How to Lose All Your Friends (Picture Puffins)
on Goodreads (323)
What’s inside...
Offers advice on the kinds of things to do if you don't want to have any friends. With exuberant pictures and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, the author provides a playful guide on how to repel potential friends. A tongue-in-cheek look at bratty behavior explains how children can lose all their friends by never smiling, never sharing, and always whining whenever they do not get their own way.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the character acted that way?
How would you feel if someone did that to you?
What are some kinder ways to handle situations?
Can you think of a time when you could have used one of the kinder actions?
What do you think makes a good friend?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use examples from the book to discuss the consequences of negative behaviors.
Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the friendships depicted in the book.
Highlight the importance of empathy by asking how they would feel in similar situations.
Praise your child for considering alternative, positive ways to handle conflicts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: The book humorously presents behaviors that would make someone lose friends, such as being mean or not sharing, which inversely highlights the importance of being kind and considerate.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their toys and playing cooperatively with others, fostering positive relationships and inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Recognizing social cues
Explanation: Through its satirical approach, the book indirectly teaches children to recognize negative social behaviors and cues.
Real-World Application: This awareness can help a child in navigating social interactions more effectively, understanding when their actions might not be socially acceptable and adjusting accordingly.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: By showcasing behaviors that drive friends away, the book underscores the value of maintaining good friendships through positive actions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to nurture friendships by being supportive, honest, and trustworthy, which are essential skills for building long-lasting relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The negative behaviors are shown to lead to loneliness, teaching kids that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their choices impact their connections with others, encouraging them to make positive decisions in their interactions.