I am always especially excited to have one of the fabulous Scholastic Storybook DVDs to give away, and this one is extra important for families because it is about what it means to be a friend.  This all-new compilation is headlined by “Bink & Gollie” from Kate DiCamillo, the Newbery Medal-winning author of Because of Winn Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux and Alison McGhee. It is the story of two very different girls who are the best of friends.  Bink is a fashionable, confident girl and Gollie is a rumpled and spontaneous.  They both have ideas about how things should go.  Bink and Gollie don’t agree on anything.  In order to keep their friendship going strong they have to learn about cooperation, compromise, and communication.

The original story for early readers, illustrated by Tony Fucile, won the Theodore Geisel Award.  A sequel, “Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever,” from Candlewick Press, was released last month.

Three other stories about friendship are also included on the DVD, along with interviews with writers and illustrators:

“A Sick Day for Amos Mcgee” (by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, narrated by David de Vries) – Amos receives unexpected guests from the zoo when he’s home with the sniffles and sneezes.

“The Other Side” (by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, narrated by Toshi Widoff-Woodson) – A friendship develops between two kids from opposite sides of a segregated town.

“Cat and Canary” (written and illustrated by Michael Foreman) – Cat’s unlikely friend Canary shows him a great time when his master is away at work.

I have one copy to give away.  Send me an email with “Gollie” in the subject line and tell me the name of a special friend in your life.  Don’t forget your address!  (US addresses only).  I’ll pick a winner at random on May 29.  Good luck!