All About Friends A Friendship Book for Kids by Felicity Brooks

Friendship is one of the first and most important social bonds children form, shaping their emotional intelligence, empathy, and sense of belonging. All About Friends: A Friendship Book for Kids by Felicity Brooks is a beautifully crafted guide that helps young readers navigate the joys and challenges of making and keeping friends. Whether your child is naturally outgoing or a little shy, this book offers gentle wisdom, engaging illustrations, and practical advice that makes friendship feel both magical and manageable.

But is this book worth adding to your child’s library? As someone who has read countless children’s books on social skills, I can confidently say that All About Friends stands out for its warmth, inclusivity, and thoughtful approach. Let’s dive into why this book is a must-read.

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Unlike traditional storybooks, All About Friends is structured as a guide rather than a linear narrative. It covers a wide range of friendship-related topics, including:

• Making new friends (how to approach others, finding common interests)
• Being a good friend (kindness, listening, sharing)
• Handling conflicts (arguments, misunderstandings, apologies)
• Different kinds of friendships (best friends, group friendships, online friends)
• Dealing with loneliness or exclusion

The book doesn’t follow a single storyline but instead uses relatable scenarios, colorful illustrations, and interactive questions to engage young readers. Each section feels like a conversation, making complex social concepts easy to digest.

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Since this is a non-fiction guide, there aren’t traditional "characters," but the book excels in presenting diverse, realistic scenarios. The illustrations by Mar Ferrero feature children of different ethnicities, abilities, and personalities, ensuring every reader can see themselves in the pages.

One of the book’s strengths is how it portrays friendship dynamics without oversimplifying them. For example:

• The Shy Child: Tips on how to approach others when feeling nervous.
• The Outgoing Child: Reminders to be mindful of others’ feelings.
• The Child Who Struggles with Conflict: Guidance on resolving disagreements kindly.

This inclusivity makes the book valuable for all kids, regardless of their social comfort level.

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Felicity Brooks has a gift for making big ideas feel simple. Her writing is:

• Conversational: Feels like a wise, kind adult talking directly to the child.
• Interactive: Includes questions like "What makes you a good friend?" to encourage self-reflection.
• Visual: Bright, expressive illustrations complement the text, making it appealing for early readers.

The book avoids preaching or heavy-handed lessons, instead fostering natural curiosity about friendships.

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While many children’s books about friendship focus on surface-level kindness, All About Friends goes deeper by exploring:

• Empathy: Understanding how others feel, even when it’s hard.
• Boundaries: It’s okay to say no or take breaks from friends.
• Resilience: Friendships change, and that’s normal.
• Self-Worth: You don’t have to change yourself to fit in.

These themes are handled with care, making the book useful for parents and educators who want to discuss emotional intelligence.

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As someone who grew up shy, I wish I’d had a book like this! Reading it with my niece, I noticed how it sparked her curiosity about her own friendships. She especially loved the section on "What if your friend is upset?"—it gave her concrete ways to respond instead of just saying, "It’ll be okay."

The book also doesn’t shy away from tough topics, like exclusion or bullying, but frames them in a way that empowers kids rather than scaring them.

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Compared to similar books, All About Friends stands out because:

• More Comprehensive: Covers everything from making friends to handling conflicts.
• More Inclusive: Represents diverse friendships (e.g., neurodivergent kids, cultural differences).
• Less Didactic: Feels like a friendly guide, not a lecture.

Books like How to Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown are also great but lean more toward storytelling. All About Friends is more of a handbook, making it a useful reference for kids to revisit.

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✅ Practical Advice: Real-world strategies kids can use immediately.
✅ Beautiful Illustrations: Warm, engaging, and diverse.
✅ Encourages Reflection: Helps kids think about their own behavior.

❌ Not a Bedtime Story: More of a guide than a narrative, so kids looking for a plot might prefer a storybook.
❌ Some Repetition: A few concepts are revisited, but this reinforces learning.

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• Ages 5-10: Perfect for early readers or as a read-aloud with parents.
• Parents & Teachers: Great for starting conversations about social skills.
• Kids Who Struggle Socially: Offers gentle, non-judgmental guidance.

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"Friendships are like gardens—they need care and kindness to grow."

"It’s okay if you and your friend like different things. What matters is how you treat each other."

These lines capture the book’s warm, nurturing tone.

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All About Friends is one of those rare children’s books that balances fun, education, and emotional depth. Whether your child is navigating their first friendships or needs help resolving conflicts, this book offers wisdom in a way that feels supportive, not preachy.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

Discussion Questions for Readers:

• What’s one thing you learned about friendship from this book?
• How do you handle disagreements with friends?
• Do you think books like this help kids more than just telling them to "be nice"?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below! 📚💬

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