Surprise, surprise! There are gender differences in the way boys and girls tend to develop friendships from as early as three to four years. Generally, girls are better at empathising and have a stronger ability to read other children’s moods

. Adapted again and again as an animation, film, stage play and television series, Kenneth Grahame’s story, which afforded the wildlife human characteristics, brings themes of friendship and morality to children’s books.Buy The Wind In The Willows

Toddlers are instinctively attracted to shapes that resemble the human face, hence your child’s love of squishy circular playthings.Even early friendships have their ups and downs – it is around the 18 month mark that toddlers begin to have

Bond of BrothersA twist of fate means that brothers James and Damian Galt share a close alliance and an extra special friendship. Their mother, Vicki, tells their storyWild At ArtVivid colours, dramatic swirls and brilliant designs, the world of art has much

, and their sense of teamwork and friendships.”What was your favourite book as a child? “I’ve always been a big fan of Roald Dahl and so many of his short stories and imaginative tales that range from James And The Giant Peach to Willy Wonka.”What was your first day

adventure and instead found friendship. An out-of-this-world family production at Artsdepot. South Ken Kids FestivalNovember 24–27A cosmopolitan celebration of children’s literature from the Institut Français featuring talks and workshops by favourite

father dies, she is forced to work at the school as a maid. It is a lovely story about friendship, and about right winning out in the end. I love the way the characters show their true colours when Sara Crewe is down on her luck. The bad characters

this to happen. With phone in hand you have three options. One: you can take the cowardly route and let the little darling come – children’s friendships change all the time, after all, and the birthday girl will be too excited to care on the day anyway. Two: save

friendships. STEP EIGHTt Make Time For YourselfThere’s ironing to do, my wardrobe is a disaster, the car needs a wash, and I have a dozen calls to return. But I can do it all later. Right now, I’m enjoying time alone with no children, no husband

, brings themes of friendship and morality to children’s books. 42Goodnight Moonby Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd Campbell, £4.99 (first published 1947) A sweet and enduring bedtime book in which the reader can say goodnight to the objects