The Buddy Bench is an idea that a student learned of from Germany (see the afterwards of the book). It is a bench that students who want to play but are shy, have issues talking, are new, etc. can sit on to 
show they would like to play with someone. Then, the other students can go over and ask them to play. The rules are spelled out in the back of the book (but of course, you can modify them). One is you have to play with the first person who asks you. Another is it is not a place to just sit and socialize.
I am on the fence about this. I am all for inclusion, but some ideas to get this done are better than others. The story is one group of students learn that some of their classmates feel left out and then they decide to start the bench. Patty Brozo recommends the students partake in the making of the bench as this helps them appreciate it. Adult me thinks: Great! Kids learning it is okay to be themselves (shy, having a hard time talking to people) and others know who is wanting to play and extending a friendly hand. The kid me who was that shy kid, sees another way to exclude someone and obviously exclude them by not asking them to play and letting them sit there.
This book is a hard read-aloud unless you want to introduce the concept of a Buddy Bench to your school or classroom. Perhaps it could be adapted to indoor play time when it is raining and recess is indoors, you have a small table that is the “Buddy Table.” The subject is one that can be adapted by the person heading the program, the students and the area/space available.
Mike Deas saves the book from being just a “do good” book with having fun with the students. They are all types and full of color. They are funny and cartoony, but not cartoons. Most likely ages 5 to 8 can enjoy the story, but any age could create The Buddy Bench.