Ali, Kai and Max at the Playground is the first story in the My Best Friends series, a heartwarming children’s book about friendship, kindness and belonging. It celebrates childhood, imagination and the early friendships that help children grow their confidence, empathy and sense of belonging.

On a bright summer afternoon, three five-year-olds meet on the playground for the very first time. One is kind, one is curious, one is confident. Together they discover how quickly a simple hello can grow into a day filled with laughter, teamwork and big imaginative play. From climbing the jungle gym and blasting off into space to helping a friend feel better after a scraped knee, their adventure shows children what caring, cooperation and true connection look like.

This gentle, rhythmic story draws young listeners into a world where diversity is celebrated, differences are welcomed and every child feels seen and included. Through playful scenes, relatable emotions and supportive friendships, children learn how kindness builds trust, how imagination brings friends together and how belonging helps them flourish. It’s a warm, inclusive book that supports social-emotional learning (SEL), emotional intelligence and early social skills.

Perfect for bedtime, classroom, preschool and kindergarten story time, Ali, Kai and Max at the Playground helps families, teachers and educators nurture empathy, emotional resilience and early friendship and social skills. With a warm, inclusive message, this book reminds us that when children learn to connect and care, they help us all build a better world.

Ideal for children ages 3 to 8.