My Facebook newsfeed is full of back-to-school photos. Has school started where you live? We drop Hazel off at boarding school for the first time today! My classes begin on Tuesday though. It seems everyone is thinking back-to-school. Today I get to share with you a perfect book for this time of year. It is Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends by Jen Kirkley and illustrated by M. Brayer.
About the Book:
Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends Written by Jen Kirkley & Illustrated by M. BrayerAges: 0+ | 38 Pages | Publisher: Palmetto Publishing | ISBN: 979-8-82292-014-9
Publisher’s Book Summary: Willard DoGooder has trouble making friends in his new class. Things are just … different. One day, he spots a magical trail and sets out on an adventure, where he meets four new friends along the trail. Through these friendships, Willard remembers his teacher’s advice on how to think through differences and appreciate each other just as we are.
PURCHASE LINK
About the Author
Jen Kirkley is a wife and mother of four who works as a physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery. She lives in Louisiana with her family in a house they have enjoyed renovating over the past ten years. On a daily basis, someone in her home is usually dressed up as a superhero or ninja. Jen enjoys running, reading, tea lattes, and road trips.
For more information, visit dogoodbookseries.com
From Me:
It is a new school year which means a new class. Whether it is a new school, new teacher or just a new mix of kids in the class, it can be scary for kids. This book has Willard in a different class than his friends. He has trouble the first day making friends in his new class. His teacher gives him some advice about people's differences. As he is walking home, he sees a path he never noticed before. On the path he meets other animals who have some different tendencies. There is a bear that is always dancing and a tiger who wears glasses and blows bubbles. There is a shark that barks and a squirrel who doesn't like nuts. The group of animals become fast friends and make a dinner together.
I love how this book is a fun story for kids but also has an important message about life and making friends. The advice Willard's teacher gives him is to "name the difference, find something good about it, and move on with kindness." I created this 8.5x11 poster with the advice. You can download it here.
Let's face it the advice is perfect for most of us. When we see a difference from ourselves, we can name it, find something good about it and move on with kindness. It will work for each of us, and it will definitely make our world a better place. The advice is good, and we all need to learn to accept differences. Differences make our world more interesting and help us each grow.
The book is fun, and I love the various activities the animals do. It makes it fun for the kids to imagine each one. I can see this book being read at story times, at home or in the first week of school. I can see kids loving the characters and I hope they will discuss the differences and how we can accept each other with their differences. It is a fun story, and I can see the kids acting out the various activities of the animals. They can act like a dancing bear, bubble blowing tiger and barking shark. It will be a fun story and activity!
Giveaway:
Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends! Good luck!!
Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends: Book Giveaway
