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How to Lose All Your Friends

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With exuberant pictures and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, the author of I Like Me! takes a light-hearted look at bratty behavior that will have children laughing in recognition while learning exactly how not to behave. Colored-pencil illustrations throughout.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

5 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Carlson

91 books50 followers

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5 stars
111 (34%)
4 stars
97 (29%)
3 stars
79 (24%)
2 stars
21 (6%)
1 star
16 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Kirsten.
401 reviews7 followers
September 30, 2011
This reverse etiquette book advises readers in a mock “self help” style. Author Nancy Carlson provides simple instructions/rules for readers to follow if they don’t “Want to Lose All Your Friends. Each "rule" offers specific examples and is illustrated with crudely drawn cartoon pictures. While children are always interested in stories showing the complications and potential pitfalls of social interactions, this plotless treatment is not likely to hold much appeal for them.

Also, it's unfortunate that "tattling" is presented as undesirable. Granted, most of the behaviors are common home and school behaviors children know about and are told to avoid. Tattling, though, is a bad choice to present as a misbehavior. youngsters do need to know that there are situations in which "telling" is perfectly acceptable. In other words, despite Carlson's opinion, not all behaviors are black and white.
Profile Image for Marcia.
3,794 reviews15 followers
August 14, 2011
A very funny reminder of what it takes to be a good friend. This would be a great addition to a lesson on social skills. (And a good reminder to adults: if you want to lose your friends remember to frown, whine and eat all the cookies!)
2,727 reviews
Read
March 3, 2024
My extroverted 6 year old was fascinated by this book, which seemed to exemplify his worst nightmares.
3 reviews
December 23, 2016
He lost all his friends because he didn't not share that's not fair my daddy said but I just don't know what your friend either .. . Period. Period. Now Caponero cannot speak to the founders that I was unique because I'm just dancing blah blah didn't imagine a girl like a girl like a dancing money because I'm just Dencenta look at most things interesting in our accountant and Gailbreath stinks 16 Saintsing, Robert you have dog breath you have dog breath yes you are bobos yes yes yes dog breath mouth single single single single dance dance dance dance Didapper on my chica Pottee talk diaperless Chihuahua Oakland and it was so adorable, I wanted to have a booth because babies are so cute and I think a Chihuahua will be nothing nothing about you got Chinga Chickapay Tebichi Gobbo nevermind I'm on my number I want PJV learning management amendment
3 reviews
September 25, 2011
This book was silly and fun. It showed how to be a friend, by showing what would happen if you did the opposite. I think kids would really learn from this because the character is so easy to relate to and then in the end she ends up changing her mind and being a good friend. The pictures were funny and the suggestions were even funnier. I thought it was great if you're trying to show a child how one should treat a friend.
157 reviews
November 13, 2011
This book was silly and fun. It showed how to be a friend, by showing what would happen if you did the opposite. I think kids would really learn from this because the character is so easy to relate to and then in the end she ends up changing her mind and being a good friend. The pictures were funny and the suggestions were even funnier. I thought it was great if you're trying to show a child how one should treat a friend.
Profile Image for Andrew Karl.
9 reviews
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May 17, 2013
Unfortunately, This book might not be for everyone. Only a select groups of kids would be able to relate to this book. The illustrations dont always utilize vibrant colors and the characters usually have a of putting stature with a frown on their face. In a way, the abstract images can be of putting for some. Kids want friends, and teaching them at a very young age how not to act, may condition them to be more friendly and outgoing.
Profile Image for Jenna.
149 reviews4 followers
October 11, 2012
At first, this book would not seem ideal to read to young children. After I read it, I knew that it would be worthy of doing so. This would be ideal for the bully child. It shows what happens when you are mean to others. The illustrations show real life situations that many children could relate to.
34 reviews
April 12, 2013
I feel like this is a very good book to teach young children compariosn; right from wrong, and the correct way they should behave. The illustration in this book is great. I really like the way they showed the facial expressions of the "rude child" and of the "friends."

HAVE KIDS HELP YOU WRITE A PLAY BASED ON THE BOOK AND THEN THEY CAN REACT IT
288 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2011
I would use this book to talk about the behaviors that are not appropriate in the classroom. I would then have the students do a writing activity about the kinds of behaviors that are appropriate and how to respect our classmates.
106 reviews
August 30, 2012
I feel as though this book showed may ways to not make friends, but it felt as though it needed to show how to make friends at the end. The pictures did not do this book justice. I would not recommend reading this book to my students.
Profile Image for Elizabeth S.
1,886 reviews78 followers
November 5, 2013
A fun book, in a reverse-psychology way. Not as useful for toddlers and other kids who still take everything at face value. For the K to 2nd grade crowd, the book is a lower-pressure way to bring up a discussion on empathy and thinking of others.
959 reviews2 followers
May 24, 2016
Some of my students used it for their language class because it is an excellent example of the "Step up to Writing" format. It is also a good social story that shows inappropriate behavior to start a discussion on how to be a friend.
Profile Image for Anthony.
7,251 reviews31 followers
April 20, 2018
A book with tips on how to lose all of your friends, by not sharing, never smiling, always frowning, being cranky, gloomy, bullying, tattling, playing mean tricks, and whining about everything. If you follow these tips, you will lose all of your friends, and end up all alone.
Profile Image for Nicole.
27 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2008
Very good, goes over the opposite of how you should act around peers regarding sharing and how to treat others. Kindergarten
Profile Image for Christy.
113 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2010
A great book to read to students in the begining of school for behavior. This book great for explaining to kids that things "Not" to do if you want friends. The pictures are great!
Profile Image for Danielle.
98 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2011
A funny book that is great to read aloud to the class with a lot of emotion and sarcasm. Teaches kids ways to be good friends and classmates. K-2
Profile Image for Laura.
204 reviews1 follower
December 1, 2013
Health box
What not to do if you want friends .
Basic, for discussions.
128 reviews14 followers
June 30, 2014
Perfect book! I read it to my students today and they loved it! They grasped the concept of how to be a bad friend, so now I hope they start being better friends.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,062 reviews12 followers
March 13, 2019
If I could give this higher than 5/5 I would.
Profile Image for Kim Bogren Owen.
Author 3 books7 followers
January 17, 2017
This is a great book to drive home how negative behaviors can mean losing friends. A very fun look at what not to do. Children will love giving ideas for the what to do.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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