As children begin to read on their own, they often gravitate towards series that highlight friendships - child and grandparent, brother and sister, boy and his dog, animal pals. The well-defined characters and their warmly humorous adventures dispense a comforting familiarity that turns the reader into the "third friend." The bonding with books and their inhabitants thus begins for the eager new reader.
The following books are in order from "tried and true" to "fresh and new":
Frog and Toad
By Arnold Lobel
These readers are true classics of the friendship genre. Frog and Toad
repeatedly demonstrate the meaning of supportive friendship, through
everyday
failures and fears. Look for Lobel's gentle humor, in carefully chosen
words and expressive illustrations, in ...
Frog and Toad are Friends
Harpercollins Juvenile Books; ISBN: 0060239573Frog and Toad Together
Harpercollins Juvenile Books; ISBN: 006023959X
and many other titles . . .
Oliver & Amanda
By Jean Van Leeuwen
Can little sister and big brother exist as friends? Yes, in the caring world of Oliver and Amanda Pig there is mutual respect, expected sibling rivalry and a large measure of imaginative play. The two endearing pigs, shown in bright, cheery scenes by Ann Schweninger, alternately share and "hog" the spotlight in such titles as ...
Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver
Puffin; ISBN: 0140370080, $3.99
Tales of Oliver Pig
Puffin; ISBN: 0140370080, $3.99
Amanda Pig and Her Best Friend Lollipop
Dial Books for Young Readers; ISBN: 0803719825, $13.99
Henry and Mudge
By Cynthia Rylant
There is nothing so poignant as the relationship between a boy and his big, goofy dog. Henry shares the simple pleasures of life with Mudge, a dog with no power of speech or special tricks. Mudge is simply and thus, extraordinarily, a dog - drool and all. Join the unconditional love, drawn by Sucie Stevenson with simple lines and boy/dog hugs, in ...
Henry and Mudge: The First Book of Their Adventures
Aladdin Paperbacks; ISBN: 0689810059, $3.99Henry and Mudge and Annie's Perfect Pet: The Twentieth Book of Their Adventures
Simon & Schuster (Juv); ISBN: 0689811772 , $15.00
and all between and all to come.
-
1
- 2
Reprinted with the permission of the Parents' Choice Foundation. © Copyright 2012 Parents' Choice Foundation. All rights reserved.
Add your own comment
Ask a Question
Have questions about this article or topic? AskToday on Education.com
5 Outdoor Games to Play in Under 5 Minutes 
Spring Fever! 6 Ways to Settle Kids Down 
6 Teacher Tips You Can Use at Home Popular Articles
- Kindergarten Sight Words List
- The Five Warning Signs of Asperger's Syndrome
- What Makes a School Effective?
- Child Development Theories
- Why is Play Important? Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Creative Development
- 10 Fun Activities for Children with Autism
- Test Problems: Seven Reasons Why Standardized Tests Are Not Working
- Bullying in Schools
- A Teacher's Guide to Differentiating Instruction
- Steps in the IEP Process
