The Rainbow Fish: 3-6 years
Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the sea. But he is also proud and vain, and therefore has no friends. Only when he gives one of his beautiful shiny scales away - and more later - the other fish start to like him. This is when he realises that it is more important to have friends than to be the most beautiful fish in the sea! After reading this story to your child, you can talk to him or her about it and tell your child that there is no need for Rainbow Fish to give all his scales away either. As friends, you share things with each other and you do not have to change yourself for that. After all, if Rainbow Fish had given away all his scales, would he still have been Rainbow Fish? There is a video on YouTube of children telling the story of Rainbow Fish. It is definitely also fun to show the story visually and hear it. Available to order on Bol.com.
Een schildpad was zijn schildje kwijt: 3-6 years
Turtle has looked everywhere, but he can’t find his shell anywhere. It fills him with sadness, because what is a turtle without a shell? One day, he is awoken by a cheerful melody coming from a sweet little bird that wants to help him. Unable to find his old shell, they do come up with a fantastic solution: a new shell made of twigs! A great story about a friendship between two different animals, who help each other and find a solution together. There is a video on YouTube where the story is captured in song. We have this book available at the Partou daycare centres to read to children on the National Read Aloud Days. Available to order on Bol.com.
Samen spelen: 0-3 years
Woozle and Pip play with their friends Neighbour Cat, Little Mole and the Singing Tulips every day. They play tag and hide-and-seek, do circus performances, and go to Neighbour Cat's party. There’s nothing more fun than playing together! And you also learn a lot in the process, such as being considerate and sharing things. Go onto YouTube with your child after reading this story to watch the matching episode on the Woozle and Pip channel (in Dutch). Available to order on Bol.com.
The Two Squirrels Who Squabbled: 4-6 years
Once you have made friends, it is great to discover all the things you can do together. But how do you work together on something? In The Two Squirrels Who Squabbled picture book, two cousins both have their eye on that one last remaining pine cone. They get so greedy about it that they ultimately get themselves into all kinds of trouble, which they can only get out of by working together. If you are unable to get your hands on the actual book, you can also find it on YouTube with your children. The child reading the book in the video is, however, not always easy to understand, but you can still tell the children the story with all the pictures. Available to order on Bol.com.
The Storm Whale: 3-6 years
Noi lives by the sea with his dad and six cats. Noi’s dad is a fisherman and generally out at sea all day, so Noi often feels lonely. One day, after a storm, Noi finds a whale washed up on the shore, and decides to take it home to look after it. Finally he has a friend! But...a whale can’t live in a bathtub, can it? This book is a great way to start a conversation with your child about loneliness and friends. Make a list together of all the things Noi can do alone and with a friend. You will find a copy of this book at many of our daycare centres. Available to order on Bol.com.
Vriendjes: 2-4 years
The colourful monsters in this book are true friends. And so, they play and hug together, but also argue, quarrel, and cry from time to time. And then they just hope they can patch things up quickly. That is what friends do. This book is illustrated with stunning drawings. The story invites children to share about the emotions that go with friendship, and you can make a drawing together on the black paper using brightly coloured crayons. There is also a short video on YouTube of the author/illustrator of this book making a special drawing on black paper. Available to order on Bol.com.
Samen kunnen we alles: 3-6 years
In the read-aloud book entitled Samen kunnen we alles (Together we can do anything), the characters Bear, Beaver, and Hedgehog show that they are true friends, even if they are very different. When Beaver gets hurt, Bear and Hedgehog finish his lodge (in their own distinct way). Or do they? Bear does all the heavy lifting, but what does Hedgehog actually do? It is great to talk about with your child. Is the two animals’ friendship really one of equals? Or does one put more effort into the friendship than the other? And what happens when Beaver is not very pleased with the lodge they built? How do you handle this kind of situation? Talk about it. Available to order on Bol.com.
Frog and the Stranger: 3-6 years
If you are familiar with the Frog series of books and cartoons, you will know that he has quite a few friends. In Frog and the Stranger, we meet Rat, a stranger that others initially give a wide berth. Rat is different, acts differently, smells differently... But when there’s an emergency, Rat swoops in to help. Once the animals get to know Rat better, it turns out he is kind and helpful. This book is an invitation to get to know that one stranger better, who knows what you might have in common! A good book to start a conversation about diversity with your child. Also check out the Frog and the Stranger episode on YouTube. Available to order on Bol.com.
Can I Join Your Club?: 3-6 years
Can I Join Your Club? It’s an often-heard question among children. But... what if no one lets you join their club? In this book, Duck has exactly that problem. He's not sporty enough for Lion, not smart enough for Elephant, and not musical enough for Snake. In other words, he cannot make the right sound, all he can do is QUACK. What do you do in that case? You start your own club! And do you know what? Anyone can join. This story is a way to tell your child that as long as you stay true to yourself and be kind and fun, you will have your own club soon enough. If others won't let you join their group, start your own! Check out the digital picture book on YouTube. Available to order on Bol.com.
De Smoezels - De knotsgekke avonturen van opa Smoezel: 4 – 6 years
Granddads have seen and done a lot in their long lives and they have the greatest stories. Granddad Smoezel is definitely one of these granddads, because he is over 700 years old and has been on many special adventures. With great passion he tells the smoezel children about his time as an astronaut and deep-sea diver. He hopes his stories will send the children to sleep, so that he can get some rest, but will it work? The children of various Partou centres will be visiting care homes or we will welcome elderly visitors to our centres. This is how we are doing our bit in taking action against loneliness among the elderly. Available to order on Bol.com.
Up The Mountain: 3 – 6 years
A great read-aloud on friendship between young and old. Mrs Badger walks up the mountain every Sunday to enjoy the view. One day, she meets little Leo, who would like to join her on her journey. But Leo is a little bit afraid. Mrs Badger gives her the confidence to make it up the mountain. Every Sunday, they head out together and Mrs Badger shows Leo the beauty of nature and how important it is to help others. They forge a beautiful friendship, which continues when Mrs Badger becomes too old to walk up the mountain. This is a book we read to the children to raise awareness of the fact that everyone needs friends, no matter what age you are. Available to order on Bol.com.
Nut and Bolt: 4 – 6 years
A donkey called Bolt and a mouse called Nut want to play grandma and granddad. But what exactly do grandmas and granddads do? And are these things especially for old people or would Bolt and Nut enjoy them too? As they play, they realise that there is not really that much difference between young and old, because they also enjoy the things that grandmas and granddads enjoy doing. This book is a great inspiration to sit down with your child and make a card for grandma and/or granddad together. Available to order on Bol.com.
Opa en oma gezocht:5 – 6 years
Ruben is sad that he doesn’t have a grandma and granddad who can tell him what his parents were like when they were young. Together with Sara, he visits Sara’s great-grandmother, who lives in a care home. After the visit, they go looking for a granddad or grandma for Ruben. At the care home, they see the different sides to old age: dementia, deafness, fatigue. Their search ends with a surprising twist... Want to take action against loneliness among the elderly together with your child? Take a look at our tips and join the fight together with your child. Available to order on Bol.com.