Being or making friends has been a popular subject for children s books for a long time. The subject is of special interest to foster parents, since one of the losses suffered by children removed from their homes is the loss of friends. One of the difficult tasks for them in placement is making new friends at school, in the neighborhood, and at church. In talking to children about their difficulties in adjustment, caretakers might use reading a book together with the child as an opening to discuss how to get along, how to be a friend, and how to face new people and situations. Following books are commonly available in community public libraries.
School libraries are likely sources as well.
Books about Little Bear are frequently good read-aloud books, and are also early reader books. One of the series is Little Bear s Friend. If children have enjoyed hearing about Little Bear, or enjoy reading for themselves, this is a comfortable story making good points about being a friend. Together and the other books about those two friends are easy reader books which children might have met at school. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli tells how a gift of a box of candy which he shares changes Mr. Hatch s life some good ideas here of how to make friends.