How to Cheer Up a Friend

by Stephanie Calmenson, Shannon McNeill (illustrator)

What do you do when your friend feels blue? This gentle and encouraging rhyming picture book tells a story of all the things you can do to help cheer them up.If your friend is feeling down, do you tickle his trunk to get him out of his funk? Give him a treat—or two or ten? See if he feels better then? A child and his best elephant buddy navigate the many ways to support a pal who’s feeling sad. They learn that the best ways to help are being there for your friend, listening to their troubles, and then, when they’re ready, offering a big hug.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Storytime, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Stephanie Calmenson's many popular titles include concept books, funny school stories, poetry collections, books about dogs and, with Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole, anthologies and beginning reader chapter books.

Stephanie's books have been called "marvelous" (PW), "lyrical" (SLJ), "hilarious" (SLJ), "sweet, funny, and right on the mark" (Booklist).

Before turning to writing, Stephanie was a teacher, a children's book editor, and Editorial Director of Parents Magazine's Read-Aloud Book Club.

Website: my link text

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps you know a friend who could use a hug? May I suggest a hug in the form of a book? Author Stephanie Calmenson and illustrator Shannon McNeill have fashioned the needed hug on the pages of How to Cheer Up a Friend. With a gentle, warm palette and gentle, respectful, rhyming text, the book opens, “What do you do when your friend feels blue?” For children or adults, this is the right book to read aloud, to engender a discussion, to remind listeners of the vital importance of cheering up a friend.

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations and nice text teach us some of the ways we can try to cheer up a friend. The friend doing the attempted cheering starts out a little pushy and assumes a few methods, but I like how they back off and sort of allow the friend to take the lead (goes for a walk with them and allows the friend to talk and talk and talk, while they listen). After the talking is done, the friend again offers treats and a hug, which are both accepted.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-1st grade
Emotions: Anger, sadness

Your friend may not be receptive to what may cheer you up and that's okay, let it go and try something else. While Elephant doesn't want snacks or a bubble bath, they do want to talk and let their feelings out. A simple and effective how-to guide for supporting a friend.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition for elementary collections where friendship, listening, and kindness is discussed. I like McNeil's illustrations, especially the bubble bath and the feelings expressed by the elephant.

Simply fun!

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pair with The Rabbit Listened.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Friendship, Sadness, Comfort

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated children's book. I was attracted mainly because of the elephant.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute instructions on how to cheer up a friend. Appropriate for lowest grades

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

good. discussion about friends and understanding, and about boundaries.

[allison perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great book about friendship and how to be a good friend to others!