About This Book
When a child is learning how to navigate the small but significant bumps in a friendship, this book offers a reassuring and simple story. 'Matthew and Emma' follows two friends who encounter a common childhood dilemma: they both want to play different games. Through their gentle disagreement and eventual resolution, the story models empathy, compromise, and the importance of finding a way to play together. Its simple vocabulary and clear narrative make it perfect for emerging readers aged 5 to 7, providing a valuable tool for parents to open a conversation about solving problems with friends and valuing connection over being right.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The book focuses on a very low-stakes, common childhood conflict with a positive and straightforward resolution.
Ideal Reader
A 5 or 6-year-old who is just beginning to navigate independent social interactions at school or during playdates. This is perfect for a child who has experienced their first minor squabble with a friend and is upset or confused by the conflict.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed. The book's simplicity and directness allow it to be read cold. The situation is universally relatable for young children, and the resolution is positive and easy to understand. The parent has just witnessed their child in a standoff with a friend over a toy or game, or the child has come home from school sad, saying, "Leo wouldn't play what I wanted to play, so we didn't play at all."
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