How to Be a Friend (Sarah Ayoub, illus Mimi Purnell, HarperCollins)

How to Be a Friend aims to inspire children to be the best friends they can be and teaches them how to recognise true friendship in their lives. In their latest book and third collaboration after The Love that Grew and Nice and Slow, author Sarah Ayoub and illustrator Mimi Purnell use lyrical text and illustrations to explore concepts including the importance of sticking around when we are needed, the gift of inspiring others, the richness of diversity in our society, and the arts of giving and forgiving. This sweet guide also candidly depicts life’s highs and lows, addressing emotions such as frustration and sadness with honesty and openness. Despite the variety of topics covered, the key message is clear: friends help us navigate life’s turmoils more easily. Perhaps the most important lessons here, however, are about respecting boundaries and embracing generosity, which make How to Be a Friend an excellent resource for kids struggling with the concept of sharing, or for those who have just welcomed a new sibling. Recommended for readers aged 3+, this book is perfect for storytelling events at libraries and schools, or for a bedtime story. Even adults can take something away from it; after all, most of us could do with a little reminder about how to be a friend.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Nadia Heisler is an emerging writer with a background in journalism and a passion for children’s books. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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