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I’m a big fan of buddy benches. I like the idea of them, I love the conversation that surrounds them, and I even dig the benches themselves. They look warm, inviting, creative. A nice little beacon of hope and acceptance on a school playground. Why not!
I took these photos at my neighborhood school. If you send me a jpeg of the buddy bench at your school, I’ll send along a signed copy of my book Everybody Needs a Buddy, from the “Big Idea Gang” series.
Yeah, that’s right, I like buddy benches so much I even wrote a book about one, more or less. Email your photo to me at Jamespreller@aol.com, along with the subject heading, BUDDY BENCH. Please include a return address and I’ll get a signed book to you in the mail — while supplies last!
Thank you.
FROM BOOKLIST REVIEW . . .
“The narrative features children of various cultural backgrounds and genders hanging out together and cooperating in order to improve their community. Preller addresses topics such as kindness, activism, immigration, community involvement, and the dangers of gossip in an approachable way for a young audience. Readers will appreciate the numerous cartoon illustrations, short chapters with snappy titles, and large print with wide page margins. This title has classroom appeal and is perfect for kids not quite ready for Wonder. The other title in the set, The Worst Mascot Ever, appears to be the series opener, but readers can jump into this volume with no trouble. VERDICT A fresh new series nudging emerging readers towards social change and kindness towards others.–Kate Nafz, Fair Lawn Public Library, NJ
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