Good Books for Little Friends

Babysitting for Benjamin by Valiska Gregory Frances and Ralph (elderly mice) wanted company—but what they had was trouble when Benjamin (a bunny, and as big as both of them together) came to their home for the afternoon. Then, while shut up in the closet by Benjamin, they figured out what to do, and everyone was happy. Lively, jubilant art.

Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Showoff by Ann Martin When Rachel moves in next door, Olivia thinks she’s nice. But Rachel can do all the things Olivia can do, and neither girl wants to be outdone by the other. Their kindergarten teacher wisely helps them learn to be good friends.

Cinnamon, Mint, & Mothballs by Ruth Tiller Grandmother’s house is very old—it even has a bathtub with claw feet on it. It has a barn, too, but no animals except the cats. Going to sleep would have been hard in the strange bed with strange shapes in the shadows if it hadn’t been for Grandma’s singing as she sewed in another room, and for happy thoughts of the cake you helped put icing on.

Your Dad Was Just Like You by Dolores Johnson Peter was just goofing around when he broke something so precious to his dad that he didn’t even yell at Peter. Peter hurried over to see if he could live with his grandfather. At first, he couldn’t believe it when Grandpa said that Peter was just like his dad. But after he heard all that Grandpa told him, he hurried home even faster.