The Two of Us Belong Together: A Story About Friendship – Despite Being Different (Cover May Vary) (You are Unique and Precious – by Joëlle Tourlonias)

Themes: Making and Staying Friends | Being Okay with Differences | Emotions in Friendships | Dealing with Change A warm spring morning brings together a hare and a hedgehog in a friendship “as warm as hot chocolate, as sweet as honey, and as big as the blue sky above.” Although the hedgehog is prickly, and the hare is soft, they become friends, respecting and enjoying what makes each of them unique. Seasons change and it’s time for the hedgehog to hibernate. Both the hare and the hedgehog work to emotionally process this separation. Although the hedgehog promises to return, the hare has trouble understanding why he has been left all alone. Through the cold winter, the hare never loses hope that his friend will return. Once a friendly crow explains to him that his friend is hibernating, the hare comes up with a clever plan. When the hedgehog awakes from his winter sleep, he is reunited with his best friend, the hare. The hare has learned from the hedgehog, and has burrowed a big home that they can both share together the next winter, so neither of them have to be alone. This story teaches us that differences in friendship can initially be hard to understand, but can ultimately bring us closer together. It also teaches us that conflict in a friendship is okay, and can be overcome with love. Dealing with change can be very hard, but challenges like these help us to grow.