Friendship

Waiting For The Rain (Laurel Leaf Books)

Tengo is the 10-year-old son of workers on Oom Koos’s large farm in the Transvaal. He longs to go to school like his friend Frikkie, who visits his uncle’s farm on holidays. But Tengo’s family is too poor to pay for the education that comes free to whites. He finally gets his wish at age 14. Tengo goes to live with his cousin in a squalid township outside Johannesburg and studies furiously. After three years, he is almost ready for college, but a year-long school boycott ruins his chances and he is drawn into the fight against apartheid. When he and Frikkie meet in a violent confrontation, Tengo realizes that he will carry on the struggle for freedom as a scholar, not a soldier. The writing here is powerful, evoking in minute detail daily life and the broad landscapes of the country.

The Trouble With Tilly Trumble

A sweet, read-aloud story of friendship for dog lovers everywhere in a tale about the relationship between a lonely person and a homeless pet that offers laughs and sincere emotion. Tilly Trumble collects chairs, but she’s still looking for the perfect four-legged, scruffy old thing to fill the space by the fire. When a scruffy dog arrives and doesn’t want to leave, Tilly finds the perfect companion for her chair collecting, sausage eating, and star gazing. Dog owners especially will find warm satisfaction in this story of a pooch who teaches his human friend a lesson in love, loyalty, and furniture arranging.

Cuddle Up, Goodnight

This sweetly reassuring bedtime story portrays the daily routines a little boy shares with his animal friends. Playful illustrations show just how much fun getting dressed, going to school, and getting ready for bed can be when you spend the day with friends. Told with gentle humor and repetition, Cuddle Up, Goodnight is a perfect book to share at the end of a busy day.

Blue Chameleon

Chameleon can turn himself into anything and appear to fit in anywhere, but it seems that neither the swirly snail, the green grasshopper nor the striped sock want to be friends. Will he ever find someone to talk to? Someone just like him? With a subtle and witty interplay between words and illustrations this introduction to colors and shapes (and chameleons!) is sure to delight kids of all ages.

The Shattering (Guardians Of Ga’hoole, Book 5)

Eglantine has been having strange dreams, which make her yearn for her deceased parents. Her refusal to accept their deaths makes her vulnerable to manipulation. Meanwhile, the rest of the owls of the Ga’Hoole tree having repelled one attack by the Pure Ones, which was led by Soren and Eglantine’s evil brother Kludd, are trying to strategize on how to prevent another attack.

The Friends

In this award-winning book from Japan, three young boys curious about death learn–and teach–some valuable lessons about life and friendship.

Guri And Gura

Guri and Gura CD Edition is the first in a series of eight animal story books about two adorable field mice and their adventures. In this story, the friends find a giant egg on their walk in the forest, which they use to bake a giant sponge cake. Smelling the cake, the animals gather around to share the freshly baked, fluffy treat. A story of resourcefulness, friendship, and sharing this fully illustrated CD edition of a favorite classic is sure to capture the imagination of young children.

Stretch, Swallow & Stare

Stretch was not like other people. She could stretch her body taller than the tallest tree. People didn’t trust her because she was different. That’s why she lived in the forest. Swallow could eat more food than anyone. The villagers made fun of her because she was short and fat. That’s why she left town. Stare’s eyes were so strong they could burn through anything she looked at. Everyone was afraid of her. That’s why she stayed alone. And then there was Ira – small, skinny, and short-sighted – with nobody in the world to help him search for his missing sister. Somehow these four unlikely characters come together and overcome all obstacles – even the most evil magic in the land.