BookTree News - Getting Along & Making Friends, Book Spotlight, Public Locations

Getting Along & Making Friends, Book Spotlight, Public Locations / December 2025

Getting Along & Making Friends

Books Help Children Develop the Skills!

In the world of information on keeping ourselves and our children healthy – from diet and exercise recommendations to expressing emotions – a growing body of scientific evidence confirms that friendship and community are crucial. The how-to's around making friends, though more abstract than for physical health, are best learned by example. Reading books about friendship and getting along with others provides wonderful examples, such as for starting conversations, making others feel welcome, finding common ground, and resolving conflict.

Whether the topic is befriending someone who might at first seem uninterested, connecting with someone who seems very different, finding confidence when new to a group, or simply learning the importance of manners and social graces, books such as those listed below teach by example in fun and effective ways. The fundamental skills of getting along and making friends will serve children throughout their lives, helping them find their place in communities and relationships as healthy and happy adults!

- Kathy Balch, BookTree Founder

Book Spotlight: Getting Along

Stick and Stone, by Beth Ferry and Illustrator Tom Lichtenheld. Stick and Stone bond in this charming, heartwarming, and funny story about helping one another and how we make friends; for ages 2 and up.

Up the Creek, by Nicholas Oldland. In this playfully illustrated contemporary fable, a bear, moose, and beaver, though best of friends, disagree on everything, until they have to work together to overcome adversity on a canoe trip; for ages 3 and up.

Elvis and Romeo, by David Soman and Jacky Davis. Energetic and playful Romeo seems to have little in common with nap-loving Elvis, but there is still a path to friendship between these two canines; for ages 3 and up.

Do Onto Otters, by Laurie Keller. Funny and engaging illustrations bring the golden rule to life in this story of Mr. Rabbit and his effort to get along with his new neighbors, the Otters; for ages 4 and up.

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator Rafael Lopez. Vivid artwork and compelling text draw us into the experience of feeling different from everyone else, overcoming fear, and finding ways to connect; for ages 5 and up.

Reading Develops Empathy!

There is a wealth of research on the connection between reading and increased empathy and social skills. This study, by professors of psychology at Harvard and Princeton Universities and an English professor from McGill University, draws interesting conclusions from neurological imaging of 26 subjects while reading.

Support Our Local Business Partners This Holiday Season and Beyond!

We are so grateful for long-running partnerships with these fabulous local businesses in making BookTree available to the general public. They keep our neighborhoods vibrant and offer great options for holiday shopping and valuable services!

San Francisco: Chloe's Closet (Bernal and Inner Sunset), Fiddlesticks (Hayes Valley), Pet Camp (Presidio Heights), Small Frys (Noe Valley), Sprout SF (Cow Hollow), Sylvan Learning (West Portal).

Marin: A Child's Delight (Corte Madera), Rims & Goggles (Mill Valley), Toy Crazy (Marin Country Mart).

Peninsula: Cheeky Monkey Toys (Menlo Park and Los Altos), Pacifica Athletic Center, Paper Caper (Burlingame).

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