I Want a Friend!
#1 of 25 in My Little Princess Series
What’s inside...
A new sure-fire winner about the assertive, but endearing, Little Princess. The Little Princess has never been a quiet retiring character at home, so you can confidently expect her opinions and preferences to be widely known within screaming distance. Whatever will the King and Queen do with her? And just how forgiving and tolerant will the Maid, the Admiral and the Prime Minister manage to be? Not forgetting Gilbert, the most long-suffering (and gymnastic!) teddy bear in the world, nor the Palace Cats, who threatened to leave home once before. The Little Princess can't wait to start school! At first, she finds it difficult to make friends and she is left all alone. But she soon finds there are other children with no friends, and before she knows it she has more friends than she can count!
Discussion points
How did the little princess feel when she was looking for a friend?
What do you think makes someone a good friend?
Why do you think the little princess struggled to find a friend at first?
How did the little princess's feelings change throughout the story?
What would you do if you were in the little princess's situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the little princess, which will help your child understand her feelings.
Pause after moments of conflict or resolution in the story to ask your child how they think the characters are feeling.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking if they have ever felt similar to the little princess.
Discuss the importance of friendship and what qualities make someone a good friend, encouraging your child to reflect on their own friendships.
Highlight the resolution of the story and discuss with your child how problems can be solved with understanding and kindness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The Value of Friendship
Explanation: In 'I Want a Friend!', the main character experiences the ups and downs of making new friends at school, highlighting the importance of companionship.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the significance of forming bonds with their peers, which aids in their social development and emotional support.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Rejection
Explanation: The Little Princess faces rejection in her attempts to make friends, teaching resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to cope with rejection and keep trying, building character and determination in social situations and beyond.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book portrays the Little Princess's journey to understanding her peers' feelings and viewpoints, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp the importance of considering others' emotions and perspectives, essential for nurturing compassionate relationships.
Example Lesson: Celebration of Individuality
Explanation: The narrative encourages the Little Princess to appreciate the unique qualities of her new friends.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to celebrate differences, teaching them to appreciate and respect diverse perspectives and personalities in their community.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to New Environments
Explanation: As the Little Princess navigates a new school setting, she learns to adapt to new social dynamics.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be flexible and adjust to new environments, such as transitioning to new schools or meeting new groups of people.