Pistes d'exploration

Start a class anchor chart of do’s and don’ts for being a good friend. Add to the list as you read.

Draw a picture that incorporates a seesaw and an idea about friendship. Assemble your illustrations to create a class book on friendship.

Read one of the companion books about friendship. Make connections between the events in the story and the ideas in this book.

Brainstorm and list the features of a friendship. Write a class definition of friendship.

In small teams, compare how friendship can be balanced or unbalanced. On a T-chart, give a variety of examples of both.

Read other books involving friendships and identify the types of relationships. Are they balanced? Do they change?

Write about a friendship, giving examples of times when it is balanced, and times when it is not balanced.

Friends, A Visitor for Bear

Mots-clés

Picture book , companionship , friendship , kindness , problem-solving , relationships , teamwork

Commentaire descriptif

Using direct teaching language, this book defines aspects of friendship: “When things are balanced, both friends feel happy.” Extremely engaging illustrations draw readers into the drama behind the rational language, with sketchy images featuring a cast of adorable animal friends. The opening spread depicts a birthday party. A dozen animal characters gather around the badger, their rough-sketched bodies twisting with excitement. Watercolour washes in clear, light tones reflect the happy mood of the moment. These animal friends act out a variety of scenarios in a way that’s sure to hold youngsters’ attention. In one stormy image, the owl sits perilously close to the end of a downward-tilting branch. “Sometimes … you might feel bad about the friendships.” In another, the rabbit scowls at his friend, one tiny paw lifted to exclude him from a card game. Through this clever teamwork, a rich range of emotional expression is portrayed as the language helpfully defines emotions and offers suggestions for getting on track: “Sometimes we might need to stop and check if our own friendship skills are working.” An author’s note to parents and teachers is included in this wise, enjoyable book.