Who Needs Friends?

A parent might reach for this book when their child expresses a reluctance to make friends or seems to be retreating into solitude after a social setback. It's for the child who says, 'I don't need friends,' but whose loneliness you can feel. The story follows Chloe, a girl who, after feeling left out, decides she's better off with her imaginary friends: a lamp, a plant, and a rock. When a new girl, Mei, moves in next door, Chloe must navigate her own self-imposed walls to discover the joy of real connection. This gentle and beautifully illustrated book validates feelings of shyness and self-protection for children ages 6 to 8. It provides a comforting model for opening up to new people, showing that it is okay to be cautious and that true friendship is worth the risk.