Making Friends
Making Friends Series
What’s inside...
Seventh grade is proving to be a challenging year for Danielle as she navigates a new school, different friend groups, and adjusting to change. When she inherits a magical sketchbook from her great aunt, she draws Madison, an ideal best friend who comes to life. However, managing friendships isn't straightforward, and soon, Danielle and Madison face conflicts. Adding to the chaos, Danielle sketches her favorite cartoon villain, Prince Neptune, who also comes to life and creates havoc during a school event. Danielle and Madison must overcome their differences to stop him and learn important lessons about relationships. A baby plays with cloth, thread, buttons, and other materials while his pregnant mother is using them to make a doll for him.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-2
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes someone a good friend?
How did the characters in the book show friendship to each other?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like the characters in the story?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the characters?
How do you feel when you make new friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in your child's responses to make them feel heard and valued.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their real-life experiences, which can help deepen their understanding and connection to the themes.
Praise your child’s thoughts and insights during the conversation to boost their confidence in expressing their opinions.
Use the book’s illustrations to point out emotions or actions that can lead to a broader discussion about friendship.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and exploration of the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of sharing
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Making Friends' learns to share her toys and snacks with her new friends, promoting a sense of happiness and togetherness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their belongings with classmates or siblings, helping to foster a collaborative and generous spirit.
Example Lesson: Valuing differences
Explanation: The book portrays characters from diverse backgrounds coming together, teaching children to appreciate individual differences and unique perspectives.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace diversity in their own communities, learning to interact with and learn from people who may look or think differently from themselves.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: Through interactions among the characters, 'Making Friends' demonstrates peaceful conflict resolution techniques when disagreements arise.
Real-World Application: Children can use these strategies to handle disputes at school or in play, promoting peaceful and respectful problem-solving.
Example Lesson: Building self-confidence
Explanation: The protagonist’s journey in making new friends boosts her confidence as she navigates social interactions successfully.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children feel more confident in initiating conversations and making new friends in unfamiliar settings.