A book on friendship and kindness (7YO girl)

[MayIcarryYourSchoolBooks]

I overheard my 7YO DD playing with two of her friends. For the most part they were just lovely imaginative games but at one point they all started mocking this other girl who goes to their school and calling her a name (this girls wasn't there, so not mocking her to her face, but I feel they probably have done). I realised this is not the first time that they had used this name on her (an animal, as a way of describing a particular physical featured of this girl).

I didn't intervene because it was over quickly but when her friends left, I sat my DD down and had a chat about being unkind, gossiping and hurting others feelings. She took it on board and we read this book together: www.amazon.co.uk/Maybe-Right-Wrong-Dan-Barker/dp/0879757310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420276970&sr=8-1&keywords=maybe+right+maybe+wrong

I would like to find more relevant literature on friendship, kindness, values (nothing religious) accepting others, having other people's feelings in mind.... So far I have found books more relevant to KS1 aged children. My DD is a very strong reader and could do with something more sophisticated than '10 acts of random kindness' type books.

Anyway, I'd love to hear your recommendations of you have any. Many thanks.

I would recommend 'Sleepovers' by Jacqueline Wilson. Deals with mean girl behaviour without being too preachy and has a content suitable for your daughter's age group.

Would definitely suggest 'Crumble Tales' from Amazon. It is a series of short stories written by a teacher advisor that focus on friendship issues. My children really relate to the lead character - who is a girl aged 8/9

www.amazon.co.uk/Crumble-Tales-David-J-Boxall/dp/1480263001/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419076640&sr=8-2&keywords=crumble+tales

is the link. It is a real minefield trying to help your own children make good choices isn't it!!!

Thank you both. Off to check your suggestions in Amazon.

I was going to say Jacqueline Wilson too! Not just the books but the JW magazine and annual (£1.99 in WHSmith yesterday....) tend to have quite thoughtful stuff about the meaning of friendship.

How about The Diddakoi by Rumer Godden about a gypsy/traveller girl who is picked on by other kids. My dd loved it aged 8. Or A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett about a girl who is rich and popular but ostracised by most of her schoolmates when her father dies and she is poor. I have had good discussions about friendship with my dd based on both these books.

That link is great Just. We watched yesterday and then had a greatdiscussion. I have also bought the 'Sleepovers' book and I'm looking into the others. I feel 'Crumble Tales' might be a bit young though. But thank you all very much. You've helped.

Schools round here are using this www.stonewall.org.uk/at_school/education_for_all/quick_links/8634.asp in PHSE.

I know it's a picture book, but this one is fabulous. .... and you're never too old for picture books!

I'm a bit dubious about the moral of Jaqueline Wilson's 'Sleepovers'. The chief mean girl turns out to be a bedwetter - which is then used to justify laughing at her. I'd give that book a wide berth.

No problem at all - My children are 8 and 10 and they really laughed at Crumble Tales - I had to explain to my husband why it was so funny what kept happening to the Dad in the story!! We loved the way that the main character was a real individual - She copes with all sorts of problems around friendships and comes up the 'right' choice!! Lovely stories