As a child, I was painfully shy. Just the thought of having to speak to a stranger was enough to make me cry. Not only was this difficult for me in general, we also moved several times when I was a child. Making new friends was NOT easy for me, and I know it’s a tough thing for many kids.
Tom Shinderling‘s delightful new children’s book, Wally Wuzzlemoore Makes New Friends, is a great resource for families experiencing change or children who have social anxieties. In the story, Wally Wuzzlemoore and his mother, both charming little monsters, move to a new town and Wally sets out to make friends. Along the way, he discovers that other people are different from him, and that’s okay! He also learns that while his peers might not all have the same interests and abilities as him, he can still be friendly and nice to them.
I love this book because it teaches kids valuable lessons about friends and classmates. Every child doesn’t have to be your best friend, but they still are owed your time and kindness. There are lots of types of people in this world, but we can learn from one another and get to know what we want and need in a friend – that’s a lesson even adults can use!
This book is wonderful for kids who are new to a town or school, and in my job at a private school and as a foster parent, I can think of many ways I will use this book. I know lots of kids who do not make friends very easily and could benefit from this lovely story about a monster going through the same thing!
You can pick up Wally Wuzzlemoore Makes New Friends or other titles from Tom Schinderling on his website or at online retailers Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
**Disclosure** I was offered a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this post.
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