookhabit)
“This is a really interesting book. It’s really stylish and appealing to look at. The layouts are inventive and there are lots of fine details so that you can spot something new each time you read it.”
Goodnight Already, by Jory John and Benji Davies (shared by @childrensbooksgalore)
“Bear just wants to go to sleep, but Duck has other plans!”
@kidlitpicks is an Instagram book club. Its members are avid readers, and love children’s literature. Each month we share recommendations linked to a chosen theme. We want you to get involved. Follow @kidlitpicks on Instagram. You’ll find the monthly theme in our profile. Have a favorite children’s book that falls under this theme? Post a pic and review, and tag it with #kidlitpicks.
Thanks for this round up of books. I always like to give a book as a gift. So many friends are becoming grandparents! I recently bought a children’s book for myself. It’s amazing. It’s called “The boy who spoke to the earth” by chris Burkard. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Thanks, Lori! I’ve never heard of that book before, but I will check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!