Making friends isn’t always easy! When author Sherry Medley Hamrick watched her daughter Collette struggle to find playmates, she turned to child development experts to help devise creative solutions to the problem at hand. The result – not including Collette’s happy social life – is this helpful picture book/parenting how-to.
The picture book is targeted to children aged 3-6 who are struggling socially and need some gentle help. The story follows a little girl named Collette as she attempts to make friends at the beach. Rejected numerous times, she turns to her mother for support and confidence before beginning to build a sand castle by herself.
Soon the children who rejected Collette moments before are attracted by her sand castle project. Next thing we know, they ask to join in the fun. Because Collette practices the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you – soon all the children are playing together happily.
While Making Friends Is Not Always Easy models behavior and potential solutions to children, the book is also targeted at parents, with an appendix that offers parents nine practical suggestions on how to help their children and three tips they can use to ensure successful play dates. Hamrick helpfully lists additional sources for parents.
Practical, direct and comprehensive, Making Friends Is Not Always Easy proves a welcome resource for parents and kids. Raynald Kudemus’ illustration style is simple and clear, and will invite conversation about the social dynamics on each spread.
For parents and caregivers seeking to help kids navigate the complexity of friendships and play dates, this book should prove a welcome resource.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
