Together by Jane Simmons

Mousse and Nut (two very different dogs) are the best of friends until one day something goes wrong. Nut jumps onto a wall, but it is too high for Mousse. Mousse jumps in the lake but Nut cannot swim.

"You're not my best friend any more,' said Mousse, unhappily. 'You're not mine then,' said Nut. Everything was horrible."

You need to notice the way Jane Simmons uses weather in her story. When Mousse and Nut begin their friendship the rain clears away and the sunshine breaks through the clouds. As their friendship shatters the dark cloud gather. Both retreat to their kennel homes to watch the rain. Mousse and Nut are miserable. Mousse makes the first move - setting out to talk to Nut. 

"They smiled at each other. The rain stopped and sunshine broke through the clouds."

A topic that is often requested by teachers of young children is friendship. A picture book can be a great way to show the ups and downs of friendship and also these books can also be great discussion starters or simply terrific for an adult to share with one child - the book can be a safe way to make sense of conflicts that should be seen as a 'normal' part of navigating relationships and especially friendships.

I highly recommend this book Together - it was published in 2006 but I am sure you will find a copy in a library - that's where I found it. You should also look for other books by Jane Simmons - I really like her 'soft focus' almost 'cuddly' illustrations.

In your library it might be fun to display other books with the word 'together' in the title:

We are together

Here is another book I love to share with children about 'weathering' the ups and downs of friendship:

A friend like Ed

Little Bear's Big Jumper by David Bedford illustrated by Caroline Pedler

Big Bear loves his jumper. It is soft and cozy and just right! Well not quite. Big Bear is now way bigger than when his mum knitted this jumper and now it is really way too small. Mum suggests Big Bear give his jumper to his brother - Little Bear. Big Bear does not want to do this but he agrees only if Little Bear promises to look after the jumper and keep it safe.

The brothers head out for a day of fun but unfortunately the fun turns into a disaster. The jumper gets wet and worse. Big Bear tells Little Bear he does not want to play anymore. But then Big Bear discovers he does need his friend (his brother) because games are better with two people. He sets out to find Little Bear to apologise but instead he finds a strand of wool. Oh no the jumper is unravelling. 

This book beautifully looks at ways to resolve a dispute and I adore the kindness of the mum at the end. If you have an older book called Little Bears Little Boat that could be a good comparison text and also it will give you a way to talk about growing up and change. 

I am not sure if this still happens but years ago an Australian publisher called Koala Books used to source terrific picture books, mainly from the UK, and publish or distribute them here in Australia. I remember in my former library a list would arrive I would just tick off nearly every title. This book Little Bear's Big Jumper was published in 2008. (US blog readers a jumper is a sweater). 

My friend has a collection of books about knitting. We always check to see if they meet the Betsy Bird's knitting image criteria - the illustration has to look like the character is actually knitting - holding the needles correctly.

Here are some other books by David Bedford:

David Bedford is also the author of an out of print but terrific little junior book series about soccer (football). 

Here are a few of my own favourite books about knitting and jumpers!

Something Absolutely Enormous

A Friendship Yarn

Extra Yarn (for older readers aged 8+)

The Bush Jumper and Lester's Dreadful Sweaters