You Are Friendly

by Todd Snow, Melodee Strong (Illustrator)

Help young children build social skills with this warm, affirming book. You Are Friendly lets little ones know there are many ways to get along with others. They can invite someone to play, share a snack, be polite, treat animals gently and kindly, offer to help, show compassion, and more. The simple words and colorful illustrations relate to children s everyday lives. An excellent introduction to making and keeping friends.
WINNER! Teachers Choice Award

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Board Book

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great picture book manages to affirm young children's self esteem while also exhorting them to kindness. My three year old students love this book and return to this book over and over. This is the kind of picture book that children immerse themselves in before they are reading words, and love having read aloud because it lends itself to a "call and response" style read. The style helps young readers (pre-readers, emerging readers) commit the prose to memory very quickly. Excellent representation for children of color, and just as valuable for white children. Another reviewer says this book is part of a "you are" series I will track down.

[Meghan]

This book is about how kids can show other kids kindness. This book also shows kids that they have what it takes to be a good person and that they have the skills to build relationships with others. It shows students ways that they can be friendly and kind to others. I think this book would be great to include in the classroom to encourage kindness and getting along.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Ashland Public Library. I picked it because he has really enjoyed the other books in the series, and I like the messaging of them.

He sat and listened to the whole thing and seemed to like looking at the other kiddos. I loved that many of the activities mentioned are things that even he as a two-year-old kid can do.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look at others in the You are important series as well.

Features diversity without the point of the plot being diversity.

[Annie Xu · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Are Friendly is a great read aloud for children. It is an excellent introduction to learning about making and keeping friends. It helps young children build social skills that they can use in their everyday lives. As a result, this book also serves as a great realistic fiction book.
What is great about this book is that it is multi-ethnic. It doesn't just show the stereotypical and traditional "Only" white children that was often used early on. Children of different ethnic backgrounds can use this book and feel connected. It is also written in simple words and the illustrations help tell the story and visualize the acting in how the children can interact with their new friends. It is a great read for introduction.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, repetitive book about being friendly. Good for self confidence.

[Shonna Gnahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple story that captures the meaning of "friendly". A great way to share with students simple ways to be a friend to others through acts of kindness and simple gestures. An awesome way to elicit discussios of friendship and kindness with students.