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

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

  • Downloads:8677
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-09-21 01:21:19
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Christina Furnival
  • ISBN:1683734262
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

How can I help my child deal with a bully?
What do I teach them about handling an on-again-off-again, not-so-friendly friend?
My advice to “just be kind” isn’t helping, and my child is still hurting。

Christina Furnival, a licensed mental health therapist and mom, helps answer these questions in this charming and engaging rhyming story about a young child who successfully navigates the complexities of an unkind peer relationship。

In The Not-So-Friendly Friend, children will learn an easy and practical lesson about how to firmly and assertively – yet kindly – stand up for themselves in the face of a bully。 By teaching children about the importance and value of setting boundaries for healthy friendships, this book provides children the tools they need to foster their social confidence and emotional well-being。

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Reviews

Vivian Ardennisia

Sooooo I'm reading all these picture books I got from Kindle Unlimited。 loved it。 Sooooo I'm reading all these picture books I got from Kindle Unlimited。 loved it。 。。。more

Amy Bell

The Not-So-Friendly Friend is a must read for anyone who interacts with others。 This book shows kids how to deal with others that might not be the nicest or is just a downright bully。 This book gives language for kids to use that will help create boundaries to protect themselves and let the other person know that they won'e be able to run all over them。 I highly recommend this book for any kid that is in any type of school or social situation。 Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review th The Not-So-Friendly Friend is a must read for anyone who interacts with others。 This book shows kids how to deal with others that might not be the nicest or is just a downright bully。 This book gives language for kids to use that will help create boundaries to protect themselves and let the other person know that they won'e be able to run all over them。 I highly recommend this book for any kid that is in any type of school or social situation。 Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book for my honest opinion。 。。。more

Kate MacDonald

This story is realistic and practical for young children navigating challenges in peer relationships。 I find many childrens' media has a plot line showing that every problem ends up solved, which sets false expectations。 I liked that The Not So Friendly Friend demonstrated two critical lessons: sometimes we get bad outcomes despite doing everything "right," and that we can be respectful and kind but *set boundaries* with people who do not treat appropriately。As a psychologist who works with kids This story is realistic and practical for young children navigating challenges in peer relationships。 I find many childrens' media has a plot line showing that every problem ends up solved, which sets false expectations。 I liked that The Not So Friendly Friend demonstrated two critical lessons: sometimes we get bad outcomes despite doing everything "right," and that we can be respectful and kind but *set boundaries* with people who do not treat appropriately。As a psychologist who works with kids, I know that children are often told that they should be friend with everyone, which does not give any realistic guidance on what to do when someone clearly is being unkind or unfair。 The Not so Friendly Friend provides a simple and appropriate explanation for young ones to respond to this challenge。 Well done。 。。。more

Randy

Great tool for therapists and teachersAs a licensed clinical social worker, teaching young kids about healthy boundaries and good social skills is an everyday task。 This book will be incorporated into my sessions on this topic to help young kids understand that it is okay to set boundaries。

Judy Li

This is such a wonderful book that I’d highly recommend to every child。 The story is easy to read and follow with great rhymes。 The message behind the story is so important to empower children today about how to deal with bullying or unfriendly classmates。 The illustration are as beautiful as the story!

S。 E。

THE NOT-SO-FRIENDLY FRIEND by Christina Furnival is a sweet story about loving ourselves enough to set boundaries and standing up for ourselves and tackles these important topics in a charming way。 Couple that with the fantastic illustrations and you have a winner。

Tia Perkin

How does one handle a frenemy?So much of the traditional wisdom on the subject ("just walk away", "ignore them") does not address the nuance of navigating real-life relationships。 This book, however, offers an elegant solution: draw some boundaries。 Do not *allow* a so-called friend to treat you poorly, but welcome them they treat you right。 This is such an important skill for children and adults alike。 So simple。 So smart。 All in one beautifully illustrated, well written book。 I highly recommen How does one handle a frenemy?So much of the traditional wisdom on the subject ("just walk away", "ignore them") does not address the nuance of navigating real-life relationships。 This book, however, offers an elegant solution: draw some boundaries。 Do not *allow* a so-called friend to treat you poorly, but welcome them they treat you right。 This is such an important skill for children and adults alike。 So simple。 So smart。 All in one beautifully illustrated, well written book。 I highly recommend! 。。。more

Jill Siegel

THE NOT-SO-FRIENDLY-FRIEND is a wonderful picture book with an essential lesson for kids about setting boundaries。 The lovely illustrations by Katie Dwyer complement a story about a girl whose “friend” mistreats her and who learns to stand up for herself in a positive healthy way。 You can tell that this story is written by a licensed mental health therapist who is an expert in sustaining healthy relationships。 The perfect read-aloud to foster important conversations about asserting yourself, fri THE NOT-SO-FRIENDLY-FRIEND is a wonderful picture book with an essential lesson for kids about setting boundaries。 The lovely illustrations by Katie Dwyer complement a story about a girl whose “friend” mistreats her and who learns to stand up for herself in a positive healthy way。 You can tell that this story is written by a licensed mental health therapist who is an expert in sustaining healthy relationships。 The perfect read-aloud to foster important conversations about asserting yourself, friendships, and more。 。。。more

Kristina Nearchou

I love the simple clear message in this book about friendships and boundaries。 This book will definitely be on my September read-aloud list every year。 I love the rhyming sing-song vibe of the book and can imagine my students re-reading this story often。 This book will be a great classroom resource to help children navigate how to stand up and say I don't like how you are treating me you can go on your way if you are not going to be kind。 Lots of great conversation starters at the end of the boo I love the simple clear message in this book about friendships and boundaries。 This book will definitely be on my September read-aloud list every year。 I love the rhyming sing-song vibe of the book and can imagine my students re-reading this story often。 This book will be a great classroom resource to help children navigate how to stand up and say I don't like how you are treating me you can go on your way if you are not going to be kind。 Lots of great conversation starters at the end of the book that educators and parents will appreciate。 5 stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 。。。more

Lisa Bournelis

As sweet rhyming story, with a profound message。 In a world where children find themselves on the receiving end of bullying, this simple / child friendly story empowers young readers to find constructive and positive ways to set boundaries with those who may not be reciprocating in an appropriate manner。 I love the illustrations and the positive messages - particularly the piece at the end giving therapists and parents advise on how to use this book。 As a parent to a sensitive child, I also deep As sweet rhyming story, with a profound message。 In a world where children find themselves on the receiving end of bullying, this simple / child friendly story empowers young readers to find constructive and positive ways to set boundaries with those who may not be reciprocating in an appropriate manner。 I love the illustrations and the positive messages - particularly the piece at the end giving therapists and parents advise on how to use this book。 As a parent to a sensitive child, I also deeply appreciate the positive empowerment of the message - that if the bully will not play appropriately, they are welcome to move on their own way。 。。。more

Carolyn Dubisch

A sweet children's book told in verse。 A little girl learns that when your heart is open and you are kind you will make friends, but not everyone else is kind。 She has to set boundaries and protect herself。 The illustrations in this book are just beautiful as well as the design。 The message is one every child will learn and learning it through a beautiful picture book like this is the best way。 Pick this one up for your child or classroom, it's invaluable。 A sweet children's book told in verse。 A little girl learns that when your heart is open and you are kind you will make friends, but not everyone else is kind。 She has to set boundaries and protect herself。 The illustrations in this book are just beautiful as well as the design。 The message is one every child will learn and learning it through a beautiful picture book like this is the best way。 Pick this one up for your child or classroom, it's invaluable。 。。。more

RoshReviews

As parents, we tell our children to be kind and friendly with everyone。 But in the course of giving this advice, we tend to forget that there are bullies too in this world。 All of us know at least one bully who doesn’t listen to reason but insists on getting things their way。 For children (and adults), a bully is difficult to deal with。 That’s where this book steps in。 The biblical adage of “Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you” is something I firmly believe in。 The child in th As parents, we tell our children to be kind and friendly with everyone。 But in the course of giving this advice, we tend to forget that there are bullies too in this world。 All of us know at least one bully who doesn’t listen to reason but insists on getting things their way。 For children (and adults), a bully is difficult to deal with。 That’s where this book steps in。 The biblical adage of “Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you” is something I firmly believe in。 The child in this story also follows the same approach。 She is sweet and friendly with everyone。 But despite her best efforts, one of the children always fights with her。 After trying harder and speaking with her parents, she realises that she needs to set some boundaries not just for herself but in how she allows others to treat her。 The idea of the book is great, the execution is phenomenal。 The author is a mother and a licensed mental health therapist, and she uses both these experiences to convey a highly practical message to kind children who get disheartened when their efforts aren’t reciprocated。 The setting up of friendship boundaries is not a common topic in parent-child conversations。 So this book is a much-needed one。 What I also loved is how the author focussed on the child’s feelings of ineptitude when the bully didn’t respond to her kind gestures in an accepting way。 This is what usually happens with sensitive children; they always assume that the fault is their own。 But the book puts across the point very clearly that beyond a level, we need to say “I’m done!” This is a lesson worth remembering for adults too。I am slightly apprehensive of how far it will work with physically stronger bullies。 There are always kids who use their physical advantage to attack younger/weaker children。 For such cases, I'm sceptical of the effectiveness of the strategy mentioned in the book。 At the same time, the content does say that when the child needs help, they should approach an adult for help。 I hope that sorts out this issue at least a few times without the bullied child being called a tattletale。 There are lovely conversation starters and discussion questions at the end of the book that parents/guardians can refer to in order to have some stimulating chats with their kids。 The book is written in rhythmic verse and it implements the rhythmic style in a lovely sing-song way such that the lines flows smoothly。 So this book would make for a wonderful read-aloud companion。 The font used in the story is a clear non-serif type set to a large size。 The language is very simple。 This also makes it a good independent read for young readers。Absolutely no complaints about the artwork on the cover and the illustrations in this book。 They are beautifully sketched, inclusive and in perfect sync with the text。 All in all, this is a beautifully created book with an equally beautiful message。 Heartily recommended。 4。5 stars from me。Thank you to NetGalley and PESI Publishing, Inc。 for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review。***********************Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever!, for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun。 。。。more

Laura

I thought this was a FANTASTIC book for children, about a very important topic: bullying。 Loved the illustrations and the sing-song poem-type rhythm to the words which made it fun to read out loud。 Also loved the discussion points at the end。 The language is very approachable for the targeted age, and some points that might be slightly over the child's head are further discussed at the end so you can have a conversation with the child about it。 Absolutely would recommend this book。 Thanks to Net I thought this was a FANTASTIC book for children, about a very important topic: bullying。 Loved the illustrations and the sing-song poem-type rhythm to the words which made it fun to read out loud。 Also loved the discussion points at the end。 The language is very approachable for the targeted age, and some points that might be slightly over the child's head are further discussed at the end so you can have a conversation with the child about it。 Absolutely would recommend this book。 Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book。 。。。more

Srivalli Rekha

4 Stars The book is written by a licensed mental health therapist and mom, Christina Furnival。 She uses a simple yet effective story to show that kids should start setting healthy boundaries and assertively deal with bullying。 While I’m not sure how much of it would actually work in real life (some kids can be very aggressive), this book sure is a good place to start teaching about the importance of boundaries。 As someone who believes in this rule, I like how the author introduced the topic to t 4 Stars The book is written by a licensed mental health therapist and mom, Christina Furnival。 She uses a simple yet effective story to show that kids should start setting healthy boundaries and assertively deal with bullying。 While I’m not sure how much of it would actually work in real life (some kids can be very aggressive), this book sure is a good place to start teaching about the importance of boundaries。 As someone who believes in this rule, I like how the author introduced the topic to the younger folk。 Instead of telling kids to simply be nice (which is also perceived as being a pushover), the book shows that one can be assertive and kind。 It’s important to have a healthy friends circle, and that means, saying a firm gentle yet firm no to bullies。Of course, the book should be read by adults and kids。 If adults are unwilling to understand bullying, kids are bound to suffer。 The illustrations are breezy, light, and cheerful。 There’s a set of questions at the end to help start a discussion about setting healthy boundaries。 It’ll encourage adults and kids to take the much-necessary step in the right direction。 I received an ARC from NetGalley and PESI Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review。 #TheNotSoFriendlyFriend #NetGalley 。。。more

Reading_ Tamishly

I love everything about this book。 Even us adults who are reading this to the kids can learn the basic means on how to deal with bullies and bullying。The message is clear。 But also, it's also appropriate in its approach and how it's practical on what it suggests。I appreciate the question and answer towards the end。 It would help a lot in trying to explain regarding bullying and on who's a bully, and how to set a boundary and what to let the bullies know, what's acceptable and what's the limit。Re I love everything about this book。 Even us adults who are reading this to the kids can learn the basic means on how to deal with bullies and bullying。The message is clear。 But also, it's also appropriate in its approach and how it's practical on what it suggests。I appreciate the question and answer towards the end。 It would help a lot in trying to explain regarding bullying and on who's a bully, and how to set a boundary and what to let the bullies know, what's acceptable and what's the limit。Regarding the cover and illustrations, I am quite impressed。 The artwork is really good。 Kudos, artist!Well done。 The team is spectacular!Thank you, author/artist and the publisher, for the advance reading copy。 。。。more

Britt

The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships is such a great picture book! Setting boundaries is so important and something I still struggle with sometimes as an adult。 It makes me wonder if I had a picture book like this one if I would have been better at setting boundaries early on。 Furthermore, the art is nicely done as well making for a great picture book。