Making New Friends [Hardcover]

Jacqueline H. Blumenstock (Author), David C. Pool (Author), Colleen M. Madden (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A book that captivates children and makes them want to read! In "Making New Friends" a boy named TJ moves into a new neighborhood and leaves his old friends behind. Despite his mother's encouragement, he is hesitant about meeting the boys across the street at the park. While playing with one of the moving boxes, TJ is surprised when the box comes to life. Browny explains that he is there because of TJ's imagination and wants to be his friend. Children (and their parents) will enjoy discovering how Browny helps TJ develop self-confidence and make new friends.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A big brown box holds all sorts of possibilities for an imaginative child. I highly recommend this book." -- Betsy B. Lee , Learning Abilities Books

"It is the perfect story to share with the kindergarten students when they come to visit first grade." -- Ms. A. Brueck, First Grade Teacher.

"Making New Friends" beautifully addresses this challenge. Young readers will find it interesting. I highly recommend it." -- Cheryl McCann, Editor, Review Books

"Making New Friends’ treats the corrugated box not as a commodity, but as a pathway to adventure and elevates it." -- Jim Curley, Editor of NV Publications

"This is a great book for any military child." -- Tara E Crooks, Host Army Wife Talk Radio

A lovely story, heartwarming and timely in this day and age. I'm looking forward to the next Browny Adventure. -- Mary Lou Payton, M.ED School Pyschologist, Licensed Educational Psychologist

An imaginative and instructive story. Browny is the beginning of a friendship that will charm children of all ages! -- BAB, Retired Elementary School Teacher

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

TJ looks out the window of his new house. The moving truck had just pulled away and he could see the park across the street where kids were playing. "It's a great day outside," he heard Mom say from the doorway. "Why don't you go out and play with some of the kids in our new neighborhood?" TJ sighed, "maybe later, Mom. Right now I just want to get some more of my toys out and play in my new room." "OK, a lot of your toys are in the big brown box by your closet," Mom said as she left to do more unpacking. TJ looked sad as he walked away from the window saying quietly to himself, "Who would want to play with me anyway? I'll never make new friends here. All my friends are at my old house."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Big Brown Box, Inc. (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976464713
• ISBN-13: 978-0976464716
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,591,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making New Friends, May 5, 2005

By 

Bob "RCP19446" (Lansdale, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making New Friends (Hardcover)

Rarely does a children's book combine a charming character, a good story and a geography lesson as successfully as Making New Friends.

Children of any age can relate to the anxiety of moving to a new neighborhood. The character Brownie Big Box reassures and inspires TJ to make new friends and helps him realize that imagination can help overcome the uncertainty of a new situation.

Beautifully illustrated, the book is just the right length to hold a young reader's interest. The "Did you know?" pages at the front and back of the book offer a few simple facts about the locations that Brownie Big Box visits.

As a parent, it's refreshing to find a book that stimulates your child's imagination. The real prize, however, is the lesson he or she will learn about making new friends .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars there are better books to help your kids, November 15, 2007

By 

Lisa P. (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making New Friends (Hardcover)

I wouldn't recommend this book. This book does acknowledge that moving can be hard for kids, especially the aspect of leaving your friends and trying to make new ones. However, we found the message to be strange. The child makes friends with a talking moving box who later turns into a toy. The neighborhood children aren't nice and only befriend him because of this cool toy. There are better books. If you only buy one book I recommend The Playdate Kids--Danny is Moving by Annie Thiel, PhD.

4.0 out of 5 stars For all children who are moving!, October 20, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making New Friends (Hardcover)

It's often difficult for children to move. Because we are such a mobile society, it often means they are also moving to new schools and are making new friends.

TJ's family has moved, and he's feeling sad that he's left his friends and all that is familiar to him. He watches the neighborhood boys playing but doesn't want to join them.

He begins to play with the big brown box that housed his toys during the move and is amazed that it comes to life and begins to talk and play with him. The talking box is in TJ's imagination but it helps him gain the confidence he needs to step out and make new friends.

Making New Friends is a wonderful addition to a child's library, whether they are moving to a new residence or find themselves in new surroundings where they have to meet new people.

The illustrations are attractive and will appeal to children and parents alike. This is a book for parents to read to their children because of all the text. I believe it's appropriate for children 4 to 9.

Armchair Interviews says: If you're going to move and have young children, this book can help with the transition.