The Buddy Bench

The Buddy Bench: A Children's Book About Kindness, Friendship, and Inclusion

What if a friendship bench at recess could change a child's day - or even their life?

The Buddy Bench is a heartwarming children's picture book that teaches young readers the importance of kindness, friendship, and inclusion. Inspired by real-life buddy benches found on school playgrounds, this story helps children understand that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported.

When a child sits on the buddy bench, it's a brave step toward connection and friendship. Through gentle storytelling and relatable moments, children learn how small acts of kindness can make a big difference--and how choosing to include others creates stronger, more compassionate communities.

Perfect for:

• Parents teaching empathy and kindness
• Classrooms focused on social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Schools promoting inclusion and bullying prevention
• Counselors, libraries, and charter education programs

Why families and educators love The Buddy Bench:

• Encourages emotional intelligence and compassion
• Helps children build confidence and friendship skills
• Supports meaningful conversations about belonging and courage
• Is filled with colorful illustrations & easy-to-read text that will entertain kids
• Ideal for children ages 4-9, including read-alouds and classroom use

Whether shared at home or in school, The Buddy Bench empowers children to be kind leaders--and reminds every child that they are never alone.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one seat...and one friend