Making Friends

"No alley cat can ever be a ballet cat!" A band of funky, groovy alley cats are untied in their all night, every night, partying until one of them, Arthur, discovers a love for ballet. The other cats are scandalised. But when Arthur slinks off quietly to find his own path, will the other cats' stomping and romping be as much fun? An upbeat and gentle challenge to gender stereotypes. 'I like this books. Themes around friendship and differences- and fun, colourful language' (Carey, Childminder, Letterbox reviewer). Age 3-6, Paperback 32pp

Seren is full of brilliant ideas-it's just that she always seems to put her foot in it! First there was the dance routine where she fell off the stage. And now her plan to get her sister Sasha noticed by gorgeous Luke Beckford looks like it could backfire...Seren reckons she's just hopelessly accident-prone! But there's one person who believes in Seren. Her mate Keith is making a film for a national competition and he wants Seren to be in it. Could Seren turn out to be a star after all? Age 13+, 186pp Paperback.

Art Class is no fun for one quiet child, sat on her own, with a fuzzy black cloud hovering over her...but a patient and fun-filled little girl resolves to find a way through the fog...Multicultural, casual images of disability, a winning text and exceptionally imaginative illustrations. Age 4-8, Paperback 27pp Themes: Making Friends, Feelings

Audrey is weird. Sam wonders if she is an alien. She has no Earth manners. But she knows all about Earth hugs. And Earth rides. A wonderful feat of storytelling, imagination and Earth-Love. Age 5-8, Canadian Import Paperback 29pp Themes: Making Friends, A Unique Child

A quirky treat. Every one of Madame Chapeau's customers is different, so each receives a unique, bespoke hat. But while she gives so much of herself, Madame has a lonely life. And then, one night, she loses her precious birthday bonnet. A line of men queue up to offer her their hats but none will do...until a child brings her a special headpiece, knitted by her own small hands and brightly coloured with love. Like every great story book, this one lends itself to multiple interpretations. It's a story about loss and (self-) isolation, but it also ends up as a story about friendship, belonging and finding your own uniqueness. The illustrations are wonderful- a particular delight is that each hat mirrors and reveals the personality of its owner. The text lilts along with bouncing rhymes and it savours funny nonsense words- "Chez Snooty-Patoot" "Rue Tippytap". This illustrator excels in effortless inclusion- the characters are multicultural; the real star is a small, Black child (with natural hair); some of the couple scenes suggest same-sex partners in amongst the mix and indeed one of the story's joyful messages is that love and companionship takes many forms. 'I LOVE this book...a lovely story about finding what is right for you' (Ruth, Events Programmer, Discover Story Centre, LL reviewer). 'How many ways do I love this? I would have bought this for my child- I had to read it to my (nearly 15-year-old) daughter anyway. Wonderful inclusion!' (Patrice, children's author, LL reviewer) Age 4-7, Hardback 29pp

Isabel's best friend, Simon, moves away very suddenly leaving her feeling angry and then lonely. Having decided to enjoy her isolation, she shuns company, excepting...the parrot on her head. But then Chester moves in next door and convinces her that it might be a time for a new playmate. A charmingly off-the-wall picture book which captures the zaniness of children's playtime and the worlds they create together. The narrative moves along through Isabel's changing emotions which are themselves carried by a familiar passage of the seasons from Autumn- marking Simon's departure- to Spring- announcing Chester's arrival. For more confident readers there are some real depths of emotions to explore here with Isabel literally externalising her feelings through a complex system of boxes and storage. 'Totally loved this innovative text with its superb illustrations. Very tactile paper and a great palette. Brilliant, humorous, quirky- immense!' (Kate, Children's Centre Coordinator, LL reviewer) Age 4-8, Hardback 31pp

Kissing fish and chattering budgerigars- just like us! Charming lift-the-flap series. Age Birth-2, Boardbook 10pp Themes: Making Friends

"La la la!", trills Momo the monkey; "Tum ti tum", hums Snap the croc...and then, on meeting, respectively: "Eek!" "Ack!" A series of actions and just a few sounds conjure up a lovely, funny story of competitiveness giving way, finally, to cooperation. An engaging story for a wide range of ages and reading abilities. Age 3-7, Paperback 31pp

Molly and Sunita are playgroup friends who spend time together every day, playing, talking, and learning about getting on with each other. Their relationship is generally good but even the best of friends sometimes fall out or feel grumpy! Molly is learning that Sunita has moods and feelings, but these will not get in the way of true friendship.The Dealing with Feelings series teaches positive behaviour and promotes personal, social, emotional skills. Developed and written by experts and supported by research, each book includes additional notes and tips to help teachers, practitioners and parents reinforce the lessons children are learning through the simple stories. Age 2-5, Paperback 18pp

Amy and Monifa were both born in the UK- but Amy is Chinese. They have similarities and differences. They are best friends. Superb explorations of friendships across cultures. Enchanting! Age 4-7, Hardback 30pp Themes: Making Friends, Refugees and Migration

Jamal and Joseph were born in the same UK hospital but Jamal is Somali. They have similarities and differences. They are best friends. A superb exploration of friendship across cultures. Age 4-7, Hardback 30pp Themes: Making Friends, Refugees and Migration

Ellie seems different. Her mum makes her wear a big coat. And she's not allowed to take it off. The local children call her a weirdo. But Ellie knows how to play on that and she's soon the centre of entertainment- on her own terms. A clever little story about what happens when a new child appears different to other children and then manipulates that difference into something extraordinary, attracting new friends in the process. Great take on 'othering', friendship and inclusion. Very empowering. Age 4-7 Paperback 26pp

Every day, Birt and Etho take their cardboard boxes all the way up Sudden Hill to play for hours and hours, enjoying their special, "two-by-two rhythm". But then, one Monday, a small child called Shu appears with his own box, wanting to join in...Can their friendship take a new addition? A new, three-by-three rhythm? A superb celebration of imaginative and creative outdoor play. It is also a gentle story which will resonate with lots of children as a group of boys negotiate a new friendship group with thought, empathy, mutual respect, care and real kindness. How good to see a bunch of boys allowed to express emotional intelligence. Age 4-7, Paperback 30pp

Alexandra and Jenny are bestest friends. But, with the arrival of super-cool Rolinda, Alexandra is dazzled. Will she stop at nothing to get in with the popular girls?...'Very realistic account of girls' friendships' (School Puppeteer, LL reviewer). Age 6-9, American Import Hardback 30pp Themes: Making Friends

Alexandra and Jenny are bestest friends. But, with the arrival of super-cool Rolinda, Alexandra is dazzled. Will she stop at nothing to get in with the popular girls?...'Very realistic account of girls' friendships' (School Puppeteer, LL reviewer). Age 6-9, American Import Paperback 30pp

"Really, Pea thought, there was no such thing as a normal family; just yours, and everyone else's". If 'casual inclusion' is your preferred mode of representation, then this series about Pea and her mates delivers on this flawlessly. Pea's upbeat, fun and chaotic world is peopled by a refreshingly humorous and three-dimensional lesbian couple, Pea's own diverse single parent family, some delightful little gender twists (through a set of boy/girl twins), socio-economic differences and mixed race characters. All are seamlessly woven into a story about transitions, belonging and families. Full of great substance, Pea would like you to know that "this book is not about mermaids". (1st in the series). PS: we're pretty keen on author Susie Day's website too! Age 8-11, Paperback 280pp

Posy has just moved home and is bursting with anxieties. But a magical red boat at the bottom of the garden becomes a vehicle for some fantastic imaginative role play which soon soothes Posy's fears...A super book for exploring first time nerves and transitions as well as being, quite simply, a good story. 'Warm and humorous, this book explores a child's fears of the new and unknown' (Kate, Children's Centre Coordinator, LL reviewer); 'charming and humorous' (Primary Inclusion Manager, LL reviewer). Age 4-7, Paperback 29pp

A new boy moves in next door. Mum says he's an asylum seeker. 'A Silence Seeker!' says Joe. And so begins the story of a delightful little boy who sets out to find silence for his new friend. Age 6-9, Paperback 26pp Themes: Making Friends, Refugees and Migration

But two days before her trip to Washington, with her best friend Zoe's family, Cricket Kaufman trips on a curb and winds up on crutches. Worse still, Zoe invites Sara Jane Cushman to go instead. Now Cricket's friendship with Zoe seems as injured as her ankle. It's going to take some serious creativity to turn this woeful week into a lucky break! Ages 8-12, 112pp Paperback American Import

"There are these people. They've got something on me. In turn, I've got something on one of the refugee boys. Hassan is new, so he doesn't have anything on anybody. He just wants to fit in". The Blokes are a group of boys at Jack's school, united in their fight to bully and ostracise the refugee, Black and Asian children. Jack befriends Hassan, a Syrian refugee who has just recently arrived- but now, the Blokes have given him orders to take Hassan down or else..." Will Hassan survive and will Jack finally learn to do the right thing? A timely story about racism, anti-immigrant prejudice, bullying and the power of friendship to triumph over hate. Reading Age 7+ Interest 10-14, Paperback 57pp

Lucy is pretty sure she knows it all. After all, everyone else comes to her for help. Lucy knows how to fold perfect stars, how to eat with a knife and fork... she's got it covered! Bu then Toshi arrives from "far away" with his chopsticks and his weird music and his yoga poses and his strange origami skills.Lucy is fit to burst with frustration- but then, a simple act of kindness opens her eyes and widens her horizons. An easy, simple tale about respect and 'difference'. 'What a lovely book- simply told but with such a powerful message and learning statement' (Elaine, Ed. Psychologist, Letterbox reviewer). Age 3-6, Paperback 27pp

"This house isn't for girls" begins George. In this charming story of discrimination overcome, a small group of friends find a way to include each other and share. Age 3-7, Paperback 26pp Themes: Making Friends

Keisha and Val are best friends- until Val brings a new girl along! Keisha is not happy. Everyone knows 'three's a crowd'. A positive and reassuring exploration of friendship rivalries. Age 6-8, American Import Paperback 32pp Themes: Making Friends

John's Traveller family have moved again- which means a new school and new friends. But with a horse like Pie in tow, John gets on just fine. 'Really positive portrayal of life as a Traveller' (Inclusion Manager, LL reviewer). Age 5-8, Paperback 58pp

A group of friends talk about their differences, how they appreciate what makes each of them unique, how they fall out and make up- and all the many, many things friends are especially good for: wiping up tears, helping you tidy up, making sure you have your favourite teddy A charming book! Age 3-7 Paperback 29pp

Willow's reluctance to express her needs above a tiny whisper gets her into all sorts of tangles. An enchanting and thoughtful story about a very shy child who discovers her inner microphone. Marvellous. Age 4-7, Canadian Import Hardback 29pp Themes: Making Friends, Feelings

Kate wants to meet Violet, is about to meet Violet, then isn't ready to meet her and ends up being too busy running away from her to catch up with her. Mark can't let go of his feelings for best friend, Ryan, but Ryan is ready to let go of him. In this heady mix of the confusions, hesitations and fears of first loves, Mark and Kate meet each other and go on to form a quite wonderful friendship. In the end, this exquisitely written, beautifully constructed novel is less about sexuality and coming out than it is a tribute to the powerful, transformative and loving bonds of friendship. Refreshing also for its rare portrayal of young LGBT people living their lives within a wider LGBT community. 'A terrific novel about self-discovery. I loved the combination of breathless pace with moments of stillness and pause' (Mark, Equalities Trainer/Consultant, LL reviewer). Age 14+, Paperback 245pp