How kids connect when words fail them

Making a connection with someone special to you is hard enough when you have all the words you need. But what is a person to do when their heart pounds and shyness steals their words, or when language gaps leave them without the knowledge they need? Kindness, admiration and friendship have a power beyond words — and these three picture books explore the ways young people reach out to each other.

“Words to Make a Friend: A Story in Japanese and English” by Donna Jo Napoli and Naoko

Stoop. (Ages 4 through 8. Random House Studio. $17.99.)

One snowy day, two little girls — one still unpacking her belongings — meet as neighbors. At first, they just exchange words, “hello” and “konnichiwa.” But as they build snow creatures, watch birds flitting by and describe their actions in their own languages, they slowly and gently build a friendship and find how much they have in common, beyond words.

“Friends are Friends, Forever” by Dane Liu, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield.

(Ages 4 through 8. Godwin Books. $18.99.)

As Lunar New Year approaches, best friends Dandan and Yueyue spend one more holiday together, making paper snowflakes and eating special food, as Dandan prepares to leave China. “I close my eyes to remember everything,” she says, sighing. But soon she is in her new country, sleeping with a dictionary in her bed, trying to absorb a new language and feel at home in a strange place.

Then one day, a classmate reaches out: Christina shares her art and a kind word, and helps Dandan “untangle” words when her dictionary falls short. Finally Dandan pulls out the powerful gift Yueyue left with her: paper to make special snowflakes “with a new friend in America.”

Secure in the love of her old, generous friend, and warming to the joy of making a new one, Dandan celebrates the new year with a comforting old tradition.

“Love, Violet” by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua.

(Ages 4 through 8. Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers. $18.99.)

For quiet, gentle, magenta-haired Violet, there’s just one classmate who makes her heart race and her imagination fill with dreams of “galloping off on adventures together”: Mira. But every time Mira invited Violet to talk or play, “Violet went shy.”

When Valentine’s Day arrives, Violet decides to let art speak for her, and she creates something special for Mira. At first she can’t bear to give it to her, but after seeing Mira’s kindness and hearing her laugh, Violet wonders, “Could it be Mira wanted to be her valentine?”

In the end, courage (and art) win the day — and the girls find themselves ready for new adventures, together.