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Early Childhood Readers Collection

The Early Childhood Readers Collection (ECRC) includes children's literature that highlights and celebrates diversity across a spectrum of inclusion and diversity, from race to sexual orientation to gender identity and disability.

How do I find books related to friendships?

You can add search terms such as friendship* OR friend* to a search within the collection. Using the asterisk will direct the search to include plural and singular forms of the word. Read more about searching tips in Compass here.

Other related subject terms include:

  • Friendship Juvenile Fiction
  • Juvenile Fiction Social Themes Friendship
  • Interpersonal Relations

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away

From Newbery Medalist and New York Times best-selling author Meg Medina comes the bittersweet story of two girls who will always be each other's número uno, even though one is moving away. A big truck with its mouth wide open is parked at the curb, ready to gobble up Evelyn's mirror with the stickers around the edge . . . and the sofa that we bounce on to get to the moon. Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today--not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it's time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina's beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez's colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls' urban neighborhood.

The Circles All Around Us

The debut picture book from the creator of the viral sensation Kid President is a moving take on how we can create bigger and bigger circles of community and connections as we grow--now a New York Times bestseller! In the circles all around us, everywhere that we all go, there's a difference we can make and a love we can all show. This is the story of a circle. When we're first born, our circle is very small, but as we grow and build relationships, our circle keeps getting bigger and bigger to include family, friends, neighbors, community, and beyond. Brad Montague originally created Circles as an Instagram video adorably narrated by his kids, and now this picture book adaptation is the perfect way to start a conversation about how to expand our worlds with kindness and inclusivity--even if it seems scary or uncomfortable. This book makes an ideal new-baby, first-day-of-school, or graduation gift, or any milestone that celebrates someone's world getting bigger. 

El día en Que Descubres Quién Eres

A veces, cuando por fin damos el paso, suceden cosas increibles. Habra veces en que entres a un lugar y no veas a nadie como to. Hay muchas razones por las que uno se puede sentir diferente. Quiza sea por tu apariencia o por la forma en que hablas o de d nde vienes. A lo mejor es por lo que comes o por algon motivo similar. Sea cual sea la raz n, no es facil dar ese paso de entrar a un lugar donde no conoces a nadie; pero de alguna forma lo haces. El lirico texto de Jacqueline Woodson y el deslumbrante arte de Rafael L pez se combinan para celebrar el valor que se requiere para hacernos un lugar en un mundo diferente al nuestro. Y nos mueven a pensar en que si damos el paso y compartimos nuestra historia, es casi seguro que otros se interesen por conocernos mejor.

Birdsong

When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But when she meets an elderly woman artist who lives next door, named Agnes--her world starts to change.  Katherena and Agnes share the same passions for arts and crafts, birds, and nature. But as the seasons change, can Katherna navigate the failing health of her new friend? Award-winning author and artist Julie Flett's textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships, shared passions, and spending time outdoors with the ones we love. Includes a glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree words that appear in the text.

We Laugh Alike / Juntos Nos Reímos

Six kids are ready to play- three speak English. Y tres hablan espanol and three speak Spanish . But all of them laugh alike and together! This clever playground adventure weaves together bilingual Spanish and English conversations, so two groups of children can express similar thoughts in their own languages. A brand new barrier-breaking and friendship-affirming bilingual picture book from award-winning author Carmen T. Bernier-Grand (Diego- Bigger than Life). Three kids are playing at the park when three more arrive. The groups can't understand each other because one trio speaks only English and the other only Spanish. But they can express similar thoughts in their own languages. Aqui interactoan el ingles y el espanol. Can they find a way to play? Of course they can! By watching each other, both groups learn that they are more alike than different and end up discovering new words and making new friends in this adventure propelled by clever integrated Spanish dialogue.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost

A #1 New York Times bestseller! This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season -- or anytime. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can't see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z. Drago's vivid illustrations tell a sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere.

Jenny Mei Is Sad

A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book A Book Riot Best Book With this educational and entertaining picture book, learn how to approach difficult emotions with compassion and understanding--and be the best friend you can be. My friend Jenny Mei is sad. But you might not be able to tell. Jenny Mei still smiles a lot. She makes everyone laugh. And she still likes blue Popsicles the best. But, her friend knows that Jenny Mei is sad, and does her best to be there to support her. This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for introducing kids to the complexity of sadness, and to show them that the best way to be a good friend, especially to someone sad, is by being there for the fun, the not-fun, and everything in between.

A Small Kindness

Teach the importance of goodwill with this impactful picture book with a solid pay-it-forward message to encourage kindness in young children--from the award-winning author of Excellent Ed and Sun! One In a Billion. It was like a game of tag, with one small act of kindness spreading throughout a small community of kids and teachers alike. Award-winning children's book author Stacy McAnulty packs a powerful punch with minimal text, providing a sweet message about all the small ways one can be kind. Illustrator Wendy Leach creates a diverse cast of characters while using color as a visual cue to how kindness is able to spread, even in a small community like a school. Overall, A Small Kindness is sure to speak to this new generation of children and their parents.

Everybody's Welcome

Fans of the New York Times bestseller All Are Welcome will love this timely tale about kindess, empathy, and charity, with clever peek-through holes that beckon young readers inside. Poor Frog's pond has dried up and he has nowhere to live. Luckily, he meets friendly Mouse, who is building a new house. "Everybody's welcome, no matter who they are," explains Mouse. "Wherever they may come from, whether near or far." As Frog and Mouse work together, they meet more animals without a place to live. Soon, they all join in to build a big, beautiful home where everyone is welcome, safe, and warm. In this sweet forest setting, children will learn how important it is to extend a generous hand to those in need, whether neighbors in crisis, a friend with a problem, or a family immigrating to a new country. It's a much-needed and comforting story that will inspire useful conversations about the world today.

Hello, Friend / Hola, Amigo (Bilingual)

Latin Grammy Award-winning children's musical duo 123 Andrés brings us a bilingual friendship song in board book form! This fun, bouncy bilingual song from 123 Andrés' Grammy Award-winning album is brought to life in a whole new way that's perfect for storytime sharing! Sara Palacios animates this popular song with vibrant, fresh illustrations that will engage little ones and their parents. ¡Esta canción divertida y vivaz de 123 Andrés, incluida en su album ganador de un Grammy, cobra vida de un modo totalmente nuevo, perfecto para la hora del cuento! Por su parte, Sara Palacios anima esta popular canción con ilustraciones frescas y vibrantes que involucrarán a los pequeños y a sus padres.

Peace

Peace is on purpose. Peace is a choice. Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice. From a hello and pronouncing your friend's name correctly to giving more than you take and saying I'm sorry, this simple concept book explores definitions of peace and actions small and big that foster it. Award-winning authors, Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul, have teamed up with illustrator Estelí Meza--winner of the 'A la Orilla del Viento' the premier Picture Book Contest Award in Mexico--to create an inspiring look at things we can all do to bring peace into our lives and world.

We Move Together

A bold and colourful exploration of all the ways that people navigate through the spaces around them and a celebration of the relationships we build along the way. We Move Together follows a mixed-ability group of kids as they creatively negotiate everyday barriers and find joy and connection in disability culture and community. A perfect tool for families, schools, and libraries to facilitate conversations about disability, accessibility, social justice and community building. Includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 6-9).