By Wendy Meddour (author) , Daniel Egnéus (illustrator)
"Warm, touching, insightful story about making friends"
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Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2023 ages 3-6
Tilly and Shadow her dog have moved into a new house. They love playing by ‘the splash and curl of the sea’ and have lots of fun together on the beach. But Shadow can’t go to Tilly’s new school, he has to stay outside with Mum. At breaktime, Tilly has to play all on her own. Her teacher suggests she visits the Friendship Bench, ‘Children find new friends to play with there.’ But when Tilly gets to the bench, there’s already somebody on it. Her teacher encourages her to try again and soon the bench is working.
The text is perfectly judged so that the very youngest will understand the magic of making friends, while the illustrations by Daniel Egnéus are full of light, sunshine and the sounds of children playing. Another beautiful, touching picture book from this award-winning team.
You can find more books with this theme in our Collection of Brilliant Books about Friendship
Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog. But when it is time to start her new school, Shadow and Mummy must stay outside.
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And inside is full of strangers. 'Why don't you try The Friendship Bench?' says her teacher, when Tilly is playing alone. 'It helps children find new friends to play with.' But when Tilly gets there, somebody is already on it.
Praise for Tibble and Grandpa:
'Egneus's warm, rich light-filled collages and Meddour's perfectly judged, very simple text effortlessly convey sorrow and abiding love.' - The Guardian
'This warm and touching picturebook, about a child's kindness to another, features children who have crossed a sea from a war to live in a world of tents. Evocative drawings express sadness and hope. - One to Watch Out For' - The Sunday Times
Praise for Lubna and Pebble:
'Spacious, soaring spreads by Egneus add flashes of imaginative escape to the poignant story by Meddour.' - Publishers Weekly
'At its core, Meddour's story is about the universal themes of friendship and dealing with the unknown.' - Time Magazine, The 10 Best Children's and YA Books 2019
Wendy Meddour is a Doctor of English Literature and an internationally successful and award-winning children’s writer. Her debut children’s book, A Hen in the Wardrobe , was selected as one of the Guardian’s ‘Best 50 diverse Children’s Books since the 1950s’ and won the John C Laurence Award for writing that improves relations between races. Wendy is also the author of several picture books, including the highly acclaimed Lubna and Pebble . Wendy also teaches Creative Writing at Exeter University
Wendy grew up in a little seaside town called Aberystwyth. She is an internationally successful children’s writer, with books translated into multiple languages and featured on CBBC Newsround, Cbeebies Bedtime Story, and BBC Woman’s Hour.
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Tilly has just moved to a new house, by the splash and curl of the sea. She loves doing cartwheels in the sand and playing catch with Mummy and Shadow the dog.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Friendship Bench and determined it is suitable for children aged 0-4 years old
The Friendship Bench features in the following genres: Books for Babies and Toddlers, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), School Stories, Featured Books for 3+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Friendship Bench was written by Wendy Meddour and published by Oxford University Press
The Friendship Bench has 32 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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