Andrea Armstrong – illustratör

Friendship is important—and life would be so dull without it!

Friendships are essential for social-emotional learning and mental health, but sometimes children struggle with making and keeping friendships. In The Friendship Guide, child psychologist Jillian Roberts outlines central ideas on how to be the best friend you can be. Alongside each of the principles is a scenario showing how it relates to real life—at the playground, at the park, at school or on a playdate. For parents, guardians and kids themselves, it can be difficult to recognize what makes friendships work. With this book, readers will have a comforting and straightforward resource to help guide them toward a lifetime of beautiful friendships.

Praise for Jillian Roberts:

"This book handles a sensitive topic with kindness, compassion, and empathy...A good beginning look at how to broach a complicated topic that's filled with positivity and hope."—Booklist, for On the News

"Gentle but straightforward...[A] reassuring backdrop for the big questions being discussed." —Publishers Weekly, for What Happens When a Loved One Dies?

"A cheery and buoyant introduction to timely and imperative topics for young readers; especially useful in a guidance setting."—School Library Journal, for Under Our Clothes

From award-winning author Heather Smith, a sweet and relatable story about the relationship between two brothers … and their bunk bed.

Every night at bedtime, a little boy’s older brother climbs into the top bunk of their bed and taunts, “I’m the king of the castle, and you’re the dirty rascal.” As annoying as this is for the little brother, his big brother also provides a sense of security. Sometimes in the dark, the little brother will startle awake. “You there?” he will whisper. “I’m here, Rascal. Now go to sleep,” his brother will whisper back. As time passes, his brother starts going out more with his friends. And then leaves for camp. And, suddenly, the boy is left to ponder how it feels to be without his brother in the bunk bed, and in his life.

This touching story by multi-award-winning author Heather Smith movingly conveys the complicated feelings a child has for their older sibling. The bunk bed offers a perfect metaphor for the sibling relationship, one looking up and one looking down, the older one irritating the younger one with his big brother status while also making him feel safe. Illustrations by Andrea Armstrong complement the emotional tone of the story, with the younger boy’s expressive face at the center of many of the scenes. This endearing book will resonate with readers of all types, younger and older siblings, children and adults alike. Offering a unique look at how siblings’ relationships change as they get older, the book can also prompt discussions with young children about their relationships with family members. It’s an excellent representation of growth mindset and works for character-education lessons on adaptability and courage.