Book Nook: Growing Friendships - A Kids' Guide to Making and Keeping Friends

For some kids, friendships come naturally. For others, it can be a struggle to understand the nuances of social interactions. I had a chance to review a book from Princeton psychologist and children’s friendships expert Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D. and parenting and health writer Christine McLaughlin: Growing Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to Making and Keeping Friends, a social development primer that gives kids the answers they need.

The book is written for kids. It explains many common issues faced by kids and teens, and uses language that kids can understand but doesn't feel condescending. The cartoons offer visuals that make the scenarios more likely, and even though the right vs. wrong choice is really obvious, it does help kids refine their reactions to common social dilemmas. There is a decent amount of humor to keep the book light, but enough serious advice that it's practical and usable. 

Even kids who do well with friendships can benefit from this book. It includes things about being teased, ending up in a place where everyone is a stranger, and having an argument with a friend. It also does a really good job balancing fitting in with maintaining individuality, and joining groups without butting in.

Good friendships are key to a happy childhood, but they’re not always easy to build or maintain. Research says that first graders keep only about half of their friendships from fall to spring. Fourth-graders maintain about three-quarters of their friendships across the school year. 

This book can help kids make friends, keep friends, and be a good friend to others.