The Buddy Bench

Buddy Benches are arriving in schoolyards across the nation. In this story, the buddy bench launches two new friends on a chilly adventure.

On a surprisingly snowy day in Texas, a young student finds himself braving recess alone. That is until he spots a new face sitting on the school's Buddy Bench. After a quick introduction, the two spend their recess discovering fun ways to enjoy the snow. By the end of recess, both kids leave the playground with a brand new friend. This sweet story of friendship brings the Buddy Bench's purpose to life.

About Buddy Benches: The Buddy or Friendship Bench is a special place in a school playground where a child can sit if they want someone to talk to or play with. Seeing a child on The Buddy Bench is a signal to other kids to ask them to play. The wonderful trend of Buddy Benches is growing across the country as schools and parent groups promote them as a powerful tool to end loneliness and promote empathy in children.

A handy classroom text to discuss inclusion and introduce the Buddy Bench concept.—Kirkus Reviews - Kirkus Reviews

"...great for a back-to-school book especially when there is always a new kid in the classroom."—Youth Services Book Review - Youth Services Book Review

B.D. Cottleston is the pretend name of a real writer who wants to leave it to the reader to enjoy these stories without worrying about what B.D. was thinking when they were written. As a life-long fan of Winnie the Pooh, B.D. picked this pen name to celebrate the spirit of Pooh’s greatest rhyme. As Pooh might say: "Cottleston, Cottleston, Cottleston pie. A fly can’t bird, but a bird can fly. Ask who B.D. is and we’ll reply: Cottleston, Cottleston, Cottleston pie."

Hazel Quintanilla has a passion for illustration. She has spent her life mastering a wide variety of media. She has worked on over twenty series in the US, England, and India. Hazel lives and works in Guatemala with her husband and their three cute dogs.