How To Mend a Friend

A heartfelt picture book that explains empathy, told in simple words. Some friends need a great big hug to make them feel well. Some prefer to be alone. Some listen, others tell the most adventurous stories of the times that went before! Some friends may not want to talk about them anymore. How to Mend a Friend is a heartfelt picture book which touches on empathy, loss and friendship. At times, we all feel a little bit broken. Karl's simple text is a guide on How to Mend a Friend, whether it's a friend with a broken toy, a broken heart, a loss they can't explain or the sadness that comes when someone else eats the last cookie. Featuring a child and an imaginary animal friend, children will find it easy to relate to the story throughout, whilst learning how they might support a friend who feels sad.

About the Author :
Karl Newson is an award-winning children's book author. He spends his days scribbling story ideas in his notebook or searching for them in the great big world outdoors. Karl was inspired to write his first picture book when his children were small and he's been writing stories ever since... His stories have been shortlisted for numerous children's books awards and are translated in over 20 languages around the world. He is also an illustrator of other people's stories and a writer of nonsense poetry. When he isn't writing or drawing, he dreams of castles made of books and of rocketing to the moon to watch the world go by. Karl lives in London, with his partner and a forest of pot plants. Clara would draw on every surface she could find (including some very unhappy tortoises) whilst growing up in the Seychelles. She has always had a fond love for animals and creating characters with subtle gentle humour. Using a mixture of traditional techniques, ranging from monoprinting to pencil marks, Clara enjoys creating narrative images and a sense of place in limited colour palettes. After studying BA illustration at Falmouth University, she went on to complete a MA Children's Illustration course at Anglia Ruskin, which helped her gain personal voice, inspiration and motivation.

Review :
This book explores the differences amongst us all. It shows us how important it is to recognise what each and every one of us prefers in friendships, what kind of friends we are and that it's ok to enjoy doing certain things with some friends and not with others. The beautiful rhyming style adopted by this story will let you flow seamlessly through the book as you read it out loud to children. The story provides perfect discussion opportunities surrounding our own and our friends' preferences; reflecting on ways in which we are difference and accepting these differences as what makes us all unique. A few lovely and thought-provoking quotes from the story that stuck with me: 'Some friends say a flower helps a heart that has an ache. Some prefer an ice-cream or a homemade chocolate cake.' and 'Some friends will grow old with you. Some may come and go. Some will teach you things about yourself you didn't know.' Karl Newson's touching picture book explores how different people react in difficult times. With simple but poetic text, it gives even very young children insights into friendship and empathy. The book explores differences between people, the nature of friendship - why some friendships are there forever and others don't stay the course. Clara Anganuzzi's illustrations are comforting and evocative, and there's extra poignancy in a story that was inspired by the author's own experience of dark times during illness - and the friends and supporters who helped mend him. How to Mend a Friend is illustrated by the brilliant Clara Anganuzzi, who took my words and brought them to life, giving each line a feel and a vibe of its own, making each and every moment understandable and making it a story we could share with everyone.