Guthrie & Gretzky
Mom's Choice AwardAbout This Book
Every morning Guthrie and Gretzky stand side by side and peck in the grass for roots and leaves. Later, they search high and low for a feather. At playtime, they team up to play Capture the Floating Feather — and usually win. They are the best of friends.
But then one day everything changes — forcing the two to adapt to a new kind of friendship, one based on sacrifice and thoughtfulness.
Key Themes
- Empathy for friends who are struggling — whether due to injury, illness, allergy, learning difference, or any challenge that changes daily life
- Adapting and finding new ways to be a good friend
- Inclusion and belonging despite difference
- What true loyalty looks like in difficult times
- Kindness as an active choice, not just a feeling
SEL Connections (CASEL-Aligned)
Social awareness
Understanding and responding to a friend's changed circumstances with compassion
Relationship skills
Renegotiating friendship when life changes; communicating care and support
Self-awareness
Recognizing our own discomfort when friends are struggling and choosing empathy anyway
Responsible decision-making
How to be a good friend even when it's hard or unfamiliar
Science & Curriculum Tie-Ins (NGSS-Aligned)
- Morning meeting discussion starter — what does it mean to be a good friend to someone who is going through something difficult?
- Character education unit anchor text
- Community circle discussion about inclusion and adapting to help others
- Classroom conversations about students with different abilities, health needs, or learning differences
Discussion Questions
- What happened to Guthrie? How did it change his life?
- How did Gretzky feel when things changed? Have you ever felt that way when a friend was going through something hard?
- What did Gretzky do to show Guthrie he still cared? What are some ways you can show a friend you care even when things are different?
- Do you know someone who has had an injury, illness, allergy, or learning difference? How could you be a better friend to them?
- What does the story teach us about what friendship really means?