Alone Together

Bloom, S. (2014). Alone Together. Honesdale. PA: Boyds Mills Press, Inc.

Alone Together is a cute tale of a fox, a goose, and a bear. Bear likes to be alone. Fox thinks that he likes to be alone too, so he goes to visit Bear. Fox questions Bear asking if he is sad or lonely; however Bear replies that he likes it quiet sometimes. So, Fox explains to Bear how he likes to swoosh through leaves when he is alone. Bear tells him that is not being quiet. Goose later joins their "alone group" and Bear obliges as long as they are both as quiet as a fox. 

This story is interesting because it challenges the ideas of being alone. It can be very helpful for opening up a discussion with children struggling with why some children do not want to play with them or why some children need quiet time or space. The story also shows children who like alone time that some other children do not like being alone because it makes them feel sad or lonely. The story really is terrific. I would recommend it for Kindergarten-Second Grade. The book is relatively short and the word choice is easy to understand. Most Kindergarten-Second grader should have no problem comprehending the story and understanding the ideas. 

Obviously the conflicts represented are relevant to children. The ways in which they are resolved are compromising and peaceful. These skills are essential to classroom and life behaviors. The characters represented our animals and they are all represented with different personality types and preferences. The book does not show male/female bias whatsoever as there are no sexes listed within the book. 

Lexile Level: BR (Beginning Reader) used for discussion purposes- usually not read independently

Literary Elements:

Character: 2 Characters are inquisitive, curious, outgoing, people-person 

1 Character is quiet, introverted, shy

Language: The language is basic but speaks to a principle of different personalities

Structure: Set up with an opinion, a conflict, a discussion, mutual understanding and resolution of both parties