Teach Your Children Well

Sara

Sep 24

Although reading is inherently a solitary activity, books can provide a strong foundation for conversation and connection with others. In one of LOF's earliest posts, I wrote about my own experience with a local book group. I also enjoyed facilitating a book group with a few other parents for my son and some of his friends when they were in middle school. Overall, as a mother, I can honestly say that some of my favorite parenting moments with my three children have either involved reading together or book-related activities.

Richer than I you can never be, I had a Mother who read to me.

Strickland Gillilan

Curling up together to read a book aloud is not only one of the most enjoyable parenting activities in my opinion, it also happens to be one of the most powerfully beneficial in terms of both brain development and social-emotional awareness. The stories in age-appropriate books can provide children with a window into other people's feelings and motivations--helping them to develop empathy and understanding of others. Moreover, at a time when social media, video games and so many other louder activities are vying for kids' attention, reading offers a soothing respite from the noise.

LOF has compiled a list of some of our favorite books for young kids revolving around the theme of friendship. We are sure you have many of your own favorites and we'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

A Friend is Someone Who Likes You, by Joan Walsh Anglund: This beautifully illustrated classic little volume expounding on the definition of friendship in its various forms was one of my favorites as a child, and I made sure to get it for my kids when they were little.

I Wonder If Herbie's Home Yet, written by Mildred Kantrowitz and illustrated by Tony DeLuna: Another of my childhood favorites, I was fascinated by this story of a city kid named Smokey who wanders around his neighborhood wondering why his best friend Herbie blew him off. This one will resonate with anyone who has ever forgotten a dentist appointment or manufactured a whole scenario in their head, only to find out they've been completely off the mark.

Sam the Firefly by PD Eastman: Another classic about the friendship that develops between an owl and a firefly when they bond over night-time shenanigans and then have to rely on each other to clean up their mess.

My Friend is Sad--An Elephant and Piggie Book by Mo Willems: Elephant is very sad at the beginning of this story and Piggie attempts various silly antics to cheer him. By the end, all is well and the story ends in hugs. Mo Willems uses humor and strong personalities in his charmingly illustrated books that are sure to entertain. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is another winner written and illustrated by Willems.

Let's Be Friends/Seamos Amigos by Rene Colato Lainez and illustrated by Nomar Perez: Two boys meet at kindergarten and paint together, each speaking their own language and learning from each other about how to communicate. By the end, they declare themselves friends, showing that communication is both possible and enjoyable across languages and cultures.