Making a Friend

PreS-Gr 1—Beaver is good at making lots of things yet despite all efforts, he's just not able to make a friend. Beaver decides to use a snowfall to make a friend in a different way. In doing, so he attracts the attention of Raccoon, and their collaborative effort in the creation of a snowman also develops a friendship. Raccoon and Beaver appear in digital art with large, expressive eyes and cartoon smiles featuring a range of emotions as they work together rolling, patting, and stacking snow. They add raisins and branches, offer opportunities to play or even join a parade to encourage their new snow friend to say "Wow" or "Thanks" or anything." Disappointment follows. "This friend was not much of a friend at all. In fact, he seemed rather cold." This title frames a friendship in the making as it first grows undiscovered, awareness of a true friendship arrives unexpectedly, and the relationship suddenly blossoms. Clever text, dialogue, and easily identifiable emotions of its characters make it a welcome addition to materials for social emotional learning.