Cultivate empathy and boost key reading skills with this collection of 40 books (4 copies of 10 titles) multicultural stories that center on friendships and school experiences. Although the characters come from different cultural backgrounds, their experiences, which include feeling first-day jitters, making new friends, and conquering fears, are universally relatable. Each book provides background information and discussion prompts. Includes a 16-page teaching guide with skill-building activity pages and a companion website.