The Friendship Bench: A Place to Sit, A Way to Play

The Friendship Bench: A Place to Sit, A Way to Play
 
AUTHOR: Iris Wright-Hart
 
READING LEVEL:  
5+
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THEMES: 
friendship bench book
books about inclusion for kids
sickle cell disease children's book
kindness books for elementary students
social emotional learning picture book
books about chronic illness for children
diverse children's friendship stories
 
SYNOPSIS:
 
What happens when you want to play, but your body needs to rest?
 
At recess, children from different backgrounds gather at the Friendship Bench. Some are tired. Some are hurting. Others feel left out. But one thing is true for all of them—they still want to play.
 
As each child joins the bench, they discover new games, share their experiences, and build something unexpected together. What begins as a place to rest becomes a place for friendship, laughter, and belonging.
 
The Friendship Bench: A Place to Sit, A Way to Play is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates:
✓ Friendship and inclusion
✓ Kindness and empathy
✓ Creative problem solving
✓ Diverse cultures and backgrounds
✓ Representation for children living with sickle cell disease and related blood disorders
 
Perfect for classrooms, libraries, counselors, healthcare professionals, and families, this uplifting story reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to belong—and there is always a way to play.