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