Friendship seems like a simple thing, but it encompasses so much. Making friends is at the heart of childhood, and these new picture books explore how young people make connections despite barriers of language, culture, appearance … and even species.
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“Dear New Friend” by Taraneh Matloob, illustrated by Alida Massari. (Ages 4-8. Red Comet Press. $18.99.)
The first steps across the bridge of friendship can be confusing, but this guide, from a young Persian boy whose new friend is coming over, offers a cheerful welcome. “Knock with the secret knock only we know,” he says, and enjoy Grandma’s cooking and Tileh, a marble game.
Like the Persian carpets Father creates, this friendship is woven thread by thread, with new experiences and new understandings.
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Plants are easy ’cause they don’t ask for much! (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
“Best Buds” by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jiarui Jiang. (Ages 4-8. Margaret K. McElderry Books. $19.99.)
Spencer is new in town, but he made his first friend before he finished moving in. “It was easy! He didn’t know what his mom was so worried about” — and, in fact, he made another friend the next day, and the next. He even discovered he could buy friends, “though something didn’t feel quite right about that.”
Never mind that his new friends are a bit green and leafy. They enjoy warm sun and a cool drink of water, just like Spencer.
In fact, Spencer is perfectly happy with his plant buddies … until they introduce him to another human just as gentle and patient, and inspire him to branch out.
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Bitsy Bat is afraid she’s going to get dethroned. (Paula Wiseman Books)
“Bitsy Bat, Team Star” by Kaz Windness. (Ages 4-8. Paula Wiseman Books. $19.99.)
Bitsy Bat is flying high at school, but in this sequel to “Bitsy Bat, School Star,” she has a new student in her class who forces her to think again about what makes her special.
Enzo Owl, who communicates with sign language and a communication device, may be even speedier on the wing than Bitsy, and Bitsy’s determined to prove in the class olympics that she is still the class’ fantastic flier. “No one will think I’m special anymore if I lose our race tomorrow,” Bitsy laments.
When competition day arrives, though, she realizes that there’s room for more than one kind of star and that she can be special in more ways than she knew.
Bitsy’s perspective as an autistic character opens the door for discussions of different perspectives and experiences, and the book includes thoughtful back matter about autism, communication and neurodivergence.
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What is it with people who whisper, whisper, but won’t just ask the person they’re talking about? (Beach Lane Books)
“Maybe Just Ask Me!” by Katie Mazeika. (Ages 4-8. Beach Lane Books. $19.99.)
On Mazie’s first day at a new school, she is ready to make friends, but her friends-to-be are not quite ready for her eye patch and the scarf that covers her head. They whisper about how she might have lost her hair and what happened to her eye. Could it be a circus accident? Or pirates? Or a space mission?
Mazie begins to worry that “no one wanted to be her friend — they just wanted to make up stories about her.” But she summons up her courage and says what most needs saying: “If you really want the story of what happened to me … Maybe just ask me!” And the real story, it turns out, is just as stirring as the made-up ones, and paves the way for friendship and acceptance.
Straightforward and sensitive back matter tells the author/illustrator’s own story, which inspired the book, as well as tips for talking with people who have physical differences and disabilities. “We all have things that make us different,” Mazeika writes. “What kind of things do you wish other people just asked about you?”
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com.
