Be a Bridge
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
In this upbeat picture book, acclaimed authors Irene Latham and Charles Waters bring key themes from their earlier collaborations (Can I Touch Your Hair? and Dictionary for a Better World) to a young audience.
Rhyming verse describes different ways in which readers can "be a bridge," from welcoming a new student and listening respectfully when someone else is talking to standing up to a bully and comforting a classmate who is upset.
Nabila Adani's cheerful illustrations depict a diverse group of students, including young versions of Charles and Irene. Scan a Page Plus QR code at the end of the book to download a Bridge Builder Pledge. An ideal book to share with students in the fall to set the tone for the whole school year!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Beginning with a Rumi quote—"Love is the bridge between you and everything"—previous collaborators Latham and Waters reteam for this rhyming exploration of how children can learn to be a "bridge," building key connections through kindness. Brief, unevenly scanning quatrains describe various ways to exhibit kindness, connection, and respect throughout the school day: "When someone new walks in,/ be the first to say hello./ Your smile could be the sunshine/ that helps a friendship grow." Other actions include inviting kids to play, calling out classmates for unkind acts, empathizing, and listening. And after school is dismissed, the story continues visually, via Adani's kid-centered digital artwork, which shows the variously inclusive students and teachers creating a bridge-themed community art project. An authors' note, "bridge builder" activities, and a pledge conclude. Ages 4–9.
