From: Megan Schliesman <schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu>
Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 10:50:22 -0500

All of these book suggestions have me thinking about the many variations on the theme of friendship in children's literature.

Novels obviously tend to offer opportunities for richer and more nuanced exploration of friendship, and Kevin Henkes's novels have already been mentioned as offering up honest portrayals of the "imperfections of friendship."

But even among picture books one can find a wide range of friendship experiences. There are books about finding friends (Margarita and Margaret / Margaret y Margarita by Lynn Reiser). There are books about being friends (My Friend John by Charlotte Zolotow, Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes). There are books about friends who have an argument (e.g., A Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English). There are books about kids learning what a real friend is...and is not (My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman).

Are there books--fiction or picture books (or even non-fiction) that you especially appreciate for how they portray dimensions of friendship?

Megan

-- Megan Schliesman, Librarian Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison 600 N. Park Street, Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706

608/262-9503 schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu

www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
Received on Sat 12 May 2012 10:50:22 AM CDT