Saying goodbye is hard. Whether readers have friends and family that are moving away or are moving away themselves, it’s a difficult transition full of uncertainty. Everyone has their own way of facing that change whether it’s with fun packages sent to a long-distant friend, like Mia and Ben in Paper Planes, or by making a new friend to make an alien place seem just a tad more familiar, like in When Edgar Met Cecil. Whatever the situation, find a sympathetic (and empathetic) book friend in one of these great picture books all about moving and saying goodbye.
Paper Planes
by Jim Helmore
illustrated by Richard Jones
Mia and Ben are the very best of friends. They live side by side at the edge of a great, wide lake. But Ben has terrible news: he and his family are moving far away. How are Mia and Ben going to stay best friends if they’re going to be so far apart? Gorgeous illustrations accompany this gentle story about long-distance friendship that is filled with magic and imagination.
Buy Paper Planes today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
The Snow Lion
by Jim Helmore
illustrated by Richard Jones
After moving to a new home, Caro wishes she had a friend, but she’s too shy to meet the neighborhood kids. With a little imagination, however, Caro finds the Snow Lion. Making new friends isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it in the end. This powerful but gentle story about making new friends is gorgeously illustrated to celebrate the magic and imagination that fills every page and will appeal to any shy or lonely young reader.
Buy The Snow Lion today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3
by Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan
illustrated by Grace Zong
It’s not just the end of the school year at Mayflower Elementary. It’s time to say goodbye to Mrs. McBee, who is leaving the school. Jamaika, William, and the other kids in Room 3 have to figure out a special way to celebrate their beloved teacher. But everyone has a different idea. How can they arrive at an agreement? Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan brings readers an amusing and touching story about transitions and the importance of observing them. With Grace Zong’s charming illustrations, the distinct cast of lively characters comes to life on the page.
Buy Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3 today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
When Edgar Met Cecil
Written and illustrated by Kevin Luthardt
Moving to a new home is hard—even when you’re a robot. When Edgar’s family moves to a new town, everything seems strange and scary. The kids look different. They dress weird. They listen to bizarre music. They eat strange food. And the biggest, weirdest looking kid keeps staring at Edgar. What does he want? As Edgar soon learns, sometimes you have to rise above your fears to make a new friend. And sometimes that friend may be the last person—or alien—you’d expect. Kevin Luthardt utilizes his highly expressive, comical, full-color illustrations and minimal text to poignantly and humorously dramatize this tale of friendship found in unexpected places.
Buy When Edgar Met Cecil today through your local bookstore, Barnes & Noble, or on Amazon.
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