Anti-bullying charity Kidscape have teamed up with Andersen Press, publishers of the beloved Elmer books, to promote Friendship Friday this November.

Friendship Friday (8th Nov) is celebrated in nurseries and primary schools throughout England and Wales, helping children build happy and healthy relationships for life.

The free Friendship Friday resource pack is available from the Kidscape website now.

Friendship Friday is an opportunity to build bullying prevention into early years education and involve younger children in plans for Anti-Bullying Week.

Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of Kidscape said:

We’re helping more and more families who are concerned about bullying in younger children. The aim of Friendship Friday is to help children, schools and parents build kind and caring communities where all children can thrive. We’re delighted to be working with Andersen Press and Elmer as Elmer champions friendship, kindness and inclusivity, which are at the heart of Kidscape’s work and Friendship Friday.

David McKee, creator of Elmer said:

For nearly 30 years now Elmer has stood for accepting who you are and celebrating difference. We are all different, with so many differences, difference of colour, of accents, but also of size, shape and how we dress. The differences are what make the world so rich. If Elmer can help in any way, no matter how small, to encourage friendships then he will, he tells me, feel very proud. As will I as his creator.