Book Review // THE NOT-SO-FRIENDLY FRIEND by Christina Furnival & Katie Dwyer

Title: The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships

Author: Christina Furnival

Illustrator: Katie Dwyer

Publisher: PESI Publishing & Media

Audience: Children

Genre: Picture Book Nonfiction

Pages: 46

Originally Published: November 14, 2021

My Rating: 5 stars ✰✰✰✰✰

I received an advanced ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for review. Setting boundaries with people who make you feel bad is a necessary, but extremely difficult, skill to learn, but this book approaches the topic in a very accessible and clear way. This book tells the story of a kind, friendly little girl who realizes that no matter how nice you are to people, it doesn’t mean they will always treat you with the same respect and kindness. When the little girl comes up against a bully who repeatedly tries to put her down despite all her efforts to be their friend, she realizes that she needs to set boundaries for her relationship with that child. The author, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, masterfully illustrates how this can be done, simply and effectively. I honestly wish that I had read a story like this when I was younger, the line “‘cause someone who loves you won’t make you feel small” really summed it up so succinctly. On top of the important message, the illustrations in the book are just gorgeous, I love the combination of watercolor washes with delicate ink detailing. “The Not-So-Friendly Friend” is a must-read for parents on starting the conversation with your little ones about setting boundaries. It also features a section at the end for parents & professionals, with important information about the benefits of setting boundaries for a child’s self-worth and self-respect, as well as suggestions for how to start a conversation with your child. This book is an important addition to any library’s children’s collection.

This review was originally posted on Goodreads.com.