Words to Make a Friend
By Donna Jo Napoli
The Story
A Japanese girl moving into a new house spots an American girl playing in the snow outside, and though neither speaks the other's language, they team up to build a snow creature together.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's ever felt shy about talking to someone new, this shows that a wave, a smile, and a shared pile of snow can say plenty.
- Big idea: Friendship doesn't wait for a shared language — curiosity and play are their own kind of speaking.
- Vibes: Cozy, wintry, and warmhearted, with a quiet sense of discovery.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on making friends with new people
- enjoy stories about kindness and connection
- like to act out ideas with gestures and play
- respond well to hearing words from other languages
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: How did the two girls figure out how to play together without speaking the same language?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the Japanese girl felt when she first saw someone her age outside her new window?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever made a friend even when it was hard to talk to them at first?
- Language & imagination: What are some ways you could show someone what you mean without using words?
- Creative play: If you were building a snow creature with a new friend, what would you want to make?
