Thinking about stories that lead
from the heart? Try these books to honor the holiday of love.
The Seeds of
Friendship
by Michael Foreman
Adam is a
small shy brown boy who loves his new home in a tall tower, in an unidentified
city. He’s excited to live “in the sky.” Because he misses the “faraway place
where he used to live,” he asks his parents to read stories to help him
remember. He pins the pictures he draws onto the walls of his bedroom. Although
he sees children playing in the cold, gray world outside his window, and when
the window glass is frosted in icy patterns he draws animals on his
“window-forest,” it is after the snow falls, creating a “white wonderland,”
that so delights Adam that he races outside to join the children who are
building a snowman.
Adam begins
on a snow elephant, and soon there are snow rhinos, lions, a camel & even a
crocodile for the zookeeper snowman. The snowy world melts really fast and
school starts for Adam where he sees some of his snow playmates. It’s a bit
confusing to see a green garden so quickly after the snow, but his teacher
gives him seeds from the garden, which he plants at home with his mom. Soon
Adam and his friends are planting seeds in window boxes, tin cans, pots and
pans on the rooftops, and later on the ground.
Award-winning author-illustrator
Foreman’s watercolor paintings are simple and straightforward, contrasting
bright inside with gray outdoors, and then explosions of color when the action
in the story changes what happens outside, as empty patches of ground sparkle
with color and life. The “city of gardens” glows, and Adam recognizes that
friendships have also grown. This hopeful immigrant story is a timely tale.
Candlewick Press,
$16.99
Interest Level: Junior
Kindergarten – Grade 3
My Friend Maggie
by Hannah Harrison
They have
been friends forever, Paula (a beaver) and Maggie (an elephant). Despite the
difference in size, they’ve had a great time together since they were babies playing
with rattles, and as they’ve grown up, splashing in the mud and picking apples.
But a classmate, Veronica (a dog), thinks Maggie’s too big and comes between
the two friends. Paula knows she’s not being a very good friend when she goes
off to eat with Veronica and her friends. But she plays with them anyway,
pretending not to see Maggie, who is hard to miss.
Harrison’s acrylic
paintings feature expressive animal faces and body language, demonstrating bullying
behavior, mean girl style smugness, and wistful remorse, among other emotions.
Brief but nimble text matches bright, active illustrations for a convincing
story of peer pressure and its impact on friendships and self-esteem.
As time
passes, Paula experiences a similar unkindness and discovers once again
Maggie’s big-hearted support and defense in spite of Paula’s betrayal. This strong
yet gentle story offers young children a profound example of forgiveness and
friendship.
Dial, $17.99
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 2
Little Raccoon’s Big
Question
by Miriam Schlein
illustrated by Ian Schoenherr
Searching
for a “just-right” bedtime story? One that works for the season of love or
anytime, or NOW? Try this cozy tale.
Little
Racoon wants to know, “When do you love me most of all?” he asks his mother. Is
it when he washes his paws for eating? or when he’s playing with the other
raccoons? or when he swims across the pond and back? or when they’re watching
the snow fall from inside the den?
“No,” his mother responds, although
she tells him, “You are a very good
swimmer. And I am proud of you.”
Schoenherr’s ink and acrylic
illustrations capture a snug den, a busy playtime, a golden afternoon, and a
brilliant snowy night. The details, movements of an active youngster, and the
bright eyes and expressive faces and bodies of the characters combine with the
warmth of this loving story for bedtime perfection. “NOW is the time when I
love you most of all…,” says his mother. “I love you all the time… It’s always right now.”
Greenwillow
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
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