The United Nations proclaimed July 30th International Friendship Day. “The resolution places emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.”
Magination Press books can help kids develop that understanding and respect for diversity with our stories that explore the ins, outs, ups, and downs of friendship. Check out some of our newest titles:
Peacock and Sketch by Allan Peterkin, MD
A gorgeous peacock hatches an escape from the zoo in search of fame, only to realize that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be, and that instant stardom can be tough and beauty is more than feathers deep. Check out the book here.
Read an excerpt from the Reader’s Note about friendship and social media here.
My Story Friend by Kalli Dakos
There is the person who tells the story. This is the storyteller. And there is the person who listens to the story. This is the story friend. After a long journey, a child finds someone in this world who will listen to their stories, even the scary ones. Check out the book here.
Read an interview with Kalli Dakos about creating My Story Friend here.
Band Together by Chloe Douglas
Duck loves peace and quiet! When a rowdy band asks him to join the show, he agrees, but gets nervous to perform with them. Why would they want him to play with them? A charming tale about being with friends and making new ones. Check out the book here.
Hear Band Together read aloud here.
Read an interview with Chloe Douglass about creating Band Together here.
Keep an eye out for Better Together, the sequel to Band Together, coming out in September. It’s a classic battle of the band tale, where envy gets side-tracked by the sweet revenge of reconciliation and friendship. Check out the new book here.
Too Shy to Say Hi by Shannon Anderson
Shelli wants to make friends, but being shy stands in her way. She decides to take brave steps toward breaking out of her shell. Check out the book here.
Hear Too Shy to Say Hi read aloud here.
Read an excerpt from the Reader’s Note in Too Shy to Say Hi here.
Baby Blue by Judi Abbot
Baby Blue is a little boy who lives in a blue world, full of blue trees, flowers, and animals. One day, he accidentally tears a hole in the world and a strange light pours in. Through the hole, he can see a world that isn’t blue, and another little person like him. Though Baby Blue is scared, he overcomes his fear and introduces himself to Baby Yellow. Check out the book here.
Hear Baby Blue read aloud here.
Read an interview with Judi Abbot about creating Baby Blue here.
Like Ability: The Truth About Popularity by Lori Getz, MA and Mitchell J. Prinstein, PhD
Like Ability is a practical, insightful guide for teens about popularity: what it is, why some kinds are healthier than others, and how teens can grow their social intelligence and develop the confidence they need to feel more connected to their family, peers, and community. Check out the book here.
Read an excerpt from the book here.
Kid Confident #1: How to Master Social Power in Middle School by Bonnie Zucker, PsyD
Kid Confident Book #1 discusses the dynamic of social power, equal and unequal, in the context of friendships and with unfriendly peers. Readers learn how to be more assertive and how to create more self-confidence and balance the power in their friend groups. Check out the book here.
Check out Kid Confident Book #2: Mastering Your Mood in Middle School here.
You Can’t Please Everyone by Ellen Flanagan Burns
Ellie feels like she is disappointing people if she says “no.” With help from her parents and her teacher, Ellie finds the strength to be honest with people and do the right thing for herself by learning how to say “no.” This is a hopeful, helpful story for kids who need reassurance that they can be nice to others and be true to themselves.Check out the book here.
Read an excerpt from the introduction here.
The Friendship Book by Wendy Moss, PhD
Figure out what you want out of your friendships, how to be a good friend, how to resolve conflicts, and much more! Full of practical tips, insightful quizzes, and relatable examples, The Friendship Book is the resource you need to figure out friendship. Check out the book here.
Read an excerpt from The Friendship Book here.
Browse our complete list of more than 20 books about friendship.
