Sam's Park Friend

What happens

There's a new boy at the park, sitting alone on a bench looking at his shoes. Sam walks over slowly and says hi; Jin says he just moved here and doesn't know anyone. "You know me now," says Sam, and sits down. From there it's a sandcastle, water poured on the towers, a ladybug on the wall, swings pumped high, crackers split two ways, and a dog that fetches a stick — and then, at gold-and-pink o'clock, an arrangement to meet at the same bench tomorrow.

Why it works at bedtime

For a shy child, or one starting somewhere new. It's specific about how a friendship actually starts — walk over, say your name, sit down — which is more useful to a three-year-old than being told to be friendly.

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