The Friendship Bench: A Place to Sit, A Way to Play

What happens when you want to play, but your body needs to rest?

At recess, children from different backgrounds gather at the Friendship Bench. Some are tired. Some are hurting. Others feel left out. But one thing is true for all of them—they still want to play.

As each child joins the bench, they discover new games, share their experiences, and build something unexpected together. What begins as a place to rest becomes a place for friendship, laughter, and belonging.

The Friendship Bench: A Place to Sit, A Way to Play is a heartwarming picture book that celebrates:

• Friendship and inclusion
• Kindness and empathy
• Creative problem solving
• Diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Representation for children living with sickle cell disease and related blood disorders

Perfect for classrooms, libraries, counselors, healthcare professionals, and families, this uplifting story reminds readers that everyone deserves a place to belong—and there is always a way to play.

Features characters inspired by the drawings of Omani' Valentin and Francis Abwa Njie