The Buddy Bench

PreS-Gr 2–On a rare snowy day in Texas, a young boy decides to take advantage of the chilly weather but can’t find anyone willing to play outside. He decides to sit on the Buddy Bench, a space on the playground for anyone looking for someone to talk to or play with. Luckily, Shae answers his call for a friend to frolic with in the snow. Having lived in a cold climate previously, Shae is an expert on which games work well in the snow (making forts, capture the flag, pin the carrot on the snowman) and which don’t (basketball, baseball). Other children join in and have a wonderful time playing outdoors as well, especially when a cafeteria tray becomes a sled. The narrator realizes that he has learned quite a bit just by sitting on the Buddy Bench that day. Whether you are looking for a new friend or want to get to know an old friend, the Buddy Bench is the place to start. The author introduces readers to the reasoning behind the Buddy Bench, how it works, and ideas for getting one in their school.