Mentor Text Author Study: Philip C. Stead

By Keila V. Dawson

Friendship is the most popular topic in picture books written for ages 4-8. During those years kids are beginning to learn how to make friends, how to keep friends, and how to be a friend.  Philip Stead books allow readers to experience the meaning of friendship. His quiet stories are not overwhelmed with action or plot and deliver powerful messages about friendship, kindness and empathy.

Stead’s characters are endearing. A story may engage the reader in a common dilemma, a complex problem, or an adventure. Whether whimsical, imaginative, or comforting, I find Stead’s stories inspirational.

Friends are caring

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

This is a heartwarming story about caring for one another. When a zookeeper wakes with the sniffles and can’t go to work, the animals he cares for take care of him.

Friends are helpful & patient

Bear Has a Story to Tell

Bear wants to tell one more story to his animal friends. Each friend he meets is busy preparing for winter so the gentle Bear helps them instead.

Friends are real or imaginary or unexpected

Special Delivery

A determined Sadie wants to deliver an elephant to her Great-Aunt Josephine who “lives almost completely alone and can really use the company.” But that would take too many stamps! So Sadie goes on an adventure to deliver the elephant herself.

A Home for Bird

Vernon the toad finds a new friend, a bird, that doesn’t speak. Vernon worries that the bird is silent because he misses his home. That makes Vernon determined to help Bird find where he belongs.

Samson in the Snow

A friendly woolly mammoth, Samson, meets a little red bird who wants his flowers for her sad mouse friend. Samson wonders what it's like to have a friend. He fell asleep, woke during a blizzard and worried about the little bird so Samson searches for her and finds friends too.

Friendships are comforting

Lenny & Lucy 

Peter moves to a new home in the dark, scary woods across from a bridge. When he can’t sleep, Peter makes Lenny from pillows and blankets to guard the bridge. He worries about Lenny being all alone in the woods so he makes him a friend, Lucy. Together, they discover his new home isn’t so scary or lonely and he even meets a girl who lives next door.

Friends are everywhere

Hello, My Name Is Ruby

A brave little bird, Ruby, introduces herself to every animal she meets, eager to learn about others while trying to make friends. Despite rejection, Rudy persists until she meets a bird who leads her to a flock with a name just like hers.

In addition to Stead's stellar storytelling, his artwork transports readers into the world his characters inhabit, captures their moods, and shows what's in their hearts.  I believe there will always be a place and need for books where friendship, kindness, and empathy are central themes.

What books have you read about friendship that tugs at your heartstrings?

Keila Dawson is the author of THE KING CAKE BABY (Pelican Publishing Co., January 2015). She was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Keila has lived and worked in the Philippines, Japan, Egypt, and on both coasts in the US as a teacher, school administrator, and educational consultant. She has published in LA Créole Genealogy Research Journal, and Among Worlds Magazine – Interaction International. Outside of writing, Keila enjoys travel, tennis, genealogical research and sharing her love of Louisiana culture.