The Buddy Bench

A few months ago, when I first planned to post about The Buddy Bench this week, I hoped more kids would be in school in person... and that those who were going to school in person would have close-to-normal recesses, playing with lots of kids and able to come within 6 feet of each other. Alas, that’s not the case. But, The Buddy Bench is still an important and thought-provoking read, and I believe that even if your children aren’t at school or don’t have normal free time at school, it can have a lasting impact, ensuring that more students feel they belong and are included in the future.The Buddy Bench opens with Miss Mellon dismissing her class to recess. Though they initially charge out the door with smiles on their faces, many have trouble finding games to play or people to play with. Some wonder why no one sees them, one is in a cast and therefore can’t run, one has holes in her shoes and doesn’t feel she fits in... it goes on and on.Fortunately, the other students do notice and invite them to play, but by the time everyone is included, recess is over. When Will asks, “How could we say, / without using words, that we all want to play? / Sometimes we’re too shy, too sad, or too proud. / How can we ask without asking out loud?” the class comes up with the idea for a Buddy Bench, a place to sit and signal that you’d like to play with someone. It can indeed be really hard to ask to play with someone, and it can also be hard to know when someone wants to be included. The Buddy Bench solves both problems!“Now everyone knows when they’re feeling left out, / where to find friends, without any doubt. / And the words on the bench that they made on their own / say Buddy Bench = Nobody Alone.”Be sure to spend some time with the back matter, About Buddy Benches. Brozo covers interesting research into children’s loneliness at school, as well as the history of the first Buddy Bench in the United States (fortunately, they appear to be a worldwide phenomenon!).

This rhyming book explores the different dynamics that take place on the playground and how some kids end up alone. The students of Miss Mellon’s class recognize a problem and with the help of their teacher, they create a buddy bench. This is a safe place for kids to sit when they feel left out or are looking for a friend during recess. I love the message it sends about empathy, inclusiveness, and friendship.⁣⁣I think a lot of primary classrooms would benefit from sharing this story. After reading, discussions about how to recognize when others are being excluded and action steps to take would be extremely helpful. After all, the social dynamics that take place outside the classroom often carry over into the classroom.

The Buddy Bench has great illustrations and rhymes (which are so helpful to young readers) and the inclusion theme is brilliant! It's such a classic issue that needs to be talked about openly in a comfortable way so kids can benefit with a caring and empathetic perspective. All kids-all of us-have felt that way, so it's so relatable and "fixable"-instead of kids internalizing or personalizing similar situations. I'm really looking forward to reading it with all the kids we encounter this year, and seeing what positive discussions & outcomes it generates. Such an amazing and much-needed book. Michelle

My Girl Scout troop is using this for their Girl Scout Bronze award project. Such a great thing for them to do forour small local elementary school, especially in these trying times. Thanks.

I'm getting ready to make a gift of a buddy bench to my grands' school. I got the book to read to my grandchildren and then gift to the school. It addresses all of the kinds of reasons that children end up with no one to play with on the school playground, but does so in a sweet way. Loved it.

My kids and I absolutely love this book! The message of kindness and inclusion is so important, the rhyming story makes it easy to enjoy, and the illustrations are lovely. I’ve recommended it to so many families!

Amazing book about this incredible Phenomenon. Inspiring book about the power of an idea and bringing about positive change in the world.

A beautiful story, perfect for back to school