Words to Make a Friend
By Donna Jo Napoli
The Story
A young girl moves to a new country and befriends a neighbor despite a language barrier, using gestures and drawings to communicate, discovering that friendship can be built without words.
Why It's Special
If your child loves exploring new friendships and unique storytelling, Words to Make a Friend is a heartwarming choice.
- Big idea: This book beautifully captures the journey of two children who bridge a language gap and form a connection through gestures and shared experiences.
- Vibes: Enchanting and gentle, it offers a tender look at how kindness and curiosity can grow into friendship.
Notice how the story unfolds visually as much as through words, making it a lovely moment for discussing body language and expression with your child.
Perfect For Kids Who...
- enjoy stories about friendship
- like to explore diverse cultures and languages
- are working on understanding non-verbal cues
- appreciate illustrations that tell their own story
Ask Your Little Reader
Invite your child to dive deeper into the story with these questions.
- Story & problem-solving: How do the children communicate with each other when they don't speak the same language?
- Feelings & empathy: How might each child feel when they first meet and realize they speak different languages?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever made a friend without using words? What did you do to communicate?
- Imagination: What other ways could the children use to share their favorite games or stories? Encourage your child to draw a scene of how they might make a new friend from another culture.