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

This thoughtful rhyming story provides practical tools for children facing friendship challenges, particularly when dealing with inconsistent peers who alternate between kindness and hurtful behavior. Written by a licensed mental health therapist who understands childhood social dynamics, the book moves beyond simplistic "be kind" advice to offer concrete strategies for setting boundaries. Through engaging verse and relatable scenarios, young readers discover how to recognize unhealthy friendship patterns and protect their emotional well-being.

What sets this book apart is its actionable approach to social-emotional learning, teaching children how to confidently use their voice when navigating complicated peer relationships. The therapeutic perspective ensures the guidance is developmentally appropriate while addressing real-world friendship dilemmas that leave many children confused and hurt. Parents seeking resources to help their child build resilience against bullying and establish healthy boundaries will find this story both empowering and immediately applicable to playground politics and classroom interactions.