Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham (graphic novel, grades 4-8)
Friendship can be tough in middle school! Shannon has always counted on Adrienne to be there for her as her best friend. Suddenly, Adrienne has started to hang out with the popular group and while she is still nice to her, Shannon's not sure where she fits in. Sometimes the girls in the popular group include her and other times they don't, which leaves Shannon confused. One of the girls in the popular group is downright mean and acts like a bully towards Shannon. With an older sister who can sometimes be abusive, Shannon is definitely going through a rough transitional time. Real Friends is based on the author's own experiences as a youth. Students in upper elementary or middle school will easily relate to Shannon and her experiences. This graphic novel is easily accessible and can be great tool to discuss bullying, including others, and what it means to be a real friend. After reading this book, students could create their own graphic novel to tell their experiences with friendships or to demonstrate what it means to be a good friend to others.
Happy Reading!
Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld (picture book, PK-3)
What makes a good friend? Let Circle, Square, Triangle, and Rectangle explain! These four fun friends tell how they play together, take turns, include others, and support one another. Infused with humor, this picture book is a perfect way to introduce a discussion about friendship. After reading and discussing Friendshape, students could cut out shapes and use the shapes to make a picture to tell how they are good friends to others. Students could also each wear one of the large shapes and act out scenes from the book, or act out other made-up scenarios about being friends.
Be a Friend by Salina Yoon (picture book, K-3)
Everyone is unique but we all need friends! In Be a Friend, Dennis doesn't speak but instead acts everything out. The others call him "Mime Boy" and he doesn't feel included when they are playing. One day, a girl named Joy catches the imaginary ball that Dennis kicks and that's the beginning of a great friendship. This book pairs nicely with Friendshape because while they both are about friendship, Be a Friend uses realistic characters. After reading the book, students pick up right away that even kids who seem different still need friends. Also, they realize that if they see someone alone at recess, they should ask if they'd like to join what they are playing. A fun extension activity would be to have students use mime to act out different ways they can be good friends with each other.
Happy Reading!
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Bunny Built by Michael Slack (release date 4/28/2018)...perfectly paired picture books for story time and maker activities! (grades PK-3)
Creepy Carrots has always been a favorite book to read aloud! Students love this book that is just a little bit creepy but not too scary with a fun twist at the end! Jasper Rabbit snatches carrots from Crackenhopper Field each day on his way home from school. Then, one day, he thinks the carrots have come alive and started following him everywhere he goes. Taking matters into his own hands, Jasper decides to build a fence around the field to keep the carrots in. It's fun having students design and build their own version of a fence, or different structure, to keep the carrots in (or keep Jasper out!).
This summer, I received an advanced reader's copy of Bunny Built from the ReadingCon: Collaborating for Literacy conference presented by Follett and NIU's STEM Read. As soon as I read the book, it reminded me of Creepy Carrots! In Bunny Built, LaRue is the "handiest bunny in Westmore Oaks". He loves to build things but has run out of something very important: Carrots! While asking each friend if they have any carrots, LaRue discovers that his friends have each lost something important (a house, a boat, a table, etc) that housed their own carrots. I love how when LaRue's carrot fortune changes, he decides to use his handy skills to help his friends with what they have lost. Bunny Built has large, clear pictures, rich vocabulary, and a great message.
Both books, featuring bunnies and building, are perfect for reading together during a story time. After hearing the stories, students could be provided with materials to build just like Jasper and LaRue. Materials that students could use include blocks, Legos, popsicle sticks, and straws. Students could be encouraged to plan out their "project" first. They could work in teams to collaborate on a project. Finally, students could share what they built with others. What other maker ideas can you think of that would go with these books?
Happy Reading!
